Friday 12th December 2008
	The highlight of the day was an American Buff-bellied Pipit at Lough Beg, County Londonderry. First seen yesterday, the identity was confirmed today as the first record of this species for Northern Ireland. In Warwickshire the identity of a female Lesser Scaup at Lea Marston was clinched, following a three week gestation. Lingering rarities confirmed as present today included King Eider in County Mayo, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Glossy Ibis in Lancashire, Hooded Merganser in Dorset and single Cattle Egrets in both Oxfordshire and Pembrokeshire. Wintering scarcities reported today included three each of Rough-legged Buzzard and Ring-billed Gull, two Black Brants and singles of Night Heron, Snow Goose, Ring-necked Duck, Great Grey Shrike, Yellow-browed Warbler and Lapland Bunting. Waxwings totaled 1,051 birds in nineteen counties including maximums of 325 in Ayrshire, 223 in Lothian, 104 in West Yorkshire and 100 in Cleveland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA