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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Saturday 23rd April 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Long-billed Dowitcher in Ceredigion at Borth. Elsewhere, new rarities included a White-billed Diver in County Wexford off Tacumshin, two White-billed Divers together in Moray at Burghead, two Bee-eaters together in Ceredigion at Aberporth, and a Ferruginous Duck in Somerset at Chew Valley Lake. Brief encounters comprised a Black Stork over Somerset, Glossy Ibis in Cambridgeshire, single Black Kites in both Cornwall and Lincolnshire, Red-rumped Swallow in East Yorkshire, and an Ortolan Bunting in East Sussex.

Lingering rarities comprised the Pallid Harrier still in County Cork, Blue-winged Teal in Cambridgeshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Bonaparte's Gulls in Aberdeenshire, Devon and the Western Isles, Subalpine Warbler on the Orkney Isles, White-billed Diver on the Western Isles, and a Tawny Pipit on the Isles of Scilly.

Scarcities included seven Purple Herons, six Woodchat Shrikes, four Hoopoes (including three in Cornwall), two each of both Night Heron and Golden Oriole, White-tailed Eagle in Lincolnshire, and territorial White-spotted Bluethroat in Norfolk.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 22nd April 2011  
  The first Pallid Harrier for Ireland was discovered this afternoon in County Cork, where it showed very well at Ballyvergan Marsh. Elsewhere, a scattering a Bee-eaters were recorded, with birds in Kent (six), County Durham (five), Perth and Kinross (two) and Pembrokeshire (two). Other classic Spring rarities included a Red-footed Falcon at Axminster, Devon, a Black Kite at North Foreland, Kent and two more Tawny Pipits on St Martin's, Scilly.

Lingering rarities included the Savi's Warbler in Essex, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Black Stork in Hampshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Somerset, single Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Western Isles, White-billed Diver in Moray, Lesser Scaup in Merseyside and Blue-winged Teal in Cambridgeshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 21st April 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of two Little Swifts together over Wadebridge, Cornwall, although they were lost from view during the afternoon. Elsewhere, a singing Savi's Warbler was located in Essex at Canvey Island, single Tawny Pipits arrive in both County Wexford (at Great Saltee Island) and on the Isles of Scilly, a Bee-eater flew over Durlston Head, Dorset, and an Ortolan Bunting made a brief visit to St Levan, Cornwall. 

Lingering rarities comprised the Rufous Turtle Dove still in Oxfordshire, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Black Stork in Dorset, Blue-winged Teals in Cambridgeshire and North Yorkshire, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Bonaparte's Gulls in Aberdeenshire, Argyll, Devon and the Western Isles, White-billed Divers in Moray and on the Western Isles, Lesser Scaup in Merseyside, and the Ross's Goose in Highland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 20th April 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of both a Gull-billed Tern and Lesser Yellowlegs at Shapwick Heath, Somerset. Other new rarities included an Eastern Subalpine Warbler arrived on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, a Bonaparte's Gull was found on Lewis, Western Isles, and a White-billed Diver was located off Row Head, Orkney Isles. Elsewhere, brief encounters included a Sardinian Warbler at Orcombe Point, Devon, Black Kite at Denge Marsh, Kent, and in Dorset an Ortolan Bunting at Portland Bill and single Red-rumped Swallows at both Stanpit Marsh and West Bexington.

Lingering rarities comprised the Black Scoter in Northumberland, Black Stork in Hampshire, Blue-winged Teal in Carmarthenshire, Red-breasted Goose in Perth and Kinross, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, King Eider and Bonaparte's Gull together in Aberdeenshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, White-billed Diver in Moray, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk and Ross's Goose in Highland.

Scarcities included an American Wigeon in Somerset, Ring-necked Duck in Cheshire, territorial White-spotted Bluethroat in Norfolk, Woodchat Shrikes in County Cork (2), County Waterford and the Isles of Scilly, Night Herons in Dorset and Essex, Purple Herons in Cornwall (2), Lincolnshire and Isles of Scilly, Hoopoes in both North Yorkshire and the Western isles, Serin in Suffolk and Golden Oriole on the Isles of Scilly.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 19th April 2011  
  New discoveries today included at least one Tawny Pipit on St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, Red-rumped Swallow briefly at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, Subalpine Warbler trapped and ringed at Swannay, Orkney, Bee-eater at Hartland Point, Devon, White-billed Diver at Burghead, Moray, Ross's Goose at Golspie, Highland and Gull-billed Tern at Hayle, Cornwall.

Long staying rarities included Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Blue-winged Teal in Cambridgeshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Black Stork in Hampshire and King Eider in Aberdeenshire.

Spring scarcities included a Wryneck, a Night Heron, a Kentish Plover, a White-spotted Bluethroat, a Purple Heron, four Hoopoes. seven Woodchat Shrikes and 22 Dotterel.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Monday 18th April 2011  
  Today's new discoveries included a Blue-winged Teal at Wheldrake Ings YWT (North Yorkshire), White-billed Diver off Lewis (Western Isles), Black Stork over Oulton Broad (Suffolk), Bee-eater at Marazion Marsh RSPB (Cornwall) and Penduline Tit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB (Norfolk). A Bonaparte's Gull off Dawlish Warren NNR (Devon) was presumably the same bird seen at Budleigh Salterton over the weekend.

Lingering rarities included Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, Red-rumped Swallow in East Sussex, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire, Ortolan Bunting in Dorset, King Eider in Aberdeenshire and Black Stork in Hampshire. Isles of Scilly continued to host two Bee-eaters, a Purple Heron, Hoopoe and four Woodchat Shrikes.

The best of the rest came in the form of a Kentish Plover in Lothian, White-spotted Bluethroat in Norfolk, Night Heron in Dorset, Purple Herons in Fife, Cornwall and East Yorkshire, Hoopoes in Devon and Buckinghamshire and Woodchat Shrikes in Cornwall (2) and Co Waterford.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 17th April 2011  
  A singing Savi's Warbler was found at Easington, Yorkshire mid morning, where it represented the second record for the Spurn area, following one in 1984. A popular Ortolan Bunting at Longham Lakes, Dorset often showed well. Bee-eaters were seen in Suffolk (four), Scilly (at least six) and Cornwall (two), whilst a Black Kite was at Marloes Mere, Pembrokeshire and a Red-rumped Swallow was at Arlington Reservoir, Sussex.

A male Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Unst, Shetland was unfortunately picked up dead.

Lingering rarities seen today included the Black Scoter in Northumberland, Black Stork in Hampshire, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, single Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Cornwall, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, single Blue-winged Teals in Cambridgeshire and Carmarthenshire, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk and Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 16th April 2011  
  In Suffolk a Rufous Turtle Dove was present in a Barsham garden yesterday. Despite it being present since Wednesday, it could not be found today.

In Northumberland the adult drake Black Scoter lingered off Bamburgh throughout the day. Elsewhere twitchable rarities included Blue-winged Teal in Cambridgeshire, Black Stork in Hampshire, Bonaparte's Gulls in Cornwall and Aberdeenshire, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, Red-breasted Goose in Perth & Kinross and Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk.

In East Yorkshire a Red-rumped Swallow flew over Spurn for the second consecutive day, an Alpine Swift was briefly over Rainham Marshes RSPB (London), a Gyr was logged on North Uist (Western Isles) and a White-billed Diver drifted west past Mellon Udrigle (Highland).

Isles of Scilly hosted a Bee-eater, Purple Heron, five Woodchat Shrikes, a Hoopoe and a Golden Oriole. In Ireland Co Wexford continued to host the Northern Harrier.

The best of the rest included a White-spotted Bluethroat (Norfolk), Night Heron (Essex), five Woodchat Shrikes (in addition to the aforementioned birds on Isles of Scilly) and four Purple Herons.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Friday 15th April 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the arrival of two Black-winged Stilts at Martin Mere, Lancashire,where they remained throughout the day. Elsewhere, a singing Savi's Warbler was located in Hampshire at Farlington Marshes, a Red-rumped Swallow moved through Spurn, East Yorkshire, and a Bee-eater flew over Warmingham, Cheshire.

Lingering rarities comprised the Black Scoter still in Northumberland, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Black Stork in Hampshire, Blue-winged Teal in Cambridgeshire, Bonaparte's Gulls in Aberdeenshire, Cornwall and Devon, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset, two Bee-eaters on the Isles of Scilly, and Red-breasted Goose in Perth and Kinross.

Scarcities included Night Heron in Essex, Purple Herons in Cornwall (2), East Sussex and East Yorkshire, Woodchat Shrikes in County Cork and the Isles of Scilly (2), Hoopoes in Anglesey, Devon and the Isles of Scilly (2), Wryneck in Staffordshire, and the territorial White-spotted Bluethroat still in Norfolk.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Thursday 14th April 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Black Scoter on the sea off Bamburgh, Northumberland. Only the second record for England - following one picked up at Leighton Moss, Lancashire on 16th May 2007 before being released at Jenny Brown's Point - it will hopefully prove to be the first twitchable Black Scoter in Britain since the returning individual at Llanfairfechan, Conwy, that was present intermittently between March 1999 and April 2007.

Elsewhere, a Blue-winged Teal arrived at the Ouse Washes, Cambridgeshire, and a Whiskered Tern was present at Gosport, Hampshire in the evening. Lingering rarities comprised Bonaparte's Gulls in Aberdeenshire, Cornwall and Devon, Iberian Chiffchaff and Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, Red-rumped Swallow in Kent and Long-billed Dowitcher in Dorset.

Scarcities included Woodchat Shrikes in County Cork, Essex (although it was later killed), Glamorgan and Isles of Scilly (2), Night Heron in Essex, Purple Herons in Cornwall, East Sussex and East Yorkshire, Hoopoes in Cornwall, Dorset, the Isles of Scilly and Pembrokeshire, Wryneck in Cornwall, and the territorial White-spotted Bluethroat still in Norfolk.
-  Chris Batty, RBA