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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Wednesday 9th October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Sora on the Isles of Scilly, on Tresco, with Arctic Warbler, Purple Heron, Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Rose-coloured Starling, Spotted Crake, Grey Phalarope, three each of Red-breasted Flycatcher and Wryneck, four Balearic Shearwaters and 11 Yellow-browed Warblers all logged around the archipelago.

On the Shetland Isles the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler remained, with American Buff-bellied Pipit, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Rustic Bunting, Red-throated Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Little Bunting, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Richard's Pipit, Dotterel, two each of Short-toed Lark, Red-backed Shrike and Great Grey Shrike, three Lapland Buntings and 10 Yellow-browed Warblers around the islands.

Elsewhere, new rarities included a Thrush Nightingale in Dorset at Portland Bill, and two Richardson's Cackling Geese together on Islay, Argyll. Meanwhile, lingering rarities included the Isabelline Wheatear still in Pembrokeshire, Pied-billed Grebe and Black Duck in County Mayo, Two-barred Crossbills in Norfolk and Surrey, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Black-winged Stilt and American Golden Plover in Cornwall, Blue-winged Teal in Clyde and Lincolnshire (3), Long-billed Dowitcher in Glamorgan, Baird's Sandpipers in both County Cork and Gloucestershire, and 15 Glossy Ibises spread across eight counties.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 8th October 2013  
  New discoveries today included a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Eoropie, Western Isles, a Rustic Bunting on Fetlar and an Olive-backed Pipit on Fair Isle, both Shetland, a Two-barred Crossbill at Leith Hill, Surrey, a Bee-eater over Land's End, Cornwall, a Long-billed Dowitcher on Rhaslas Pond, Glamorgan, a White-rumped Sandpiper on Inishmore, County Galway and Glossy Ibises in Northumberland and Dumfries and Galloway (two).

Lingering rarity highlights included the Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Pied-billed Grebe and Black Duck in County Mayo, American Buff-bellied Pipit in County Galway, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Arctic Warbler on the Isles of Scilly, Siberian Stonechat in Suffolk, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Little Bunting in Shetland, four Two-barred Crossbills in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper in Gloucestershire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Kent, Long-billed Dowitcher in Hampshire and three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Monday 7th October 2013  
  On Isles of Scilly a brief sighting of a Grey-cheeked Thrush was the day's headline news. Elsewhere on the archipelago an Arctic Warbler, two each of Common Rosefinch and Little Bunting and single Spotted Crake, Purple Heron, Rose-coloured Starling, Bluethroat and Red-backed Shrike were all recorded.

Elsewhere new discoveries included Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Baird's Sandpiper in Gloucestershire, Spotted Sandpiper in Co Galway, Western Bonelli's Warbler in East Yorkshire and flyby White-rumped Sandpiper in Lincolnshire.

On Shetland an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Arctic Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Little Bunting all lingered.

A total of 19 Glossy Ibises, four Blue-winged Teals, three Lesser Yellowlegs, two Lesser Scaups, two Two-barred Crossbills, Long-billed Dowitcher (Hampshire), Daurian Shrike (Cornwall), Siberian Stonechat (Suffolk), Isabelline Wheatear (Pembrokeshire), Sardinian Warbler (Borders), Western Bonelli's Warbler (Cornwall), Laughing Gull (Orkney) and Pied-billed Grebe (Co Mayo) were all logged today.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 6th October 2013  
  Today's highlight was the discovery of an Ovenbird on Papa Westray (Orkney). Elsewhere new discoveries included Red-eyed Vireo and Lanceolated Warbler on Fair Isle, American Buff-bellied Pipit on Yell (Shetland) and Western Bonelli's Warbler in Cornwall.

On Shetland, as well as the aforementioned rarities, an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Little Bunting, Arctic Warbler and Eastern Subalpine Warbler were also recorded.

On the Mainland a Daurian Shrike and Black-winged Stilt (Cornwall), Isabelline Wheatear (Pembrokeshire), Sardinian Warbler (Borders), Lesser Grey Shrike (Kent), Lesser Scaup (Glamorgan), Long-billed Dowitcher (Hampshire), two Siberian Stonechats, two Two-barred Crossbills, two Lesser Yellowlegs, three American Golden Plovers, three Little Buntings, four Blue-winged Teals and 18 Glossy Ibises were all logged. On Orkney an Olive-backed Pipit remained on North Ronaldsay and on Isles of Scilly an Arctic Warbler was on St Mary's and a Subalpine Warbler lingered on St Agnes.

In Ireland a Spotted Sandpiper and American Golden Plover (Co Donegal), American Buff-bellied Pipit (Co Galway) and American Golden Plovers in Wexford and Derry were all reported.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Saturday 5th October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the Thick-billed Warbler on the Shetland Isles at Geosetter, where it remained throughout the day. Elsewhere around the archipelago an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was found at Hoswick, an American Buff-bellied Pipit on Foula, Blyth's Reed Warbler on Unst, Arctic Warbler at Voe, Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Yell, Short-toed Lark, five Little Buntings and a total of 32 Yellow-browed Warblers. Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly, an Arctic Warbler was on St Mary's, with - around the islands - Subalpine Warbler, Purple Heron, Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, Spotted Crake, Wryneck, two Red-breasted Flycatchers and four Yellow-browed Warblers.

Elsewhere, new rarities comprised an American Buff-bellied Pipit in County Galway on Inishmore, Lesser Grey Shrike in Kent at Capel Fleet, Radde's Warbler in Devon at Berry Head, Siberian Stonechat in Lincolnshire, Olive-backed Pipit and Subalpine Warbler together in County Durham at Whitburn, Greenish Warbler on the Western Isles, Spotted Sandpiper in County Donegal, Baird's Sandpiper in County Wicklow, and a Baltic Gull in Suffolk.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present included the Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Daurian Shrike in Cornwall, four Two-barred Crossbills together in Norfolk, Western Bonelli's Warbler on the Orkney Isles, Siberian Stonechat in Suffolk, Subalpine Warbler in Northumberland, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall, Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Donegal, Baird's Sandpiper in County Kerry, Lesser Yellowlegs in Devon, County Galway and Kent, Blue-winged Teal in Clyde and Lincolnshire (3), Lesser Scaup in Greater Manchester, and 18 Glossy Ibises scattered across nine counties.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 4th October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Thick-billed Warbler at Geosetter, Shetland Isles in the mid afternoon; the fifth British record, all of which have been on the Shetland Isles. Elsewhere around the archipelago were at Pechora Pipit at Isleburgh, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit on Whalsay, Arctic Warbler at Voe, Eastern Subalpine Warbler on Yell, along with scattered Little Bunting, Marsh Warbler, Hoopoe, Common Rosefinch, Great Grey Shrike, two Lapland Buntings and 43 Yellow-browed Warblers.

Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly Subalpine Warbler remained with Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Purple Heron, Rose-coloured Starling, Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler, two Lapland Buntings and three Wrynecks.

Elsewhere, rare passerines comprised a Daurian Shrike new in Cornwall at Pendeen Watch, Isabelline Wheatear still in Pembrokeshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, two Two-barred Crossbills together in Norfolk, Radde's Warbler in Fife, Western Bonelli's Warblers in both County Cork and the Orkney Isles, Siberian Stonechat in Suffolk, Olive-backed Pipit on the Orkney Isles, Subalpine Warbler in Northumberland, Rustic Bunting reported as still pesent in Lincolnshire, and a Blyth's Reed Warbler reported again on the Wirral.

Other rarities compried the Laughing Gull still on the Orkney Isles, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall, Lesser Yellowlegs in Carmarthenshire, County Galway and Kent, American Golden Plovers in Lincolnshire, County Mayo and South Yorkshire, Blue-winged Teal in Clyde and Lincolnshire (3), Lesser Scaup in Greater Manchester, and 18 Glossy Ibises across six counties.

Significant late news concerns the third Cedar Waxwing for Britain, present on Tiree, Argyll on 21st-29th September, but suppressed.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Thursday 3rd October 2013  
  Rarity of the day was the Grey-cheeked Thrush in County Cork, which was feeding on the track outside the Wilson's Warbler garden on Dursey Island this evening. A lovely Rustic Bunting was photographed at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, a Radde's Warbler was seen on the Isle of May, Fife and a Red-throated Pipit flew over Rainham Marshes RSPB, London. A Lesser Yellowlegs was again at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Devon, a Little Bunting was at Skaw, Unst, Shetland and a Glossy Ibis was in Wadebridge, Cornwall.

Lingering rarities seen today included the White's Thrush reported on the Isles of Scilly, Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Arctic Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Lesser Yellowlegs in Shetland (with another of the latter still in Kent, and another Subalpine Warbler on the Isles of Scilly), Western Bonelli's Warbler in County Cork, Siberian Stonechat in Suffolk, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall, American Golden Plovers in Yorkshire and County Galway, three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire (and one in Clyde) and single Red-breasted Geese in Sussex and Dumfries and Galloway.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Wednesday 2nd October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a White's Thrush on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, with Glossy Ibis, Subalpine Warbler, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Purple Heron, Bluethroat and two Wrynecks all noted around the archipelago. Meanwhile, on the Shetland Isles, the Hudsonian Whimbrel remained with Pechora Pipit, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs, Little Bunting, two each of both Olive-backed Pipit and Red-breasted Flycatcher, 17 Yellow-browed Warblers, and single Great Grey Shrike, Dotterel and Lapland Bunting all noted.

Other new rarities today comprised a Black-eared Wheatear in Cornwall on The Lizard, Sykes's Warbler in County Cork at Garinish with an Ortolan Bunting on nearby Dursey Island, Siberian Stonechat in Kent at Cliffe Pools, and American Golden Plovers in South Yorkshire at Old Moor, and on North Uist, Western Isles.

Elsewhere, lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Red-eyed Vireo in County Kerry, Western Bonelli's Warbler in County Cork, Blyth's Reed Warbler reported still in Wirral, Siberian Stonechat in Suffolk, Olive-backed Pipit in East Yorkshire, Little Bunting in Northumberland, three Blue-winged Teals together in Lincolnshire, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall, Lesser Yellowlegs in Kent, American Golden Plover on the Western Isles, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, and Glossy Ibises in Anglesey, Cumbria (5), Denbighshire, Devon, Dumfries and Galloway (4), and Somerset.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 1st October 2013  
  Whilst not the rarest bird of the day, an Olive-backed Pipit at Spurn, East Yorkshire was probably the highlight. Despite being elusive at times, great views could be had throughout the day, made even better when it was trapped and ringed early evening. This is, perhaps surprisingly, the second Olive-backed Pipit to be ringed at Spurn, following one in 1981.

Other new discoveries included a Red-eyed Vireo at Dunquin, County Kerry, a Siberian Stonechat at Trimley, Suffolk, a Snowy Owl near Ardara, County Donegal, a Greenish Warbler near Campbeltown, Argyll and an American Golden Plover at Eoropie, Western Isles. New arrivals on Shetland included an Arctic Warbler and Blyth's Reed Warbler on Unst and Little Buntings on Fair Isle and Mainland.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Hudsonian Whimbrel, Pechora Pipit, Arctic Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Lesser Yellowlegs on Shetland, Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Western Bonelli's Warbler in County Cork, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall and Two-barred Crossbill in Norfolk.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Monday 30th September 2013  
  Shetland achieved its fourth Hudsonian Whimbrel today, this time on Yell. No other county in Britain or Ireland has had more than one record of the species. The sixth Isabelline Wheatear for Wales was also found today, with the second for Pembrokeshire being seen at Martin's Haven from late morning.

A Booted Warbler at Seaford Head, Sussex was the best of the rest, with other new rarities today including an Arctic Warbler, two Olive-backed Pipits and a Little Bunting on Shetland (with another Olive-backed Pipit in Fife and two Little Buntings in Northumberland), a Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, an American Golden Plover in County Wexford and Glossy Ibises in Devon, Lancashire, Anglesey and four in Dumfries and Galloway. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was reported from Red Rocks, Wirral.

Lingering rarity highlights included Sykes's Warbler, Brown Shrike, Pechora Pipit, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Lesser Yellowlegs on Shetland, Roller on the Western Isles, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Western Bonelli's Warbler in County Cork, Subalpine Warbler and Little Bunting on the Isles of Scilly, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall and Red-breasted Goose in Dumfries and Galloway.
-  Will Soar, RBA