Sunday 12th March 2017
	The highlight of the day was a Black-throated Thrush found in Fulwood, Lancashire, the first county record. Meanwhile in Leicestershire the first county record of Bonaparte's Gull was discovered at Swithland Reservoir. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Blue Rock Thrush in Gloucestershire, Pacific Diver in Northumberland, Forster's Tern in County Galway, both Hume's Warbler and Lesser Yellowlegs in Dorset, Eastern Black Redstart in Cleveland, Long-billed Dowitcher in County Wexford, Bonaparte's Gulls in both Cornwall and County Kerry, and Lesser Scaup in Cornwall. Scarcities included Bluethroat (Lincolnshire), Rose-coloured Starling (West Sussex), Little Bunting (Bedfordshire), Rough-legged Buzzard (Norfolk), two Yellow-browed Warblers, three Surf Scoters, five American Wigeons, six Glossy Ibises, seven Ring-necked Ducks, eight Ring-billed Gulls and 26 Shorelarks. Amonst the spring migrants Sand Martin and Wheatear are now widespread, along with a total of 31 Garganey, eight Swallows, seven White Wagtails, five each of Little Ringed Plover and House Martin, Ring Ouzel (Wirral) and Willow Warbler (East Sussex).
-  Chris Batty, RBA