Thursday 17th December 2015
	The highlight of the day was a brief Red-rumped Swallow in Norfolk at Cley: although not so unusual in November, a December occurrence is exceptional. Rarities elsewhere comprised the Western Rufous Turtle Dove still on the Shetland Isles, the Pacific Diver still in Cornwall where the regular wintering Lesser Scaup has returned, Pallid Harrier in Norfolk, Long-billed Dowitcher in Northumberland, Lesser Scaup in Somerset and Ferruginous Duck in Hampshire. Scarcities included Hoopoe (West Midlands), Little Bunting (Cornwall), two each of Snow Goose, Glossy Ibis, Ring-necked Duck and Green-winged Teal, three of Shorelark, Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard and Cattle Egret, four Surf Scoters, and seven each of Lapland Bunting and Waxwing. Scarce gulls comprised two Ring-billed, four Glaucous, seven Iceland and 15 Caspian.
-  Chris Batty, RBA