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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Sunday 27th October 2013  
  It was hard to believe that both the Wilson's Warbler and Cape May Warbler could be trumped this autumn, but a Ruby-crowned Kinglet on Cape Clear Island, County Cork certainly did that today. This first for Britain and Ireland and fourth for the Western Palearctic was trapped and ringed in the Cotter's Garden mid afternoon, but wasn't seen for long after release. With the coming storm, it is unlikely any boats will make it across tomorrow.

In Norfolk, a Black-browed Albatross flew west past Overstrand late afternoon, having probably been seen past Hopton-on-Sea earlier. A swift with a white rump at Paston was reported as a possible Pacific Swift, although, with a White-rumped Swift in Sweden at the same time, questions may be asked. The Pallid Swift fest continued on the north-east Norfolk coast, with at least one between Cromer and Trimingham. A group of three Pallid Swifts was at Foreness Point, Kent.

Other new discoveries were rather sparse, with an American Golden Plover at Newtownards, County Down, and Glossy Ibises at Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire (two) and Hartlepool, Cleveland.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Cape May Warbler in Shetland, Semipalmated Plover in Hampshire, White's Thrush and Radde's Warbler on the Isles of Scilly, Northern Harriers in Cambridgeshire and County Wexford, Sardinian Warbler in Borders and Western Bonelli's Warbler and Dusky Warbler in Cleveland.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 26th October 2013  
  A White's Thrush was seen on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, where it was present in the Parsonage briefly early morning and again briefly at dusk. Also present yesterday, it is debatable as to whether it is a different individual to the one present on the same island on the 2nd and 3rd of October: either scenario would be remarkable. A Radde's Warbler was also found on St Agnes this afternoon, and the Subalpine Warbler remained on St Mary's.

At the opposite end of the country, the Cape May Warbler remained on Unst, Shetland, with a new Dusky Warbler at Lerwick, Mainland. The Red-flanked Bluetail also remained at Walls.

Other new discoveries included a White-billed Diver off Bass Point, Cornwall, a Radde's Warbler at Titchfield Haven NNR, Hampshire, a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Ballycotton, County Cork, a Baird's Sandpiper at Fanad Head, County Donegal, a second Penduline Tit at Dungeness, Kent and a Glossy Ibis at Kilnsea, Yorkshire. A new Pallid Swift was at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, and two were in the Overstrand, Sidestrand and Trimingham area of Norfolk (with another still lingering nearby at Cromer).

Other lingering rarities seen today included the Semipalmated Plover in Hampshire, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in Northamptonshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Devon, Two-barred Crossbill in Kent, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Dusky Warbler in Cleveland, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire and fifteen Glossy Ibises in six counties.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 25th October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the Cape May Warbler on Unst. Elsewhere around the Shetland Isles a Red-flanked Bluetail was discovered on Mainland at Walls, and a Little Bunting was new at Hoswick. Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly Subalpine Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Spotted Crake, two Red-breasted Flycatchers and four Yellow-browed Warblers were logged.

In Norfolk a Radde's Warbler was found at Happisburgh, whilst other late autumn specials included a Red-throated Pipit in Devon on Lundy, Dusky Warbler in East Yorkshire at Spurn, Penduline Tit in Kent at Dungeness, and Pallid Swift in both Dorset and Norfolk.

Other rarities comprised the Semipalmated Plover and Red-breasted Goose both still present in Hampshire, Two-barred Crossbill in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper and American Golden Plover in County Kerry, three Blue-winged Teals together in Lincolnshire, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire and County Wexford, and 12 Glossy Ibises across four counties; Essex (2), Greater Manchester (4), Kent and Western Isles (5).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Thursday 24th October 2013  
  The Cape May Warbler remained at Baltasound on Unst, but in strong winds and squally showers it was only seen intermittently. However, it did show very well for a period in the afternoon allowing those who made the long journey northwards to get some gripping views. At the other end of the country, the Semipalmated Plover was found again on Hayling Island in Hampshire, roosting with Ringed Plovers during the afternoon.

A Western Bonelli's Warbler was found at Holkham in Norfolk and Pallid Swifts were found at Felbrigg in Norfolk and Christchurch in Hampshire. A Subalpine Warbler was new in on St.Mary's on the Scillies. A Penduline Tit was found at Dungeness in Kent. New Glossy Ibises were over Angmering and (possibly the same bird later) at Pagham in West Sussex and at Leighton Moss in Lancashire, with four briefly at Rumworth Lodge Reservoir in Greater Manchester.

Lingering rarities included Two-barred Crossbills in Kent and Norfolk, Dusky Warbler in Yorkshire, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Western Bonelli's Warbler in Cleveland, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, Baird's Sandpiper in County Kerry, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, with a further six Glossy Ibises scattered through Essex, Kent, Somerset and Carmarthenshire.
-  Pete Hayman, RBA
Wednesday 23rd October 2013  
  A Cape May Warbler found today on Unst, Shetland Isles is the second British (and second Western Palearctic) record - following a male in song at Paisley Glen, Clyde on 17th June 1977 - and is, without doubt, the highlight of the autumn in Britain. It was discovered in gardens near Baltasound, where it was still present at dusk. On Fair Isle the Siberian Rubythroat remained in the morning, as did Olive-backed Pipit and Little Bunting. Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly two Rose-coloured Starlings, Short-toed Lark, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck, Spotted Crake and seven Yellow-browed Warblers were logged, although the star bird was a Fea's Petrel seen from the departing Scillonian III.

Discoveries elsewhere included a Red-eyed Vireo in Cornwall at Prussia Cove, a Pallid Swift in Norfolk between Cley and Weybourne, an American Golden Plover in Somerset at Blagdon Lake, Cackling Goose in Highland at Scrabster, and a Glossy Ibis in Worcestershire at Upton Warren.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Pallid Swift in Cleveland, Siberian Stonechat in North Yorkshire, single Two-barred Crossbills in both Kent and Norfolk, two Dusky Warblers in East Yorkshire, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, three Blue-winged Teals together in Lincolnshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Carmarthenshire, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire and County Wexford, two Cackling Geese in Argyll, and 13 more Glossy Ibises.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 22nd October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the male Siberian Rubythroat on Fair Isle, where Paddyfield Warbler, Red-throated Pipit and Olive-backed Pipit were all also logged. Elsewhere around the Shetland Isles American Buff-bellied Pipit, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Little Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Glaucous Gull and two Yellow-browed Warblers were noted. Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly the Sora remained with Short-toed Lark, Spotted Crake, two Spoonbills and 10 Yellow-browed Warblers.

Elsewhere, an Isabelline Wheatear was reported in East Yorkshire at Patrington Haven, with other new rarities comprising a Pallid Swift in Norfolk at Winterton, Thrush Nightingale and American Golden Plover together in County Cork on Dursey Island, Little Bunting on the Western Isles on Barra, and a Black-bellied Dipper on South Ronaldsay, Orkney Isles.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present included Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Forster's Tern in County Dublin, Pallid Swift in Cleveland, Siberian Stonechat in North Yorkshire and Northumberland, Dusky Warbler in East Yorkshire, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Baird's Sandpiper in County Kerry, Blue-winged Teal in County Cork, White-rumped Sandpiper in Norfolk, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, two Richardson's Cackling Geese in Argyll, and nine Glossy Ibises across four English counties.

Scarcities included seven Parrot Crossbills together in Kent, Pallas's Warblers in Borders and Northumberland (2), Rose-coloured Starling in Cornwall and Norfolk, and Hoopoe in both County Durham and Nottinghamshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 21st October 2013  
  Highlight of the day was the discovery of a male Siberian Rubythroat on Fair Isle, whilst on Orkney a Paddyfield Warbler was in Kirkwall.

Elsewhere rarity sightings included Western Bonelli's Warbler and Pallid Swift in Cleveland (with probable Pallid Swifts in Kent and Suffolk and reports of unidentified Common or Pallid Swifts in Norfolk and London), Sora on Isles of Scilly, Olive-backed Pipit in Pembrokeshire, Dusky Warbler in East Yorkshire, Siberian Stonechats in Northumberland and North Yorkshire, White-rumped Sandpiper in Norfolk, Red-flanked Bluetails in Orkney and Shetland, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Baird's Sandpiper in Co Kerry, Two-barred Crossbill and six Parrot Crossbills in Kent, two Richardson's Cackling Geese in Argll, three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire, Little Bunting in Orkney, and Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire.

The best of the rest included three Glossy Ibises, two Hoopoes, two Rose-coloured Starlings, two Short-toed Larks, Red-breasted Flycatcher (Co Durham), Spotted Crake (Isles of Scilly) and Pallas's Warbler (Borders)

Yesterday a Northern Harrier was photographed at Ouse Washes RSPB, where it was present for its third day.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 20th October 2013  
  Five new rarities were discovered on Shetland today, the highlight being a Red-flanked Bluetail at Upper Voe, Mainland. A Lanceolated Warbler and an Olive-backed Pipit were on Fair Isle, while back on Mainland a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll was at Swinister and a Coues's Arctic Redpoll was at Quendale.

Further south, a Siberian Stonechat was seen at Howick, Northumberland and an Isabelline Shrike was at Donna Nook, Lincolnshire. Other new rarities included a Blue-winged Teal at Ballycotton, County Cork, an Olive-backed Pipit on North Ronaldsay, Orkney and Glossy Ibises were at East Chevington, Northumberland and Abberton Reservoir, Essex.

Lingering rarity highlights included the Semipalmated Plover in both Hampshire and West Sussex, a Sora on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, Red-flanked Bluetail on Orkney, Pallid Swift and Western Bonelli's Warbler in Cleveland, Sardinian Warbler and Radde's Warblers in Borders and the Isles of Scilly, Dusky Warblers in Fife, Cleveland and Yorkshire, Siberian Stonechat in Yorkshire, Olive-backed Pipit and White-rumped Sandpiper on Shetland, Long-billed Dowitcher and Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, Forster's Tern in County Dublin, Northern Harrier in County Wexford and Two-barred Crossbill and six Parrot Crossbills in Kent.
-  Will Soar, RBA
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