Monday 4th May 2009
	Breaking news today concerned a stint believed to be either a Western or Semipalmated Sandpiper on the Exe and Clyst Estuaries, Devon. First seen - and identified as a Little Stint - at Dawlish Warren on 8th-11th April, then at Bowling Green Marsh on 21st-24th before returning to Dawlish Warren on 29th April, the true identity was only suspected latterly. Other rarities included the elusive Crested Lark still in Kent, the lingering Pallid Swift in Merseyside, Forster's Tern in County Wexford, Savi's Warbler in Essex, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, White-billed Diver in Moray, Great White Egret in Powys and Cattle Egrets in County Cork (8) and Leicestershire. Actively migrating rarities included a Red-rumped Swallow in Devon, Red-footed Falcon in Norfolk and Black Kites in both Essex and Kent. Scarcities included three Green-winged Teals, two each of Purple Heron and Pectoral Sandpiper and single Little Bunting on the Isles of Scilly, Serin in Dorset, Kentish Plover in Hampshire, Wryneck in Devon, American Wigeon in County Antrim, Black Brant in County Down and Kumlien's Gull in Dumfries and Galloway.
-  Chris Batty, RBA