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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Sunday 3rd April 2011  
  An exciting day with highlights comprising a Black Stork in Somerset, noted flying over Shapwick Heath and Nettlebridge, and in Lincolnshire a Western Subalpine Warbler at Humberston. Elsewhere, brief encounters included single Alpine Swifts in both County Cork and East Yorkshire, and Bee-eaters in Cornwall and Norfolk.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present today were the Red-flanked Bluetail and Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Stejneger's Scoter in County Kerry, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Short-toed Treecreeper in Suffolk, Pied-billed Grebe in Argyll, Bonaparte's Gull in Highland, King Eider on the Shetland Isles, Lesser Scaups in both Gloucestershire and Merseyside, Ferruginous Duck in Wiltshire, Ross's Geese in Cumbria and Perth and Kinross, the latter accompanied by a Red-breasted Goose.

Scarcities included a Short-toed Lark in Dorset, Purple Herons in both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Serins in County Cork and Dumfries and Galloway, and Hoopoes in County Cork, Cornwall (2), Devon (2), Dorset, East Sussex, Gwynedd and Kent. A White-tailed Eagle migrated east along the north Norfolk coast from Lincolnshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 2nd April 2011  
  Highlight of the day was a Red-flanked Bluetail in Dorset, which was found at Durlston Country Park mid morning and remained in the area until late afternoon at least, although it proved very elusive for much of the time. Of the 68 accepted records to the end of 2009, just four have been seen during Spring.

Other new rarities found today included a Black Stork and a Bee-eater in Isles of Scilly, with another Bee-eater in Cornwall, an Alpine Swift in Norfolk and single Red-rumped Swallows in County Wexford and Cornwall.

Long staying rarities included the Stejneger's Scoter in County Kerry, Short-toed Treecreeper in Suffolk, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Ferruginous Duck in Wiltshire, single Lesser Scaups in Gloucestershire, Glamorgan and Merseyside and Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 1st April 2011  
  Rare waterfowl discovered today included a Blue-winged Teal at the Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire and a Ferruginous Duck in Swindon, Wiltshire. A King Eider remained in Shetland, as did single Lesser Scaups in Gloucestershire and Merseyside and a Ferruginous Duck in Somerset.

In Suffolk, the Short-toed Treecreeper was seen again at Landguard NR, as was the Rufous Turtle Dove in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire and Long-billed Dowitcher at Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset.

Scarcities were headlined by a Leach's Petrel in Berkshire, with other highlights including a Spotted Crake, a Rose-coloured Starling, four Hoopoes and eight Great Grey Shrikes.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 31st March 2011  
  Lingering rarities confirmed as still present today comprised the Stejneger's Scoter still in County Kerry, Short-toed Treecreeper in Suffolk, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, House Crow in County Cork, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire and Ross's Goose in Northumberland.

The best of the rest included the Rose-coloured Starling still in Cornwall, American Wigeon in Northumberland and Spotted Crake in Warwickshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 30th March 2011  
  In Aberdeenshire an adult drake King Eider was discovered on the Ythan Estuary. Lingering rarities included Short-toed Treecreeper in Suffolk, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Stejneger's Scoter in Co Kerry and Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire.

Scarcities included Hoopoes in Cornwall and Co Cork, Spotted Crake in Warwickshire, American Wigeon in Northumberland and Rose-coloured Starling in Cornwall.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Tuesday 29th March 2011  
  In Suffolk the Short-toed Treecreeper lingered at Landguard NR and in Argyll the Pied-billed Grebe continued to show on Mull. Elsewhere lingering rarities included Stejneger's Scoter in Co Kerry, Blue-winged Teal in Carmarthenshire, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Lesser Scaup in Merseyside and Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset.

The best of the rest included Spotted Crake in Warwickshire, Hoopoes in Cornwall (2) and Dorset, American Wigeon in Northumberland, Rose-coloured Starling in Cornwall and two Serins in Kent.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Monday 28th March 2011  
  On Orkney a White-billed Diver was discovered off the west side of North Ronaldsay this morning.

In Suffolk the Short-toed Treecreeper continued its stay at Landguard NR, the Stejneger's Scoter remained in Co Kerry and the Pied-billed Grebe was still on Mull (Argyll).

Elsewhere lingering rarities included Red-breasted Goose and Ross's Goose in Perth and Kinross, Ross's Goose in Borders, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Lesser Scaup in Merseyside and Blue-winged Teal in Carmarthenshire.

The best of the rest included a Spotted Crake in Warwickshire, Hoopoes in Dorset and Cornwall, Rose-coloured Starling in Cornwall and American Wigeon in Northumberland.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 27th March 2011  
  Rarities around Britain today comprised the Short-toed Treecreeper still in Suffolk, Pied-billed Grebe in Argyll, Red-breasted Goose in Perth and Kinross, Blue-winged Teal in Carmarthenshire, Bonaparte's Gulls in both Anglesey and Glamorgan, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Lesser Scaup in Merseyside, and single Ross's Geese in both Lothian and Perth and Kinross.

In Ireland lingering rarities confirmed as still present today were the Stejneger's Scoter and the White-billed Diver both still in County Kerry, House Crow in County Cork, Taverner's Canada Goose in County Sligo, and Northern Harriers in both County Wexford and County Wicklow.

The best of rest included two Serins together in Kent, an American Wigeon in Northumberland, a Spotted Crake in Warwickshire, with single Hoopoes in both Cornwall and Devon.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 26th March 2011  
  The second White-billed Diver for County Kerry was discovered today, off Cromane Point, whilst the Stejneger's Scoter remained nearby at Rossbeigh with a Surf Scoter also present. A Hooded Merganser in Sussex provided some interest, although it was coming to bread this evening.

Lingering rarities included Short-toed Treecreeper in Suffolk, Pied-billed Grebe in Argyll, Bonaparte's Gull in Anglesey, Gyr in Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, single Lesser Scaups in Merseyside and Glamorgan, Blue-winged Teal in Carmarthenshire, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, Northern Harrier in County Wexford and Red-breasted Goose in Perth and Kinross.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 25th March 2011  
  In Suffolk, the Short-toed Treecreeper remained on show at Landguard NR. Whilst it was generally elusive in the field, it was re-trapped regularly by the ringing team, giving many the opportunity for a closer view. Other lingering Megas today included the Stejneger's Scoter at Rossbeigh, County Kerry, Pied-billed Grebe in Salen Bay, Argyll and House Crow at Cobh, County Cork.

Rarities seen today included two Penduline Tits at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk, Blue-winged Teal at Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Bonaparte's Gull at Cardiff Bay, Glamorgan, Long-billed Dowitcher at Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset, Lesser Scaup at Marshside RSPB, Merseyside and Northern Harrier on Lewis, Western Isles.

Scarcity highlights included a White-spotted Bluethroat in Isles of Scilly, Rose-coloured Starling in Cornwall, three Hoopoes on the south coast and 16 Great Grey Shrikes across the country.
-  Will Soar, RBA