Sunday 4th January 2009
	In Cleveland the closure of Cowpen Bewley landfill site resulted in significantly fewer gulls visiting the area and consequently the Glaucous-winged Gull failed to make an appearance. The Gyr reappeared on Isles of Scilly, back on St Mary's and in neighbouring Cornwall the Snowy Owl remained on show. Twenty one Cattle Egrets were logged, including birds in Essex and Cheshire, three King Eiders were still available (two in Co Sligo and one in Fife), Lesser Scaups remained in Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan and in Hampshire the Red-breasted Goose continued to frequent the Keyhaven area. A probable Gyr was noted over Yell, Shetland, the Ross's Goose was still in Norfolk, Caerlaverock WWT hosted an impressive selection of scarcities (the drake American Wigeon and both Cackling and Taverner's Canada Geese) but in Northamptonshire the adult drake Falcated Duck at Earls Barton was unfortunately seen to be sporting a yellow ring. The Angus Short-toed Lark continued to show well, as did the Kent Night Heron and the highest Waxwing counts included 107 in Longbenton, Northumberland, 80 in Newport, Gwent and counts of 70 in Darley Dale, Derbyshire and Bingley, West Yorkshire.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA