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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Monday 24th October 2011  
  Two lingering mega-rarities in Scotland were today's headline birds - the Ovenbird on Barra (Western Isles) and the Siberian Rubythroat on Mainland Shetland.

On Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe and Lesser Yellowlegs were all still present and a White-rumped Sandpiper, Little Bunting, Dusky Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit were all discovered.

Elsewhere an Olive-backed Pipit was discovered on Mainland Shetland and a Daurian Shrike was at Horsey (Norfolk) for its second day. Lingering rarities included Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Penduline Tit in Kent, Ferruginous Duck in Lincolnshire, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Anglesey, Glossy Ibis in Berkshire, Long-billed Dowitchers in Dumfries & Galloway and Somerset (2) and Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cleveland.

In Ireland rarities included a Red-eyed Vireo and White-rumped Sandpiper (Co Cork), Upland Sandpiper (Co Mayo) and Baird's Sandpiper, two Glossy Ibises and two Semipalmated Sandpipers (Co Wexford).

Five Pallas's Warblers, two Richard's Pipits and two American Wigeons were logged today.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 23rd October 2011  
  Another day, another mega American vagrant - Britain's fifth Ovenbird was discovered on Barra (Western Isles) this afternoon.

On Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, two Olive-backed Pipits and Lesser Yellowlegs were all still present, whilst on Shetland the Siberian Rubythroat and a Daurian Shrike lingered on Mainland.

Elsewhere lingering rarities included Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Glossy Ibis in Hampshire, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Penduline Tit in Kent, Lesser Scaup and Black Scoter in Northumberland and Snowy Owl on Western Isles.

Ferruginous Ducks were logged in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Berkshire and Nearctic waders included Semipalmated Sandpiper (Cleveland), White-rumped Sandpiper (Leicestershire), American Golden Plover (Fife), two Lesser Yellowlegs, two Spotted Sandpipers and three Long-billed Dowitchers.

Pallas's Warblers were recorded in East Sussex (2) and Norfolk and Rose-coloured Starlings lingered in Cornwall and Gwynedd.

Irish records comprised Upland Sandpiper, Black Duck and four American Golden Plovers (Co Mayo) and Long-billed Dowitcher, Baird's Sandpiper, two Semipalmated Sandpipers and at least two Glossy Ibises in Co Wexford.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Saturday 22nd October 2011  
  Highlight of the day was the discovery of a 1st-winter male Scarlet Tanager on St Mary's (Isles of Scilly). This record represents the fourth for the archipelago, but the first since 1982. Elsewhere on Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, at least two Olive-backed Pipits, Lesser Yellowlegs, Melodious Warbler and Pallas's Warbler all lingered, whilst a Little Bunting was also discovered.

New discoveries included a Brown Shrike on Tiree (Argyll), Dusky Warbler at Kessingland (Suffolk), Semipalmated Sandpiper at Saltholme RSPB (Cleveland), Lesser Yellowlegs on the Alaw Estuary (Anglesey) and American Golden Plover at Crail (Fife).

Lingering rarities comprised the Siberian Rubythroat on Shetland, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Penduline Tit in Kent, Lesser Scaup and Black Scoter in Northumberland and Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll. Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset (2) and Dumfries & Galloway, Ferruginous Ducks in West Yorkshire, Berkshire, Lincolnshire and Somerset and five Glossy Ibises were also recorded.

In Ireland the Upland Sandpiper (Co Mayo), a Northern Harrier (Co Wicklow) and Red-eyed Vireo (Co Cork) were logged in addition to five American Golden Plovers and three Semipalmated Sandpipers.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Friday 21st October 2011  
  Today's headline rarity was the Scarlet Tanager in Cornwall, present for its second day at St Levan. Unfortunately the bird was only seen briefly on two occasions this morning. On the Shetland Isles the Siberian Rubythroat was present for its fourth day on Mainland.

Elsewhere new discoveries included Semipalmated Sandpiper in Co Kerry, American Golden Plover in Western Isles and Glossy Ibises in Hampshire and Norfolk.

On Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Lesser Yellowlegs, a Tawny Pipit and Pallas's Warbler were all recorded.

Lingering rarities included Pallid Harrier in Cleveland, Red-eyed Vireo in Co Cork, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Ferruginous Ducks in Berkshire, Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire, Northern Harrier in Co Wexford, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland and Spotted Sandpiper in Devon.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
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