Sunday 3rd July 2016
	New rarities discovered today comprised a Citrine Wagtail in Suffolk at Orford Ness, a Blue-winged Teal in County Londonderry at Lough Beg, a brief Bee-eater in Norfolk at Waxham, and Wilson's Petrels at sea off both County Cork and the Isles of Scilly. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the American White-winged Scoter in Aberdeenshire, both Great Knot and Savi's Warbler in Norfolk, Hudsonian Whimbrel in Cornwall, Little Bittern in South Yorkshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Northumberland, and Ferruginous Duck in County Durham. Scarcities included Common Rosefinch (London), Red-backed Shrike (Kent), Hoopoe (Somerset), Red-necked Phalarope (Northumberland), American Wigeon (Suffolk), Surf Scoter (Aberdeenshire and Lothian), and two each of both Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis. Significant late news concerned a Seaside Sparrow that was ship-assisted from eastern North America during May, and was still onboard the cruise liner MV Balmoral at Ringaskiddy, County Cork on 18th May, Southampton, Hampshire on 20th May, and North Shields on 21st, 26th and 31st May, before the ship sailed to Iceland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA