Thursday 2nd August 2012
	The highlight of the day was the discovery of Scotland's fourth Black-winged Pratincole, the first since 1996. Today's bird spent the afternoon at Loch Stiapabhat, Lewis, Western Isles. A Gull-billed Tern was present at Ynyslas, Ceredigion this morning, and also showed well this evening, whilst another two Wilson's Petrels were seen from a Scilly pelagic this evening. Lingering rarities still present today included the Alpine Swift at Sheringham, Norfolk, Long-billed Dowitcher at Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire, White-rumped Sandpiper at Tyninghame Bay, Lothian, Bonaparte's Gull on the Add Estuary, Argyll, single Ferruginous Ducks at Blagdon Lake, Somerset and Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk and Glossy Ibis at Tacumshin, County Wexford. Scarcity highlights included a White-winged Black Tern, a Purple Heron, two Sabine's Gulls and two Pectoral Sandpipers, whilst seawatching in County Cork and County Waterford produced 60 Great Shearwaters and at least 1,864 Cory's Shearwaters.
-  Will Soar, RBA