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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Friday 28th October 2011  
  The fourth Squacco Heron for Nottinghamshire was discovered at Attenborough NR this afternoon. Proving mobile, it just managed to become an addition to the Derbyshire list, as it briefly flew across the nearby border. Other new discoveries today included a Daurian Shrike at Porth Clais, Pembrokeshire, a Dusky Warbler at Orcombe Point, Devon and a Bonaparte's Gull at Sennen, Cornwall. The identification of the first Pallid Harrier for Ayrshire was confirmed, and a Spotted Sandpiper was seen again in County Mayo.

Lingering rarities included Siberian Rubythroat and Daurian Shrike in Shetland, Northern Waterthrush, Dusky Warbler and Lesser Yellowlegs in the Isles of Scilly, Brown Shrike and Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll, Daurian Shrike in Norfolk, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Dusky Warblers in Angus and Orkney, Olive-backed Pipit in Yorkshire, single Glossy Ibises in Kent and Dorset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dumfries and Galloway, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset and Snowy Owl in the Western Isles.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 27th October 2011  
  On the Isles of Scilly a Red-eyed Vireo was a new arrival, where the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside the Upland Sandpiper, Dusky Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs, Richard's Pipit, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting and seven Yellow-browed Warblers. Elsewhere, new rarities comprised single Dusky Warblers in Angus at Auchmithie, and the Orkney Isles on North Ronaldsay, a Blue-winged Teal in Dumfries and Galloway at Wigtown, and a Glossy Ibis at Stodmarsh, Kent.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present included the Siberian Rubythroat on the Shetland Isles, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Bufflehead in Cornwall, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Northern Harrier in County Wicklow, Daurian Shrike and at least one Pallid Swift in Norfolk, Olive-backed Pipit in North Yorkshire, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, King Eider in Moray, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Baird's Sandpiper in County Wexford, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, two Long-billed Dowitchers together in Somerset, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Glossy Ibis in County Wexford, Black-bellied Dipper in West Yorkshire, and American Golden Plovers in Argyll, County Mayo and the Western Isles (2).

A total of ten Pallas's Warblers were logged, comprising singles in Aberdeenshire, Cornwall, East Yorkshire, Essex, Norfolk and West Sussex, and two each in both East Sussex and Kent.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 26th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Bufflehead in Cornwall at Lizard. Elsewhere, a Pallid Swift arrived in Norfolk between Cromer and West Runton, Olive-backed Pipits were found in Aberdeenshire at Rattray Head, and Filey, North Yorkshire (2), and a Subalpine Warbler was new at Old of Kinsale, County Cork. In County Wexford a second Northern Harrier was confirmed at Tacumshin, whilst a Black-bellied Dipper was identified at Shipley, West Yorkshire. Brief encounters included single Pallid Harriers in both Borders and Lothian, and a Red-throated Pipit in Norfolk.

On the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Radde's Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Bluethroat, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting and five Yellow-browed Warblers.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present comprised the Siberian Rubythroat on the Shetland Isles, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Daurian Shrike in Norfolk, Siberian Stonechat on the Orkney Isles, Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cleveland, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset (2) and Dumfries and Galloway, American Golden Plovers in County Galway and County Mayo, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Black Duck in County Mayo, King Eider in Moray, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Ferruginous Duck in Lincolnshire, Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll and two Glossy Ibises together in County Cork.

Significant late news concerned a Swainson's Thrush present on Friday on the Orkney Isles, at Birsay, Mainland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 25th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Pied Wheatear at Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire. Other new rarities included a brief Isabelline Shrike in Cornwall at Nanquidno, Siberian Stonechat in the Orkney Isles on North Ronaldsay, Alpine Swift in Essex at Hanningfield Reservoir, Bonaparte's Gull in County Antrim at Larne, American Golden Plover in County Donegal on Tory Island, and Bee-eater in County Kerry at Black Rock Strand.

Around the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Upland Sandpiper, Radde's Warbler, two Dusky Warblers, Olive-backed Pipit, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Crake and five Yellow-browed Warblers.

Elsewhere, the Siberian Rubythroat remained on the Shetland Isles, as did the Brown Shrike in Argyll, Daurian Shrike in Norfolk, Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cleveland, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, two Long-billed Dowitchers together in Somerset, Lesser Yellowlegs on Anglesey, three American Golden Plovers together in County Mayo, White-rumped Sandpipers in both Leicestershire and County Mayo, Glossy Ibis in Berkshire, and Ferruginous Ducks in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Somerset.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
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