Wednesday 21st September 2011
	After seven days, the identity of the wader at Weir Wood Reservoir, Sussex has been confirmed as Britain's third Long-toed Stint. The extreme distance has hindered viewing, but the light late afternoon enabled all the key features to be noted. On Shetland, a Swainson's Thrush at Boddam suggested that Scilly may not have it all its own way this autumn. New rare passerines were hard to come by, with just another Red-eyed Vireo and Ortolan Bunting on Scilly and a Red-rumped Swallow in Norfolk. Nearctic waders were, however, very well represented, with totals including 10 Semipalmated Sandpipers (eight new), five White-rumped Sandpipers (four new), four Baird's Sandpipers (three new), two Lesser Yellowlegs (one new) and a new American Golden Plover. Other new discoveries included a Squacco Heron in Dorset, Marsh Sandpiper in Norfolk and a Blue-winged Teal in County Clare. Late news concerned the first American Buff-bellied Pipit of the year, on St Kilda, Western Isles on Sunday. Scilly held on to the Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-White Warbler, Solitary Sandpiper, Baltimore Oriole, Blue-winged Teal and Bee-eater, the Lesser Kestrel remained in Orkney, as did the Least Sandpiper in Shetland, Hudsonian Whimbrel in County Cork and American Black Tern in Lincolnshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA