Friday 8th May 2009
	Hot news today related to the discovery of a Brown-headed Cowbird on Fair Isle, Shetland. The only previous British record concerned a bird on Islay, Argyll on 24th April 1988 - this bird was only seen by the finder, so Brown-headed Cowbird is one of the most-wanted species on the British List. Other new rarities included Alpine Swifts in Somerset, East Yorkshire and Co Wicklow, Snowy Owl on Orkney, two Red-rumped Swallows in Norfolk, Red-footed Falcon in Kent and White-billed Diver in Argyll. Lingering rarities comprised the Savi's Warbler in Essex, Pallid Swift in Merseyside, Western or Semipalmated Sandpiper in Devon, Black Kite in Essex and Ferruginous Duck in Somerset. Cattle Egrets were logged in Cambridgeshire (3), Cornwall and Leicestershire, the Purple Heron was still in Suffolk, a Pectoral Sandpiper was discovered on Foula, Shetland and in Dorset the Woodchat Shrike remained on Portland.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA