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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Thursday 20th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was breaking news of a Scarlet Tanager in Cornwall at St Levan. Reported as present in the early afternoon, the bird could not be relocated later.

Meanwhile, on the Shetland Isles the Siberian Rubythroat remained on Mainland at Gulberwick, and was joined by a Pechora Pipit, whilst, nearby, a Paddyfield Warbler was on Bressay. Elsewhere, new discoveries included a Pallid Harrier in Cleveland at Dorman's Pool, Glossy Ibis in Suffolk between Minsmere and Dingle Marshes. White-rumped Sandpiper on the Western Isles on South Uist, American Golden Plover in County Galway at Aillebrack, and an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in Leicestershire at Rutland Water.

Lingering rarities included Northern Harrier, four Semipalmated Sandpipers, Baird's Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher and American Golden Plover all together in County Wexford, Red-eyed Vireo, Semipalmated Sandpiper and two American Golden Plovers in County Cork, Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Black Scoter and Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Penduline Tit in Kent, Spotted Sandpiper, two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Ferruginous Duck together in Somerset, Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, and Ferruginous Duck in Berkshire.

On the Scilly Isles the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Melodious Warbler, Barred Warbler, Richard's Pipit, Spotted Crake, six Lapland Buntings and 10 Yellow-browed Warblers.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 19th October 2011  
  There's little doubt as to what the highlight of the day was, for a male Siberian Rubythroat must be near the top of most birders' desires. This stunning bird was watched late afternoon and early evening at Gulberwick, Mainland Shetland, and joins Siberian Blue Robin and Rufous-tailed Robin on this autumn's extraordinary list of eastern vagrants.

Lesser discoveries today included a Red-eyed Vireo at Mizen Head, County Cork, Long-billed Dowitcher at Tacumshin, County Wexford, Glossy Ibis at Bintree Mill, Norfolk and American Golden Plover at Truska Marsh, County Galway.

Lingering rarities included Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, two Olive-backed Pipits, Red-throated Pipit and Lesser Yellowlegs on the Isles of Scilly, Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Northern Harrier, Baird's Sandpiper, at least three Semipalmated Sandpipers and two Glossy Ibises in County Wexford, Red-flanked Bluetail in County Durham, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Blue-winged Teal in County Clare, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon and Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 18th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the arrival of a Red-breasted Goose in Christchurch Harbour, Dorset, accompanying newly-arrived Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Other discoveries included a Pallid Harrier briefly in Lincolnshire and Tetford, Red-throated Pipit in County Cork at Ballycotton, and a White-billed Diver off Tiree, Argyll.

Around the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Radde's Warbler, two Olive-backed Pipits, 3 Red-throated Pipits, Black Kite, Rose-coloured Starling, Bluethroat, Wryneck, Lapland Bunting and nine Yellow-browed Warblers.

Elsewhere, lingering rarities confirmed as still present today comprised the Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Red-flanked Bluetail in East Yorkshire, Baird's Sandpiper on the Western Isles, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, King Eider in Moray, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Glossy Ibis in Cleveland, East Sussex and Essex (2), and White-rumped Sandpipers in both Leicestershire and the Western Isles.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 17th October 2011  
  New rarities today included a Pallid Harrier at Brancaster and Thornham, Norfolk, a Bonelli's warbler species and a Tawny Pipit on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, an Olive-backed Pipit on Fair Isle, Shetland, a Baird's Sandpiper on Lewis, Western Isles and a Ross's Goose at West Water Reservoir, Borders. Late news concerned another Red-flanked Bluetail, seen recently in Blakeney, Norfolk.

Lingering island rarities included Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, American Golden Plover, Radde's Warbler and three Black Kites on the Isles of Scilly, a Pallid Harrier and American Golden Plover in Shetland and a Spotted Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper and Baird's Sandpiper in the Western Isles. In Ireland, the Northern Harrier, four Semipalmated Sandpipers and two Glossy Ibises remained in County Wexford, as did the Black Duck and White-rumped Sandpiper in County Mayo and Semipalmated Sandpiper, three American Golden Plovers and seven Glossy Ibises in County Cork.

In mainland Britain, the Daurian Shrike was still in Kent, as was a Red-flanked Bluetail in Yorkshire, Radde's Warbler in Norfolk, Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire and Somerset (2), Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, single Ferruginous Ducks in Lincolnshire and Somerset, Black Kite in Cornwall, single Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset and single Glossy Ibises in Cornwall and Cleveland.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Sunday 16th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was Britain's second Short-toed Eagle watched migrating over both Devon and Dorset: first noted over Dawlish Warren late morning before it was watched crossing the Exe Estuary, reaching Exmouth and Orcombe Point, before later being noted over Lyme Bay, Dorset mid-afternoon.

Other new rarities included single Red-flanked Bluetails in County Durham and Wirral, Daurian Shrike in Kent, Booted Warbler in Suffolk, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Baird's Sandpiper in County Wexford, single Semipalmated Sandpipers in both County Cork and Somerset, a Long-billed Dowitcher in Cumbria and Ferruginous Duck in North Yorkshire.

On the Isles of Scilly a Blyth's Reed Warbler was discovered alongside the lingering Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Radde's Warbler, three Black Kites, Subalpine Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Lesser Yellowlegs, American Golden Plover, Melodious Warbler, Bluethroat, Red-backed Shrike, three Richard's Pipits, four Wrynecks and eight Yellow-browed Warblers. Meanwhile, on the Shetland Isles a Pallid Harrier remained, and both Olive-backed Pipit and Pallas's Warbler were discovered.

Elsewhere, lingering rarities comprised the Northern Harrier and three Semiplamted Sandpipers together in County Wexford, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Pallid Harrier in Somerset, Red-flanked Bluetails in East Yorkshire and Kent, Olive-backed Pipit in Suffolk, Radde's Warbler in Norfolk, Upland Sandpiper and Black Duck in County Mayo, Black Scoter and Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Forster's Tern in County Louth, King Eider in Moray, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, Lesser Yellowlegs in Argyll and Cornwall, Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire and Somerset (2), American Golden Plovers in Argyll, County Cork (3) and Western Isles, White-rumped Sandpipers in Leicestershire, County Mayo and Western Isles, three Black Kites together in Cornwall, Glossy Ibis in Cleveland, Cornwall, Essex, Kent and County Wexford (4), Ferruginous Ducks in Berkshire, Lincolnshire and Somerset, and the Ross's Goose in Dumfries and Galloway.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 15th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of the first Isabelline Wheatear for Sussex, where it remained all afternoon at Crowlink Down. Birders not seeing the Rufous-tailed Robin in Norfolk were kept entertained by a Radde's Warbler and a Red-flanked Bluetail, at Weybourne and Holme respectively, along with good numbers of scarce migrants along the coast. Another Red-flanked Bluetail was a Northward Hill, Kent.

Other new arrivals included a male Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Olive-backed Pipit in Suffolk, Red-throated Pipits in Cornwall, Hampshire and County Cork (2), Penduline Tit in Kent, two Radde's Warblers on the Isles of Scilly, Dusky Warblers in Shetland and Kent, White-rumped Sandpipers in Leicestershire and the Western Isles, Lesser Yellowlegs' in the Isles of Scilly and Argyll, three American Golden Plovers in County Cork, Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Kerry, Glossy Ibises in Cleveland and Suffolk (3), Blue-winged Teals in Yorkshire and County Clare (2) and Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 14th October 2011  
  Today's hot news related to a Rufous-tailed Robin at Warham Greens (Norfolk). Having only been recorded in Britain on two previous occasions (the famous 2004 Fair Isle bird and the individual found dead on Orkney last year), if present tomorrow the Norfolk bird will present most birders with their first opportunity to see Rufous-tailed Robin in the British Isles.

Elsewhere new discoveries included a Dusky Warbler in Essex, Rustic Bunting in East Yorkshire, Radde's Warblers in Norfolk and East Yorkshire, Blyth's Reed Warbler on Shetland and Isabelline Shrike in Suffolk.

In Ireland a Grey-cheeked Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo and two Red-throated Pipits were all logged in Co Cork, whilst in Co Wexford a Least Sandpiper and five Semipalmated Sandpipers were recorded at Tacumshin.

On Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, two Red-throated Pipits, two Lesser Yellowlegs, Subalpine Warbler and American Golden Plover were all logged.

The best of the rest included four Red-flanked Bluetails, three Black Kites, two Spotted Sandpipers, Lesser Scaup and Black Scoter in Northumberland and Olive-backed Pipit on North Ronaldsay.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Thursday 13th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of five Red-flanked Bluetails: two together in County Durham at Whitburn, two in Suffolk (Minsmere and Orford Ness) and one at Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire. Elsewhere, a Forster's Tern was returned to Cruisetown Strand, County Louth, a Spotted Sandpiper was found in County Cork at Rosscarbery, Olive-backed Pipits on the Orkney Isles at North Ronaldsay and in Lincolnshire at Wroot, Glossy Ibis in East Yorkshire, a brief Red-throated Pipit in Kent, Little Bunting in Suffolk, White-rumped Sandpiper in Perth and Kinross, and a Ross's Goose in Dumfries and Galloway.

Lingering rarities included the Upland Sandpiper still in County Mayo, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Somerset (2) and County Wexford, American Golden Plover on the Western Isles, two Black Kites together and a Glossy Ibis in Cornwall, and single Ferruginous Ducks in both Lincolnshire and Somerset.

Around the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside the Wilson's Snipe, Least Sandpiper, two each of Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-throated Pipit, Rose-coloured Starling and Common Rosefinch, three Wrynecks and single Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting. Meanwhile, on the Shetland Isles a Lanceolated Warbler arrived on Fair Isle, as did a Semipalmated Sandpiper on Foula, whilst American Buff-bellied Pipit, Pallid Harrier, Daurian Shrike and Yellow-browed Warbler lingered around the archipelago.

Significant late news concerned a Yellow-billed Cuckoo found moribund yesterday in Liverpool, Merseyside.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 12th October 2011  
  Highlight of the day was the first Upland Sandpiper in Ireland since a one day bird in 1995. If this one remains on The Mullet, County Mayo, it will undoubtedly prove popular. Elsewhere in Ireland a Pallid Harrier was seen at St John's Point, County Down, and the Long-billed Dowitcher was confirmed in Bannow Bay, County Wexford. A Fea's Petrel past North Ronaldsay, Orkney, a Baird's Sandpiper at Loch Stiapabhat, Western Isles and a Tawny Pipit at Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset rounded off the days new rarities.

The American Buff-bellied Pipit was re-found at Newhaven, Sussex, whilst another remained in Shetland. Other lingering rarities included the Black Scoter and Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Northern Waterthrush, Least Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs', American Golden Plover, Red-throated Pipit and a Subalpine Warbler in the Isles of Scilly, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Daurian Shrike in Shetland, two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Spotted Sandpiper in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher and Baird's Sandpiper in the Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dumfries and Galloway and American Golden Plover in Argyll.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 11th October 2011  
  The highlight today was the reappearance of the Black Scoter in Northumberland, this time being seen off Goswick this afternoon. Nearby, an American Golden Plover was at Newbiggin at high tide, whilst in County Wexford a Baird's Sandpiper was in Bannow Bay with a dowitcher species. Significant late news concerned a very smart American Buff-bellied Pipit in Sussex, photographed at Newhaven on Sunday, but not identified at the time.

Lingering island rarities included Northern Waterthrush, Least Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs', American Golden Plover and Red-throated Pipit in the Isles of Scilly, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Daurian Shrike, Citrine Wagtail and American Golden Plover in Shetland, and Spotted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Baird's Sandpiper, two White-rumped Sandpipers, American Golden Plover and a Little Bunting in the Western Isles.

Mainland rarity highlights included two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset (with singles in Ayrshire, Carmarthenshire and Dumfries and Galloway), Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, at least two Black Kites, a Glossy Ibis and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, single Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset and single Ferruginous Ducks in Lincolnshire and Somerset.

In Ireland, the Red-eyed Vireo remained in County Cork, as did the Bonaparte's Gull in County Antrim, two American Golden Plovers in County Mayo and Least Sandpiper, three Semipalmated Sandpipers and two Glossy Ibises in County Wexford.
-  Will Soar, RBA