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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Saturday 19th October 2013  
  Despite being the best county in Britain to see Sora, with a third of the accepted records, today is the first time two have been present at the same time, or even the same year, on the Isles of Scilly. The long staying individual was present all day on the Great Pool, Tresco, whilst one was retrospectively identified from photographs taken at the Shooters' Pool, Lower Moors, St Mary's.

The Semipalmated Plover was again present on Hayling Island, Hampshire for just over three hours, and it was also seen nearby on Pilsey Sands, West Sussex briefly, where it was also seen yesterday.

Other new discoveries today included a Whiskered Tern at Bamburgh, Northumberland, Radde's Warblers at St Abb's Head, Borders and on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, Dusky Warblers at Sea Palling, Norfolk, Fife Ness Muir, Fife and Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland, an Olive-backed Pipit at Vidlin, Shetland, a Red-throated Pipit at Church Norton, West Sussex, Little Buntings at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire and on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, a Pacific Golden Plover at Breydon Water, Norfolk, a Blue-winged Teal at Rahasane Turlough, County Galway and Glossy Ibises at Welney WWT, Norfolk and Freshwater, Isle of Wight.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Isabelline Shrike on Shetland, Daurian Shrike in Yorkshire, Pallid Swift and Western Bonelli's Warbler in Cleveland, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Siberian Stonechat in Yorkshire, Northern Harrier in County Wexford and Forster's Tern in County Dublin.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 18th October 2013  
  The Semipalmated Plover was present again at Hayling Island in Hampshire between 11.30am and 2.30pm when it flew off, possibly into Sussex.

New rarities found today comprised two more Red-flanked Bluetails, one at Spurn in Yorkshire and one at Westray on the Orkney Islands, a Dusky Warbler, also at Spurn, four Glossy Ibises which flew east along the north Norfolk coast and an American Golden Plover on Fair Isle.

Lingering rarities included Isabelline Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit and White-rumped Sandpiper on the Shetland Isles, Sora on the Scilly Isles, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Coue's Arctic Redpoll in Cleveland, Dusky Warblers at Filey and Aldborough in Yorkshire and Weybourne in Norfolk, Olive-backed Pipit and Little Bunting on the Farne Islands in Northumberland, Two-barred Crossbills in Norfolk (2) and Hemsted in Kent (where there were also 5 Parrot Crossbills), Red-breasted Goose and Long-billed Dowitcher in Hampshire, Daurian Shrike and Siberian Stonechat in Yorkshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders and Blue-winged Teals in Clyde and Lincolnshire (3). Apart from those in north Norfolk a further 11 Glossy Ibises were reported from Kent to Cumbria.
-  Pete Hayman, RBA
Thursday 17th October 2013  
  The highlight of today was the discovery of the first Semipalmated Plover for mainland Britain for fifteen years. The first-winter was seen and heard at Black Point, Hayling Island, Hampshire as the tide rose mid morning, but flew east and wasn't seen again.

Other new discoveries today included a Grey-cheeked Thrush at Mizen Head, County Cork, an Isabelline Shrike on Whalsay, a Citrine Wagtail at Fleck and a White-rumped Sandpiper at Boddam, all Shetland, a Pallid Swift at Hartlepool, Cleveland, a Coues's Arctic Redpoll on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, two Olive-backed Pipits at Flamborough, Yorkshire, Dusky Warblers at Hook, County Wexford, Caernarfon, Gwynedd and Filey, Yorkshire and a Bonaparte's Gull at Rush, County Dublin. A new Glossy Ibis was at Pensthorpe, Norfolk.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Sora on the Isles of Scilly, Red-flanked Bluetail in Suffolk, Siberian Stonechat and Daurian Shrike in Yorkshire, Western Bonelli's Warblers in Yorkshire and Orkney, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Coues's Arctic Redpoll in Cleveland, Two-barred Crossbill in Kent and Forster's Tern in County Dublin.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Wednesday 16th October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler on the Isles of Scilly, on Gugh: the first record of this species on the islands. Elsewhere, around the archipelago, Purple Heron, Short-toed Lark, Spotted Crake, Wryneck, Lapland Bunting, Balearic Shearwater and 10 Yellow-browed Warblers were logged.

On the Shetland Isles Blyth's Reed Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Richard's Pipit, Arctic Redpoll, Purple Heron, four Yellow-browed Warblers and five Lapland Buntings.

Along the English east coast a Siberian Stonechat was discovered in North Yorkshire at Scalby Nab, a Radde's Warbler was in County Durham, Red-flanked Bluetail and Radde's Warbler in Suffolk, Daurian Shrike and two Little Buntings in East Yorkshire, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Coues's Arctic Redpoll in Cleveland, Olive-backed Pipit and two Little Buntings together in Northumberland, and the Dusky Warbler still in Norfolk.

Otherwise, rarities comprised the Sardinian Warbler still in Borders, Forster's Tern in County Dublin, Blyth's Reed Warbler on the Orkney Isles, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, American Golden Plover in County Galway, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, and Glossy Ibises in Essex, Kent and Somerset (3).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 15th October 2013  
  A Daurian Shrike at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire was the highlight of the day, with an Olive-backed Pipit also new in at the same site. Other Olive-backed Pipits were at Saltholme RSPB, Cleveland, Farne Islands, Northumberland and North Ronaldsay, Orkney, whilst a Red-throated Pipit was on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly. A Blyth's Reed Warbler and an Arctic Redpoll were also found on North Ronaldsay, with two Dusky Warblers further north on Fair Isle, Shetland. Another Dusky Warbler was at Filey, Yorkshire, whilst an Arctic Redpoll and three Little Buntings were also on Shetland, on Foula (two) and at Sullom, Mainland, and another was at Spurn, Yorkshire. A juvenile Northern Harrier was at Tacumshin, County Wexford.

A White-rumped Sandpiper was found on the Bann Estuary, County Derry, and Glossy Ibises were in Kent, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Somerset. The Bonelli's warbler in Cleveland was confirmed as a Western Bonelli's Warbler.

Lingering rarities included the Red-flanked Bluetail in Suffolk, Siberian Stonechat in Norfolk, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Wilson's Phalarope in Shetland, Radde's Warbler in Hampshire, Dusky Warblers in Norfolk and Yorkshire (two), Rustic Bunting in Yorkshire, Two-barred Crossbills in Kent and Norfolk (two), Long-billed Dowitcher and Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Blue-winged Teal in Clyde, Lesser Scaups in Greater Manchester and Glamorgan and Bonaparte's Gull in Devon.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Monday 14th October 2013  
  Rare and scarce birds continued to arrive on the east coast - Radde's Warbler and Rustic Bunting (East Yorkshire), Siberian Stonechat and Coues's Arctic Redpoll (Norfolk), White-rumped Sandpiper (Lincolnshire), two Olive-backed Pipits, three Little Buntings, four Red-flanked Bluetails and five Dusky Warblers were all recorded today.

On Shetland the Wilson's Phalarope (Mainland) and Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll (Yell) both lingered, whilst Fair Isle hosted Red-throated Pipit, two Olive-backed Pipits, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Arctic Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler and two Little Buntings.

On Isles of Scilly the Grey-cheeked Thrush and a Little Bunting were logged on St Mary's and the Sora remained on Tresco.

In Co Mayo a White-rumped Sandpiper and American Golden Plover were discovered on The Mullet. Elsewhere lingering rarities included Radde's Warbler, Long-billed Dowitcher and Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Long-billed Dowitcher and Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, Bonaparte's Gull in Devon, Lesser Scaup in Greater Manchester, Western Bonelli's Warbler on Orkney, Lesser Yellowlegs in Carmarthenshire, Baird's Sandpiper in Co Kerry, Two-barred Crossbills in Norfolk (2) and Kent, Forster's Tern in Co Dublin, Sardinian Warbler in Borders and at least 15 Glossy Ibises.

The best of the rest included two Short-toed Larks, two Bluethroats, at least four Rose-coloured Starlings, at least five Parrot Crossbills and at least 15 Pallas's Warblers.

In Cleveland a Bonelli's warbler species present at Hartlepool on Sunday was belatedly identified from photographs - the first record for Co Durham and Cleveland.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 13th October 2013  
  Once again a superb day to be out on the east coast, but still without the outstanding mega headline bird. Highlights were single Red-flanked Bluetails at Crail, Fife and Happisburgh, Norfolk and a lovely male Pied Wheatear on Bardsey Island, Gwynedd (which was killed by a Sparrowhawk not long after its discovery). A small influx of Coues's Arctic Redpolls involved birds in Lincolnshire and Norfolk (at Theddlethorpe in the former, and at Morston [two], Warham Greens, Wells Woods and Blakeney Point in the latter), whilst Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls were at Port Nis, Western Isles and Mid Yell and Quendale, Shetland. A male Two-barred Crossbill was in Hemsted Forest, Kent, and the four Parrot Crossbills remained in Gunners Park, Essex.

Radde's Warblers were seen at Andover, Hampshire, Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire and Buckton, Yorkshire, and Dusky Warblers were at Kilnsea, Yorkshire (two), Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire and Fair Isle, Shetland. A Red-throated Pipit was recorded at Flamborough Head and three Little Buntings were at Spurn, both Yorkshire. The Bonaparte's Gull reappeared at Teignmouth, Devon, a Cackling Goose was at Malin Head, County Donegal and an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull was at The Gearagh, County Cork.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Sora and Grey-cheeked Thrush on the Isles of Scilly, Wilson's Phalarope on Shetland, Laughing Gull on Orkney and Sardinian Warbler in Borders.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 12th October 2013  
  An exceptional autumn day produced the highest number of messages ever, with 721 sent. Despite there being no outstanding mega rarities, good numbers of the regular rarities were found. Bird of the day probably goes to the Paddyfield Warbler on Unst, Shetland, with a Siberian Stonechat nearby on Bressay and an Olive-backed Pipit and Little Bunting on Fair Isle. Further Olive-backed Pipits were at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire and Holland Haven Country Park, Essex, while Red-throated Pipits were recorded at Spurn, Yorkshire, Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire and Mizen Head, County Cork, and a Tawny Pipit flew over Porthgwarra, Cornwall. A Radde's Warbler was at Brighton, Sussex, and Dusky Warblers were at West Runton, Norfolk, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire and Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, with single Little Buntings at Grimston and Easington, Yorkshire, Farne Islands, Northumberland and Seaham, County Durham. A male Red-footed Falcon flew north over Bawdsey and Shingle Street, Suffolk, a Glossy Ibis was at Stanwick GPs, Northamptonshire and an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull roosted at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Sora and Grey-cheeked Thrush on the Isles of Scilly, Pechora Pipit, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Isabelline Shrike, Wilson's Phalarope, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Black-bellied Dipper on Shetland, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Long-billed Dowitchers in Hampshire and Glamorgan, Lesser Yellowlegs in Kent, Rustic Bunting in Yorkshire, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire and four Two-barred Crossbills in Norfolk.

Scarcity totals included 34 Great Grey Shrikes, 11 Pallas's Warblers, 88 Yellow-browed Warblers, ten Richard's Pipits, eight Red-breasted Flycatchers, five Short-toed Larks, two Common Rosefinches, a Hoopoe and a Bluethroat. Four Parrot Crossbills were at Gunners Park, Essex.

Triple figure counts of Ring Ouzels today came from the south coast, with 390 at Beachy Head, 205 at Hastings Country Park, 162 at Crowlink and 150 at Seaford Head, all Sussex, and 100 at Dungeness, Kent.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 11th October 2013  
  New arrivals found on Shetland today included a Grey-cheeked Thrush, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Little Bunting on Fair Isle, a Black-bellied Dipper on Unst and a White-rumped Sandpiper, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Blyth's Reed Warbler on Mainland. Lingerers on the archipelago included Pechora Pipit, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Isabelline Shrike and Wilson's Phalarope.

Elsewhere, single Rustic Buntings were brief visitors to Warham Greens, Norfolk and Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, with a Coues's Arctic Redpoll and Two-barred Crossbill further south in Kent. An American Golden Plover was at Swainbost, Lewis, Western Isles and Glossy Ibises were found at Longton Marsh, Lancashire (four), Weymouth and Portland, Dorset and Newport Wetlands, Gwent.

Other lingering rarities seen today included the Sora on the Isles of Scilly, Thrush Nightingale in Dorset, Western Bonelli's Warbler in Orkney, Long-billed Dowitcher in Glamorgan, Baird's Sandpiper in County Kerry, American Golden Plover in County Galway, three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire, Lesser Scaup in Greater Manchester, Richardson's Cackling Goose in Argyll and Glossy Ibises in Shropshire, Somerset (three), Kent and Staffordshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 10th October 2013  
  The rarest bird of the day was the Grey-cheeked Thrush on Barra, Western Isles, which was trapped and ringed at Sgaillairaidh House, Brevig. This is the third American thrush species for the island in the last four years, following the Swainson's Thrush last year and the Hermit Thrush in 2010.

New arrivals on Shetland included a Wilson's Phalarope at Sand Voe and a Pechora Pipit at Toab, both Mainland, and an Isabelline Shrike on Foula, where the American Buff-bellied Pipit remained. A Dusky Warbler was very elusive at Sandy Point,, Hayling Island, Hampshire, while other new discoveries included an Ortolan Bunting at Pegwell Bay and a Black Kite at Dungeness, both Kent, a White-rumped Sandpiper at Salthouse, Norfolk and single Glossy Ibises at Wickford, Essex and Doxey Marshes, Staffordshire.

Lingering rarities included the Sora on the Isles of Scilly, Isabelline Wheatear in Pembrokeshire, Pied-billed Grebe and Black Duck in County Mayo, Laughing Gull in Orkney, Two-barred Crossbill in Surrey, Blyth's Reed Warbler in Shetland, Long-billed Dowitcher in Glamorgan, Black-winged Stilt in Cornwall and single Baird's Sandpipers in County Cork, County Kerry and Gloucestershire.
-  Will Soar, RBA