Monday 20th August 2012
	The highlight of the day was the arrival of a Baird's Sandpiper at West Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire. Discoveries elsewhere included an Ortolan Bunting on North Ronaldsay, Orkney Isles, whilst a Least Sandpiper flew over Cape Clear, County Cork, and a Black Kite was seen briefly in Kent. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Booted Warbler on the Shetland Isles, Aquatic Warbler on the Wirral, Bonaparte's Gull in County Durham, Long-billed Dowitcher in Gloucestershire, White-rumped Sandpiper in County Londonderry and Glossy Ibis in Pembrokeshire. Scarcities included six Barred Warblers, four White Storks (together in Somerset), three Wrynecks, two each of Melodious Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Ring-billed Gull and Sabine's Gull, and single migrant Golden Oriole (Orkney Isles), Common Rosefinch (Shetland Isles), Red-necked Phalarope (Lincolnshire), Purple Heron (Kent), Ring-necked Duck (Perth and Kinross), and Pectoral Sandpiper (Aberdeenshire). Significant late news from 19th August concerned a Marsh Sandpiper in Cornwall by the Camel Estuary, and a seawatch at Toe Head, County Cork, produced both Barolo Little Shearwater and Wilson's Petrel.
-  Chris Batty, RBA