Wednesday 19th September 2012
	The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Western Sandpiper at Hoylake, Wirral, where it showed well over the high tide, but was identified at that time as a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Other Nearctic waders today comprised Short-billed Dowitchers in both Dorset and the Isles of Scilly, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Lothian, Baird's Sandpiper in Norfolk, Spotted Sandpiper on the Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Gloucestershire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, White-rumped Sandpiper in Somerset, seven American Golden Plovers (four on the Orkney Isles), nine Buff-breasted Sandpipers and 24 Pectoral Sandpipers. Other rarities included an American Buff-bellied Pipit on South Uist, Western Isles, the Baillon's Crake still in London, Blue-winged Teal in Merseyside, Ferruginous Duck in Lincolnshire, Glossy Ibis in Pembrokeshire, and a Saker briefly in Lothian. Scarcities included 23 Lapland Buntings, seven Long-tailed Skuas, three Spotted Crakes, and single Barred Warbler (Norfolk), Red-backed Shrike (Orkney Isles), and Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire).
-  Chris Batty, RBA