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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Tuesday 31st March 2009  
  The highlight of the day was an Alpine Swift lingering over St Just, Cornwall early in the afternoon. Elsewhere, single Great White Egrets were discovered at Belvide Reservoir, Staffordshire and Leighton Moss, Lancashire.

Lingering rarities comprised the Penduline Tit in Devon, Blue-winged Teal in County Clare, Black-winged Stilt in County Cork, two King Eiders in County Sligo, single Lesser Scaups in both Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset and Great White Egret in Clyde.

Cattle Egret reports totaled 33 birds in nine counties including 15 in Cornwall, eight in County Cork, four in County Waterford and singles in each of Cheshire, Devon, Dorset, Pembrokeshire, the Isles of Scilly and Warwickshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 30th March 2009  
  The highlights of the day were the discovery of a Bonaparte's Gull on South Uist, Western Isles and the breaking news of a Blue-winged Teal at Lough Atedaun, County Clare; the latter first being seen yesterday.

Lingering rarities included Penduline Tits still in Devon and Suffolk (3), Bonaparte's Gull in Glamorgan, Black-winged Stilt in County Cork, two King Eiders in County Sligo, single Lesser Scaups in both Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset and Great White Egret in Clyde.

Cattle Egret reports totaled 32 birds in nine counties comprising 15 in Cornwall, seven in County Cork, four in County Waterford and singles in Cheshire, Devon, Dorset, Pembrokeshire, Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 29th March 2009  
  Two Penduline Tits reappeared at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, with the male still present at Youngs Waterpark, Devon. In County Cork, the Black-winged Stilt was reported again, whilst other lingering rarities included Bonaparte's Gull in Glamorgan, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset and Lesser Scaup in Nottinghamshire.

The Great White Egret was again at Gilmourton Pools, Clyde, with Cattle Egrets in Cheshire, Cornwall, Dorset, County Cork, County Waterford, Pembrokeshire and on the Isles of Scilly.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 28th March 2009  
  Lingering rarities included Gyr in Argyll, Bonaparte's Gull and Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, Lesser Scaup in Nottinghamshire, Penduline Tit in Devon and King Eiders in Sligo (2) and Fife. Ferruginous Ducks were logged in Somerset and Norfolk and 29 Cattle Egrets included flocks of 9 in both Cornwall and Co Cork.

Late news related to a wintering White-throated Sparrow in a garden in Cheshire, present from December 2008 to 1st March, but not since.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Friday 27th March 2009  
  In Suffolk, the drake Canvasback, or hybrid Canvasback x Pochard returned to Lackford Lakes SWT, after its brief visit to Livermere Lake yesterday. Nearby, in Norfolk, the Dark-breasted Barn Owl was seen again at Welney WWT this evening.

Long staying rarities logged today include the Snowy Owl in Cornwall, Penduline Tit in Devon, Bonaparte's Gull and Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, Great White Egret in Somerset and single Cattle Egrets in Pembrokeshire, Dorset, Cheshire and on the Isles of Scilly.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 26th March 2009  
  In Argyll the white morph Gyr was seen briefly in flight on Tiree late afternoon, having eluded would-be observers for the majority of the day.

In Suffolk an interesting drake Aythya, either a Canvasback or hybrid Canvasback x Pochard relocated to Great Livermere, having previously been at Lackford Lakes SWT 21st-24th March.

The singing male Penduline Tit remained in Devon, Cattle Egrets were logged on Isles of Scilly, Gloucestershire and Suffolk and scarce wildfowl included American Wigeon in Gloucestershire, Ring-necked Duck in Hampshire, Surf Scoter in Devon and Green-winged Teals in Leicestershire and Fife.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Wednesday 25th March 2009  
  On Tiree, the white morph Gyr showed for its second day at Loch Bhasapoll. The Black-winged Stilt remained in-situ on Lough Errul, Cape Clear, County Cork, whilst other lingerers included Penduline Tit in Devon, King Eider in Fife, Great White Egrets in Clyde and Somerset and Cattle Egrets in Dorset, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Suffolk and on the Isles of Scilly and Isle of Man.

Other notable sightings included a Shorelark, 3 Great Grey Shrikes, 4 Spoonbills, an American Wigeon, 4 Green-winged Teals, 3 Ring-necked Ducks and 2 Surf Scoters.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 24th March 2009  
  Highlight of the day was the discovery of a white morph Gyr on Tiree, continuing the excellent recent run of records of this species. Elsewhere the Black-winged Stilt remained on Cape Clear, Co Cork, Penduline Tits were still in Suffolk (2) and Devon, the Snowy Owl lingered in Cornwall, Great White Egrets were in Somerset and Clyde and 22 Cattle Egrets were logged.

Other notable occurrences included five Spoonbills, three Great Grey Shrikes, two Hoopoes, two Green-winged Teals, two American Wigeons, and single Ring-necked Duck, Yellow-browed Warbler and Surf Scoter.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Monday 23rd March 2009  
  In Cornwall, the Great Spotted Cuckoo was reported briefly in the Cot Valley, although extensive searching by a good number of other observer's failed to relocate it. The Black-winged Stilt remained on Cape Clear Island, County Cork.

Long staying rarities seen today included the Penduline Tit in Devon, Bonaparte's Gull and Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan and Ferruginous Duck in Somerset. A Great White Egret was in Somerset, while Cattle Egrets were in Cheshire, Cornwall, Devon, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Sunday 22nd March 2009  
  Spring rarities included a Great Spotted Cuckoo in Cornwall, and a Black-winged Stilt in County Cork. The former was in the St Just area this afternoon, but proved very mobile. The latter was the first record for Cape Clear Island. Less expected was the arrival of a first-winter Ross's Gull at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire late afternoon.

Two Penduline Tits remained at Dingle Marshes RSPB, Suffolk, with the Ferruginous Duck still nearby at Trimley. Other wildfowl included King Eider in Fife, and single Lesser Scaups in Nottinghamshire and County Westmeath. The Snowy Owl was seen in Cornwall, the Bonaparte's Gull was at Cardiff, Glamorgan and the Forster's Tern made another appearance on Claddagh Beach, County Galway.
-  Will Soar, RBA