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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Thursday 31st October 2013  
  The highlight of the day was a Red-flanked Bluetail on North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Other new discoveries today were a Little Bunting on Tresco, Isles of Scilly and a White-rumped Sandpiper at Ballycotton, County Cork.

The Cape May Warbler remained at Hillside, Unst, Shetland, although it was only seen once today, mid afternoon. At the opposite end of the country at Porthgwarra, Cornwall, the Hermit Thrush also remained, as did the Mourning Dove on the Isle of Rhum, Highland. On the Isles of Scilly both the White's Thrush and the American Robin were seen.

Other lingering rarities included the Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in Leicestershire, single Bonaparte's Gulls in Northumberland and Devon, White-rumped Sandpiper in Cornwall, Blue-winged Teal in Lincolnshire, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire and single Glossy Ibises in Cleveland, Essex and Kent.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Wednesday 30th October 2013  
  Lingering megas dominated the headlines today, with the Cape May Warbler still present on the Shetland Isles on Unst, Mourning Dove in Highland on Rhum, Hermit Thrush in Cornwall at Porthgwarra, and on the Isles of Scilly both American Robin and White's Thrush were present alongside Paddyfield, Dusky and Subalpine Warbler.

Rarities elsewhere comprised Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Two-barred Crossbills in both Norfolk and Surrey, Penduline Tit in Kent, Little Bunting on the Orkney Isles, Bonaparte's Gulls in both Devon and Northumberland, Red-breasted Goose and Long-billed Dowitcher in Hampshire, White-rumped Sandpiper in Cornwall and the Western Isles, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in Leicestershire, and seven Glossy Ibises.

Scarcities included Pallas's Warbler (West Sussex), Parrot Crossbill (2 in Kent), Richard's Pipit (2 in Lincolnshire), Rose-coloured Starling (Cornwall and Norfolk), Red-breasted Flycatcher (County Galway), Barred Warbler (East Yorkshire), Common Rosefinch (Orkney Isles), and Red-backed Shrike (South Yorkshire).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 29th October 2013  
  More Nearctic landbirds today, with a Hermit Thrush discovered in Cornwall at Porthgwarra headlining the cast, alongside a new Myrtle Warbler in County Galway on Inishmore, - with the other Myrtle Warbler remaining in Devon on Lundy - the Cape May Warbler still on the Shetland Isles on Unst, and the Mourning Dove still on Rhum, Highland.

Meanwhile, on the Isles of Scilly an American Robin was discovered on Tresco, with notable birds around the archipelago comprising White's Thrush, Sora, Dusky Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and five Yellow-browed Warblers.

Otherwise, a Lesser Kestrel was identified as present for a second day in Devon at Torquay, the Sardinian Warbler remained in Borders, as did Western Bonelli's Warbler and Dusky Warbler in Cleveland, Two-barred Crossbill in Norfolk (2) and Suffolk, Red-throated Pipit in Suffolk, Bonaparte's Gull in Devon and Northumberland, White-rumped Sandpiper in Cornwall and the Western Isles, White-billed Diver in County Kerry, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, three Blue-winged Teals together in Lincolnshire, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan, Ferruginous Duck in Somerset, Northern Harrier in Cambridgeshire, and 10 Glossy Ibises spread across six English counties.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 28th October 2013  
  Two Mega rare American land birds were discovered today: a Mourning Dove on the Isle of Rhum, Highland, and a Myrtle Warbler on Lundy, Devon. Despite being just the third record for Britain, the Mourning Dove is perhaps the slightly less sought after of the two, after the last individual (in 2007) stayed on North Uist, Western Isles for ten days. The last of 17 Myrtle Warblers seen in Britain was in 2003 when one spent a week on Orkney, with three short staying birds before that, following the last long staying bird (12 days) on the Isles of Scilly back in 1995. The Mourning Dove is, however, the only one which is likely to prove twitchable if it lingers, as there are no boats to Lundy, and the helicopter only runs on Monday and Friday.

In County Cork, negative news came from Cape Clear Island, where there was no sign of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Only two other rarities were discovered today, both of which were White-billed Divers. One was in Sandy Bay, County Kerry, and one returned to Bluemull Sound, Shetland.

Lingering rarities included the Cape May Warbler and Dusky Warbler in Shetland, White's Thrush, Sora and Subalpine Warbler on the Isles of Scilly, Sardinian Warbler in Borders, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Dusky Warbler in Cleveland, Pallid Swift in Kent, American Golden Plover in County Down, Red-breasted Goose in Hampshire, three Blue-winged Teals in Lincolnshire, Lesser Scaup in Glamorgan. Glossy Ibises were seen in Kent, Norfolk, Somerset (two), Cleveland and the Western Isles (five).
-  Will Soar, RBA
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