Sunday 30th September 2012
	Rare pipits stole the show today, particularly on Shetland, where both a Pechora Pipit and an American Buff-bellied Pipit were discovered on Unst and Mainland respectively, whilst another American Buff-bellied Pipit was found at Carrickfergus, County Antrim. Other new discoveries on Shetland included a Spotted Sandpiper at Lower Voe, Mainland and a Bonaparte's Gull at Buffafirth, Unst, whilst elsewhere new, or relocating, American Golden Plovers were on the Western Isles (2) and in County Mayo (3). Lingering rarities on Shetland included the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Blyth's Reed Warbler on Unst and Isabelline Shrike, Siberian Stonechat, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Little Bunting and American Golden Plover on Mainland. Scilly continued to hold two Ortolan Buntings. Elsewhere, the Short-billed Dowitcher remained in Dorset, as did the Lesser Yellowlegs and Lesser Scaup in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Northumberland, single American Buff-bellied Pipits in County Kerry and Western Isles, White-rumped Sandpiper in County Dublin, Greenish Warbler in Kent, Forster's Tern in County Louth, Glossy Ibis in Pembrokeshire and American Golden Plovers in County Wexford, Orkney and the Western Isles.
-  Will Soar, RBA