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 17th May 2011  
  The highlight of the day was a Snowy Owl discovered in the Orkney Isles, on Mull Head, Deerness. Elsewhere, a Gull-billed Tern was seen during the morning at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset, as was a Citrine Wagtail on Anglesey at Cemlyn. A Bee-eater lingered between Easington and Spurn, East Yorkshire, whilst brief encounters included Black Kite and Red-rumped Swallow; both in Kent.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Trumpeter Finch in Devon, the elusive Great Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Norfolk, Broad-billed Sandpiper in Wirral, single Bonaparte's Gulls in both Cornwall and Devon, territorial Savi's Warbler in Dorset, Tawny Pipit in East Yorkshire, House Crow in County Cork, and American Golden Plover in County Wexford.

The best of the rest comprised Night Heron (Warwickshire), Short-toed Lark (Isles of Scilly), Purple Heron (County Antrim), Red-necked Phalarope (Norfolk), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Cheshire and County Wexford (2)), Woodchat Shrike (Kent and Pembrokeshire), Ring-necked Duck (County Armagh and Kent), and Pectoral Sandpiper (Aberdeenshire and Suffolk).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 16th May 2011  
  In Norfolk the Great Snipe continued to display intermittently at Cley NWT, where a Lesser Yellowlegs, Temminck's Stint, possible Grey-headed Wagtail and a summer-plumage Dunlin showing characters indicative of the North American form were also noted today.

Elsewhere the Citrine Wagtail in Conwy, Broad-billed Sandpiper in Wirral, Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Cornwall, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, Trumpeter Finch in Devon, Forster's Tern, American Golden Plover and White-billed Diver in Co Wexford, Tawny Pipit in East Yorkshire and Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Shetland all lingered.

The best of the rest included Woodchat Shrike on Isles of Scilly, Pectoral Sandpipers in Aberdeenshire (2), Northumberland and Suffolk, Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Cheshire and Co Wexford, Great White Egret in Lancashire, Purple Heron in Suffolk and American Wigeon on Western Isles. Nine Temminck's Stints and 269 Long-tailed Skuas were also logged today.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 15th May 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Citrine Wagtail in Conwy at Conwy RSPB, with, elsewhere, other new rarities including a Broad-billed Sandpiper on the Wirral at Hoylake, Rustic Bunting on the Shetland Isles on Unst, and single Tawny Pipits in East Yorkshire at Easington, and on Shetland at Sumburgh Head. Brief encounters comprised two Red-rumped Swallows in Suffolk, and single Bee-eaters in each of Dorset, East Yorkshire and Essex.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present today were the Trumpeter Finch in Devon, Black Stork in Northamptonshire, Iberian Chiffchaff in Cornwall, Black-headed Wagtail on the Isles of Scilly, Lesser Yellowlegs in Norfolk, Savi's Warbler in Dorset, Bonaparte's Gulls in both Cornwall and Devon, Ross's Goose in Perth and Kinross, and in County Wexford, Forster's Tern, White-billed Diver and American Golden Plover (all together at Tacumshin).

The best of the rest included Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Cheshire), Night Heron (Warwickshire), White-tailed Eagle (East Yorkshire), White-spotted Bluethroat (Norfolk), Short-toed Lark (Isles of Scilly), Purple Heron (Cambridgeshire), Hoopoe (Buckinghamshire) and two Woodchat Shrikes (Isles of Scilly and Pembrokeshire).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 14th May 2011  
  On Orkney, a report of a Short-toed Eagle on Rousay was received this evening. Nearby, on Shetland, a male Collared Flycatcher was on Foula.

Further south, the second Black Stork for Northamptonshire was found near Daventry, where it was still present mid evening. A Black Kite was over Askerswell, Devon, a Black-headed Wagtail was on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly and a Bee-eater flew over Dunkirk, Kent. Single Red-rumped Swallows were at Kilkeran Lake, County Cork, Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire, Capel-le-Ferne and Bockhill Farm, both Kent, Stornoway, Western Isles and Landguard NR, Suffolk, whilst another three flew south over Spurn, Yorkshire.

Lingering rarities included Trumpeter Finch in Devon, Great Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs in Norfolk, Iberian Chiffchaff in Cornwall, Savi's Warbler in Dorset, Forster's Tern, American Golden Plover and White-billed Diver in County Wexford and single Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Cornwall.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 13th May 2011  
  Another species that has become almost predictable on the east coast in late May or early June in recent years today made an unexpected appearance on Lundy, Devon. A Trumpeter Finch, apparently present for a few days, was seen at the Halfway Wall on the island, where it showed very well to the few appreciative admirers.

Elsewhere, a Broad-billed Sandpiper was found at Lound, where it represented the second record for Nottinghamshire, with the first almost 50 years ago. A second Broad-billed Sandpiper remained at Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria. An adult White-billed Diver was found at Tacumshin, County Wexford, where the adult Forster's Tern also remained.

Lingering rarities included the Great Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs in Norfolk (with the former proving extremely elusive and only seen for a short period during the evening), a metal ringed Savi's Warbler in Dorset, Iberian Chiffchaff in Cornwall, Eastern Subalpine Warbler in Shetland, single Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Cornwall and King Eider in Aberdeenshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 12th May 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the displaying male Great Snipe at Cley, Norfolk, albeit it was present early in the morning, with a Lesser Yellowlegs identified at the same site later in the day. Elsewhere, new discoveries comprised a Spotted Sandpiper in Buckinghamshire at Caldecotte Lake, a Broad-billed Sandpiper in Cumbria at Bowness Railings, and a territorial Savi's Warbler at Lodmoor, Dorset. Otherwise, brief encounters included single Red-rumped Swallows in Dorset, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, and Black Kites over East Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present today were the Iberian Chiffchaff in Cornwall, Snowy Owl on the Western Isles, Bonaparte's Gulls in both Cornwall and the Western Isles, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, House Crow in County Cork, and Forster's Tern and American Golden Plover together in County Wexford.

Disappointingly, the Rock Bunting could not be found at Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, and the long-staying Rufous Turtle Dove appears to have left Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire; where it has not been seen since 9th May.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 11th May 2011  
  The prolonged south-easterlies have finally produced the goods today, with a Calandra Lark in the dunes at Gibraltar Point NNR, Lincolnshire briefly this morning, before it flew to the tidal Greenshank Creek and out of view. Slightly more available, however, was the displaying Great Snipe this evening at Cley NWT, Norfolk, where it remained until dusk when it flew out of view. In County Wexford, the Forster's Tern has returned to the East End Pool at Tacumshin.

Late news from Sunday concerned a male Rock Bunting that was photographed at Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, by a BTO volunteer. It is likely that it hasn't been looked for since the initial sighting, so this sixth for Britain may still be available.

A singing Iberian Chiffchaff at Millbrook, Cornwall continued yet another good year for this species, whilst there were another two sightings of Red-rumped Swallows at Spurn, Yorkshire. Two more Red-rumped Swallows were at Dungeness, Kent, with other new rarities today including a Red-footed Falcon and a Bee-eater at Flamborough, Yorkshire (with another of the latter at Pegwell Bay, Kent), a Glossy Ibis at Strumpshaw, Norfolk and an American Golden Plover at Tacumshin, County Wexford.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 10th May 2011  
  Discoveries today included in Kent a Collared or Oriental Pratincole at Dungeness and a Red-rumped Swallow at Capel-le-Ferne, a Tawny Pipit in Shetland on Noss, Red-rumped Swallow in Wirral at Leasowe, and in Norfolk a Red-rumped Swallow at Gorleston and a Glossy Ibis at Stoke Ferry.

Continuing rarities confirmed as still present were King Eider and Bonaparte's Gull together in Aberdeenshire, Lesser Scaup in Lancashire, Black Kite in Shetland, at least one Red-rumped Swallow in East Yorkshire, and the House Crow in County Cork.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 9th May 2011  
  Today's highlight came in the form of an adult Audouin's Gull at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), the first record for Suffolk and sixth for Britain.

Elsewhere new discoveries included a Red-footed Falcon at Spurn (East Yorkshire - where a Red-rumped Swallow, Serin, Montagu's Harrier, Grey-headed Wagtail, Spoonbill and Shorelark were also logged today), Bee-eaters in Dorset, Western Isles and Somerset, Black Kite on Shetland at Red-rumped Swallow at Waxham (Norfolk).

Lingering rarities came in the form of Bonaparte's Gulls in Devon and Cornwall, Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire, White-billed Diver in Moray and Black Kite in Aberdeenshire.

The best of the rest included a male Kentish Plover in Cumbria, a Pectoral Sandpiper in Northumberland, Night Heron in Dorset, Hoopoe in Somerset, White-spotted Bluethroat in Norfolk, Red-backed Shrike in Kent, Melodious Warbler and Woodchat Shrike on Isles of Scilly, Woodchat Shrike in Devon, Red-necked Phalarope in Lincolnshire, White-winged Black Tern in Northumberland and inland Roseate Tern in Berkshire. Fifteen Temminck's Stints were also spread between five counties today.

In Ireland a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on The Mullet (Co Mayo).
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 8th May 2011  
  The highlight of the day was a male Collared Flycatcher at Holme Dunes, Norfolk. Discovered late in the afternoon the bird continued to show well until late in the evening. This is the fourth record for Norfolk following males at Holme on 4th-6th May 1969, Holkham on 12th-13th May 1985 and at Cley on 5th May 1995.

Other newly discovered rarities comprised a party of four Black-winged Stilts in Cornwall at Gwithian, a Gull-billed Tern in West Sussex at Pulborough Brooks RSPB briefly, a Black Stork in Powys over Llanfilo, and an Ortolan Bunting at Halesworth, Suffolk. Other brief encounters included an Alpine Swift in Warwickshire, White-winged Black Tern in East Yorkshire, Black Kites in Aberdeenshire, Lothian and Suffolk, and Red-rumped Swallows in County Cork, East Yorkshire and Kent.

Lingering rarities comprised the Citrine Wagtail still in Norfolk, Rufous Turtle Dove in Oxfordshire, Collared Pratincole in Lincolnshire, Gyr on the Western Isles, Great Reed Warbler in County Wexford, Black Kite on the Shetland Isles, Bee-eater in Dorset, Glossy Ibis in Buckinghamshire, White-billed Diver in Moray, Lesser Scaup in Gloucestershire, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset, and single Bonaparte's Gulls in Cornwall, Devon and the Western Isles.
-  Chris Batty, RBA