Thursday 5th June 2008
	Breaking news of another Trumpeter Finch was the highlight of a busy day. Initially discovered yesterday evening, but not identified for certain until today, the bird was relocated this evening at Telscombe Cliffs, East Sussex. Elsewhere, tantalising news was received of a Black-browed Albatross lingering off County Galway in Galway Bay, a Thrush Nightingale was new in Suffolk at Minsmere as was a Citrine Wagtail in Powys at Brecon, a Whiskered Tern in Aberdeenshire at Loch of Strathbeg, an American Golden Plover on the Isle of Man at Bride and a Red-rumped Swallow on Whalsay, Shetland Isles. Otherwise, a Black Stork in East Sussex, Black Kite in Berkshire and single Bee-eaters in both Suffolk and West Sussex were all brief encounters Lingering rarities comprised the Lesser Grey Shrike in Northumberland, Black-headed Bunting on the Shetland Isles, both Whiskered Tern and American Golden Plover in Kent, Forster's Tern in County Wexford, Bonaparte's Gull in Highland, American Golden Plover in County Mayo and Great White Egret in Suffolk. Red-footed Falcons were recorded in Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Kent (2), Lothian and Suffolk. Scarcities included six Red-backed Shrikes, two each of Marsh Warbler and Golden Oriole and single Red-spotted Bluethroat, Serin, Common Rosefinch, Icterine Warbler and Hoopoe.
-  Chris Batty, RBA