Wednesday 8th October 2008
	What a day! The highlight was the discovery of Britain's first ever Empidonax flycatcher, either an Alder or Willow Flycatcher in Cornwall. These two species are often inseparable, even in the hand, but observers believe that the Nanjizal bird is most likely to an Alder Flycatcher. Hearing the bird call may well prove to be the key to securing the identify of this incredible Nearctic vagrant. The Common Nighthawk put in a brief appearance on The Lizard early afternoon, and in Co Cork the first-winter male Scarlet Tanager showed well throughout the day at Garinish Point. The Little Blue Heron in Co Galway was also still on show and new Nearctic landbird arrivals included a Grey-cheeked Thrush on Portland, Dorset and a Blackpoll Warbler and at least one Red-eyed Vireo on Isles of Scilly. Keeping on the American theme, an incredible flock of fifteen Ring-necked Ducks were observed on Inishmore, Co Galway. The phenomenal quality of the birds available today resulted in White's Thrushes in Cleveland and on Fair Isle and a Red-headed or Black-headed Bunting in Cornwall being also-rans. A Red-throated Pipit in Cornwall, Siberian Stonechat on Shetland and Lesser Scaup in Berkshire were also discovered and long-stayers included American Buff-bellied Pipit and American Golden Plover on Isles of Scilly, Red-footed Falcon in East Yorkshire, Glossy Ibises in Cambridgeshire and West Yorkshire and Blyth's Reed Warbler in Norfolk.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA