Daily news summaries

Catch up with RBA's daily birdnews summaries. Browse ten days at a time, or choose a date to read summaries from that day backwards.

Daily summaries are available from 13 April 2006. For earlier weekly reviews, visit our articles.

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Monday 15th September 2008  
  The highlight of the day was the confirmation of a Collared Flycatcher in Fife at Fife Ness. Fist seen yesterday, but not trapped until today, this subtle flycatcher remained into the evening. Elsewhere in Scotland, a Baird's Sandpiper was discovered in Argyll, the Stilt Sandpiper remained on the Western Isles and the Greater Sand Plover showed again in Aberdeenshire. The Shetland Isles hosted a Lanceolated Warbler and two Thrush Nightingales.

In Ireland both Semipalmated Sandpiper and Greenish Warbler were seen in County Cork, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Mayo and Black Duck, American Golden Plover and two Baird's Sandpipers were all in County Kerry. Elsewhere, the Hudsonian Whimbrel remained on the Isles of Scilly, a Red-throated Pipit was reported in East Yorkshire, a White-winged Black Tern lingered in Kent as did three Cattle Egrets in Somerset, and single Great White Egrets were seen in Ceredigion, Devon and Hampshire.

Scarce landbirds comprised 26 Wrynecks, nine Barred Warblers, eight Red-backed Shrikes, five each of Melodious and Yellow-browed Warbler, four Red-breasted Flycatchers, four Common Rosefinches, three Icterine Warblers, two Tawny Pipits, two Ortolan Buntings and single Rose-coloured Starling, Marsh Warbler and Hoopoe.

Migrating Honey Buzzards were again evidence with 47 recorded across 21 counties.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 14th September 2008  
  A very exciting day for bird news with lots of action on the east coast as one would expect in these conditions.

Highlights include a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, trapped and ringed at Spurn, Yorkshire, which was seen a few times after release, a Thrush Nightingale trapped at Holme, Norfolk and a Citrine Wagtail at Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, whilst Shetland produced Arctic Warbler, Lanceolated Warbler, Two-barred Crossbill and Yellow-breasted Bunting. The Greater Sand Plover remained at Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire, and the Western Sandpiper was seen again in County Galway, Ireland. A juvenile Stilt Sandpiper was found on South Uist, Western Isles this afternoon. A Western Bonelli's Warbler was present on Lundy, Devon, this evening, a Fea's Petrel flew past Carnsore Point and Hook Head, County Wexford and a Red-footed Falcon was at Tophill Low NR, Yorkshire.

As yesterday, however, perhaps the most memorable event of the day was the continued passage of Honey Buzzards throughout eastern England, with a few birds in east Scotland, and a small number on the south coast. They started to filter inland, also, with birds being seen as far west as the West Midlands. With scores being reported, it is difficult to estimate numbers, as there will have been duplication of records.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 13th September 2008  
  A Fan-tailed Warbler at Swalecliffe in Kent and Western Sandpiper in Co Galway headlined an exciting September day. In Aberdeenshire, yesterday's Mega Alert, the Greater Sand Plover on the Ythan Estuary remained on show all day. A Great Snipe on Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire and Yellow-breasted Bunting, Lanceolated Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler and Thrush Nightingale on Shetland were all top class discoveries, and in Ireland new waders included a couple of Semipalmated Sandpipers. Northern Ireland's first Citrine Wagtail was at Lough Beg, Co Londonderry and a Red-eyed Vireo was in Co Mayo.

Other new birds included Gull-billed Tern off Swalecliffe, Kent (a consolation prize for those who dipped the Fan-tailed Warbler due to its early afternoon disappearance) and Red-rumped Swallow on Isles of Scilly. In Co Durham the Subalpine Warbler continued its stay in South Shields.

The highlight of the day for many was the major influx of Honey Buzzards on the east coast. Sightings were reported from Aberdeenshire to Hampshire, but Northumberland, Cleveland, Yorkshire and East Anglia enjoyed the lion's share of the action. The most notable counts included at least 18 over Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk, seven over Breydon Water, Norfolk and seven over Bawdsey, Suffolk. This is only the second such influx of this species into Britain, following the well documented arrival of Honey Buzzards in September 2000, when an estimated 500 individuals were logged migrating through Britain.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Friday 12th September 2008  
  The hot news today related to the finding of a Greater Sand Plover on the Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire. The bird was mobile throughout the afternoon, before eventually settling down and showing well this evening. South-easterly winds on Shetland produced Yellow-breasted Bunting on Fetlar and Lanceolated Warbler, Great Snipe and Citrine Wagtail on Mainland. On Fair Isle the Two-barred Crossbill remained in situ.

In Co Durham the Subalpine Warbler remained at South Shields, White-winged Black Terns lingered at Dungeness, Kent and Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire and the Lesser Yellowlegs was seen again on the Eden Estuary, Fife. In Ireland a Lesser Yellowlegs was discovered on The Mullet, Co Mayo, where the Snowy Owl was also seen.

Scarcities included four Buff-breasted Sandpipers, two Melodious Warblers, two Bluethroats, two Icterine Warblers, two Red-backed Shrikes, five Barred Warblers and singles of Hoopoe, Purple Heron and Woodchat Shrike.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Thursday 11th September 2008  
  The Subalpine Warbler in Co Durham headlined the list of lingering rarities, which also included Snowy Owl in Co Mayo, Hooded Merganser in Dorset, Glossy Ibis in West Yorkshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Fife and White-winged Black Terns in Flintshire and Staffordshire. A second White-winged Black Tern joined the long-staying bird at Dungeness, Kent and another White-winged Black made a brief appearance at Stewartby Lake, Bedfordshire.

In Co Kerry an American Golden Plover was discovered at Carrahane Strand, where both Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers were also present. In Northumberland Cresswell Pond hosted a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and two Pectoral Sandpipers, a Short-toed Lark and both Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers visited St Agnes, Isles of Scilly and Melodious Warblers were on Bryher, Isles of Scilly and Portland Bill, Dorset- the Woodchat Shrike also lingered at the latter site.

Seven Dotterels, twelve Wrynecks and a handful of Red-backed Shrikes and Barred Warblers were noted and many Grey Phalaropes lingered, including an impressive flock of at least 100 off Sennen Cove, Cornwall.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Wednesday 10th September 2008  
  Bird of the day was a Fea's Petrel which flew past Galley Head, County Cork this morning, which was the third at this site this year. Elsewhere, a Red-throated Pipit was at Minsmere Suffolk, briefly, a Citrine Wagtail flew over North Ronaldsay, Orkney and a Red-footed Falcon was watched for five minutes at Lenwade, Norfolk.

Lingering rarities comprised Subalpine Warbler in County Durham, Greenish Warbler in Northumberland, single White-winged Black Terns in Flintshire, Staffordshire and Kent, Glossy Ibis in Yorkshire and Lesser Yellowlegs in Fife.

Scarcities included a Woodchat Shrike at Portland, Dorset with a Melodious Warbler and Tawny Pipit at the same site, and a scattering of Common Rosefinches, Wrynecks, Icterine Warblers and Barred Warblers elsewhere.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 9th September 2008  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Paddyfield Warbler on Unst, Shetland Isles. Elsewhere, a Great White Egret flew over Rainham Marshes, London, and in Norfolk an Alpine Swift lingered over Holme Dunes in the evening. A Caspian Stonechat was reported in Dorset at Portland Bill during the morning but could not be relocated.

Lingering rarities comprised the Hudsonian Whimbrel on the Isles of Scilly, Two-barred Crossbill on the Shetland Isles, White-billed Diver on the Orkney Isles, Subalpine Warbler in County Durham, White-winged Black Tern in Kent and single Great White Egrets in both Hampshire and Shropshire. 

Scarce migrant landbirds included seventeen Wrynecks in twelve counties, two each of Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike and Lapland Bunting and single Melodious Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Icterine Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Common Rosefinch.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 8th September 2008  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of many scarce migrant landbirds; principally on the east coast of north England and southern Scotland. Day totals comprised thirty Wrynecks in sixteen counties, 14 Barred Warblers in nine counties, six each of Icterine Warbler and Red-backed Shrike, five Red-breasted Flycatchers and single Ortolan Bunting, Melodious Warbler and Common Rosefinch. Associated rarities included single Greenish Warblers in each of Cleveland, County Durham and Northumberland and the Subalpine Warbler in County Durham.

An Alpine Swift was discovered between Gimingham and Mundesley, Norfolk whilst new arrivals on the Shetland Isles were headlined by a Two-barred Crossbill on Fair Isle and a Citrine Wagtail at Sullom.

Elsewhere, lingering rarities included the Pacific Golden Plover in Dumfries and Galloway, Baird's Sandpiper in County Kerry, Aquatic Warbler in London, Citrine Wagtail on the Shetland Isles, Snowy Owl on the Western Isles, White-billed Diver on the Orkney Isles, Great White Egret in Hampshire, Hooded Merganser in Dorset and single White-winged Black Terns in both Kent and Staffordshire.

Grey Phalaropes remained in evidence in England and Wales with 23 recorded from thirteen counties.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 7th September 2008  
  An impressive East coast arrival of scarce migrants was headlined by a Great Snipe at South Gare, Cleveland, a Subalpine Warbler at South Shields, Co Durham and six Greenish Warblers (four in Northumberland, and singles in Co Durham and Cleveland). Most of the supporting cast also made landfall in Northeast England - plenty of Icterine Warblers and Wrynecks were joined by a few Ortolan Buntings, Barred Warblers, Red-breasted Flycatchers and Red-backed Shrikes.

Away from the East coast, an American Golden Plover in Co Cork, Baird's Sandpipers in Co Kerry and Co Mayo, Red-rumped Swallow in Essex and White-winged Black Tern in Kent were all new discoveries and Pacific Golden Plovers lingered in Dumfries and Galloway and Orkney, the Baird's Sandpiper was still in Cambridgeshire and the juvenile Hudsonian Whimbrel continued to give birders the run around on Isles of Scilly.

Grey Phalaropes continued to grace inland patches, Norfolk seawatchers had a good day, recording a handful of Cory's Shearwaters, Long-tailed Skuas and Sabine's Gulls. A number of juvenile Dotterels (including an especially confiding bird at Newbiggin, Northumberland) were popular and a Red-necked Phalarope remained in Essex.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Saturday 6th September 2008  
  With perfect conditions for a fall, the north-east produced some good birds, with scarce migrants stealing the show. However, just the one rarity was found in the area, a Red-throated Pipit at Tynemouth, Northumberland, but Bluethroat, Ortolan Bunting, Grey-headed Wagtail, three Red-breasted Flycatchers, ten Icterine Warblers and five Barred Warblers, along with good numbers of Wrynecks and the commoner migrants were the supporting cast.

Elsewhere, rarities included a juvenile Hudsonian Whimbrel, present briefly on St Mary's, Scilly, an Aquatic Warbler at Weston sewage works, Somerset, with another still present at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, Pacific Golden Plover at Eastriggs, Dumfries and Galloway and a Baird's Sandpiper at Black Rock Strand, County Kerry. Lingering rarities included the Semipalmated Sandpiper at Dawlish Warren NNR, Devon, White-winged Black Terns in Staffordshire, Kent and Flintshire, Glossy Ibis in Yorkshire, White-billed Diver on Orkney, American Golden Plover in Argyll and Citrine Wagtail on Scilly.

Seabirds were a very big part of today's news as well. At the coast, good numbers of Long-tailed Skuas, Sabine's Gulls and Balearic Shearwaters were seen, and at least 42 Grey Phalaropes were found, including many birds on inland waters.
-  Will Soar, RBA