Thursday 29th September 2016
	Britain's first Eastern Kingbird was discovered on Barra (Western Isles) this afternoon. There have been two Irish records (both in Co Galway, on 5th October 2012 and 24th September 2013), but both have only been available on the day of disovery. American landbirds also featured in Ireland, where a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at Garinish (Co Cork) and a Red-eyed Vireo was on Inishbofin (Co Galway). Elsewhere rarity highlights included Brunnich's Guillemot (Fife), Lesser Grey Shrike (Devon), Dalmatian Pelican (Cornwall), Greenish Warbler (Dorset), Ferruginous Duck (London), Western Purple Swamphen (Lincolnshire) and Pallid Harrier (Kent), whilst Shetland hosted Brown Shrike, Greenish Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Paddyfield Warbler. Rare shorebirds comprised White-rumped Sandpiper (Co Kerry), two Baird's Sandpipers, three Lesser Yellowlegs and six Semipalmated Sandpipers.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA