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.

Choose a starting date
Tuesday 10th October 2017  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of both Radde's Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit in Norfolk at Wells Woods, with a further Radde's Warbler new in Suffolk at Dunwich Heath, a Dusky Warbler on the Orkney Isles on North Ronaldsay, Red-throated Pipit in County Cork at Lissagriffin, and a White-rumped Sandpiper at Tacumshin, County Wexford.

On the Shetland Isles both the White-crowned Sparrow and Isabelline Shrike species remained on Foula with around the islands totals of Thrush Nightingale, Red-throated Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Marsh Warbler, Bluethroat, Little Bunting, Ring-necked Duck, Lapland Bunting and four each of both Parrot Crossbill and Common Rosefinch.

On the Isles of Scilly the Isabelline Wheatear remained on St Mary's with around the archipelago highlights of American Golden Plover, Rose-coloured Starling, Spotted Crake, Wryneck and Grey Phalarope.

Lingering rarities elsewhere comprised the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll still on the Orkney Isles, Arctic Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit in East Yorkshire, Wilson's Phalarope in Kent, Stilt Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs in Dorset, Spotted Sandpiper in County Cork, Lesser Yellowlegs in Dorset, County Galway and County Wexford, Long-billed Dowitchers in Kent, Merseyside and County Wexford (2), and a Richardson's Cackling Goose in Northumberland.

Significant late news concerned a male Siberian Rubythroat seen yesterday on the Shetland Isles at North Roe, Mainland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 9th October 2017  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the White-crowned Sparrow on the Shetland Isles on Foula. Noted elsewhere around that archipelago were Thrush Nightingale, Red-throated Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail, Eastern Stonechat, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Parrot Crossbill, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Richard's Pipit, two Lapland Buntings and 3 Little Buntings.

On the Isles of Scilly the Cedar Waxwing remained on St Agnes with around the islands Isabelline Wheatear, American Golden Plover, Golden Oriole, Icterine Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Spotted Crake and Lapland Bunting were all logged.

Rarities elsewhere comprised an Olive-backed Pipit new in East Yorkshire at Easington, a Long-billed Dowitcher found in Merseyside at Crossens Marsh, now two Richardson's Cackling Geese together in Northumberland at Budle Bay, a Red-throated Pipit briefly in London, Red-eyed Vireo, Pallid Harrier and Spotted Sandpiper all still in County Cork, Forster's Tern in County Louth, Stilt Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs in Dorset, Arctic Warbler in East Yorkshire, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher together in Kent, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Galway, White-rumped Sandpiper on the Western Isles, and on the Orkney Isles a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll on North Ronaldsay where unfortunately the Siberian Blue Robin could not be located.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 8th October 2017  
  The highlight of the day, and probably of the year, was the discovery of an adult male Siberian Blue Robin on North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Initially found inside a building, it was caught and processed for ringing, before being released into a crop field, where there was no further sign of it by dusk. This is the fourth record for Britain, but the second for North Ronaldsay, following a first-winter male on 2nd October 2001.

Further north, the sixth White-crowned Sparrow for Britain was found on Foula, Shetland, with a Pechora Pipit and Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll also new in on the island, and a Thrush Nightingale, Eastern Stonechat, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Blyth's Reed Warbler and a Radde's Warbler discovered elsewhere in the archipelago. Nearby, a Red-eyed Vireo was in Deerness and a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll was on North Ronaldsay, both Orkney, and, further south, an Olive-backed Pipit and Arctic Warbler were at Spurn, a Richardson's Cackling Goose was at Budle Bay, Northumberland and a White-billed Diver flew past Blakeney, Norfolk.

Lingering rarities included the Cedar Waxwing and Isabelline Wheatear in Scilly, Blackpoll Warbler in County Mayo, Red-eyed Vireos in County Galway and County Cork, Isabelline Shrike, two Red-throated Pipits, Rustic Bunting, Red-flanked Bluetail and two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls in Shetland, Stilt Sandpiper in Dorset, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent, further Long-billed Dowitchers in Lincolnshire and County Wexford (two), single Lesser Yellowlegs' in Dorset, County Wexford and County Galway, White-rumped Sandpiper in Western Isles, Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset, Spotted Sandpiper and Pallid Harrier in County Cork and Forster's Tern in County Louth.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 7th October 2017  
  A Cliff Swallow was seen for a few minutes at Porthgwarra, Cornwall mid morning, a Blackpoll Warbler was at Blacksod, County Mayo and a White's Thrush was on Fair Isle, Shetland. Other new discoveries included a Red-eyed Vireo on Inishmore, County Galway, an Olive-backed Pipit and four Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls on Unst and another of the latter on Foula, both Shetland, a Pallid Harrier at Kinsale, County Cork, a Lesser Yellowlegs at Tacumshin, County Wexford, a White-rumped Sandpiper on South Uist, Western Isles and a White-billed Diver at Whitburn, County Durham.

Lingering rarities included the Cedar Waxwing and Isabelline Wheatear in Scilly, Booted Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail, Rustic Bunting, Red-throated Pipit and a further two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls in Shetland, Red-eyed Vireo and Spotted Sandpiper in County Cork, Stilt Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent and two more Long-billed Dowitchers in County Wexford and one in Lincolnshire.

The best of the rest included a Melodious Warbler, a Little Bunting, a Richard's Pipit, a Marsh Warbler, a Wryneck, a Red-backed Shrike, two Red-breasted Flycatchers, three Common Rosefinches, three Barred Warblers, four Rose-coloured Starlings, seven Parrot Crossbills, a Spotted Crake, a Dotterel, a Red-necked Phalarope, seven Grey Phalaropes, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, two Pectoral Sandpipers, three American Golden Plovers, a Kumlien's Gull, an Iceland Gull, a Glaucous Gull, a Sabine's Gull, three Leach's Petrels, a Long-tailed Skua, three Pomarine Skuas, a Ring-necked Duck, a Green-winged Teal and two American Wigeon.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 6th October 2017  
  New discoveries in Shetland today included a Booted Warbler on Bressay, single Dusky Warblers at Gulberwick and Dale of Walls and two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls at Baltasound, Unst, with others at Skaw, Unst and Ollaberry, Mainland. Elsewhere, a second Long-billed Dowitcher arrived at Tacumshin, County Wexford.

Late news from yesterday concerned a Siberian Rubythroat which was present on Bressay, Shetland from late afternoon.

Lingering rarities included the Cedar Waxwing, Cliff Swallow, Isabelline Wheatear and three Bee-eaters in Scilly, Scarlet Tanager and Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail, Isabelline Shrike sp., Red-throated Pipit and Rustic Bunting in Shetland, Stilt Sandpiper in Dorset, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent, Long-billed Dowitcher in Lincolnshire, Spotted Sandpipers in Dorset and County Cork and Pallid Harrier in Cheshire.

Scarcity highlights included a Bluethroat, a Short-toed Lark, a Richard's Pipit, a Red-backed Shrike, two Red-breasted Flycatchers, two Common Rosefinches, two Rose-coloured Starlings, two Wrynecks, three Little Buntings, four Barred Warblers, 22 Parrot Crossbills, two Purple Herons, a Spotted Crake, a Red-necked Phalarope, 10 Grey Phalaropes, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, two Pectoral Sandpipers, four American Golden Plovers, three Long-tailed Skuas, seven Pomarine Skuas, two Leach's Petrels, two Little Auks, two Sabine's Gulls, a White-winged Black Tern, a Surf Scoter, a Green-winged Teal, two American Wigeon, two Ring-necked Ducks and a Glossy Ibis.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 5th October 2017  
  On Isles of Scilly the Cedar Waxwing, Cliff Swallow and Isabelline Wheatear all lingered, and an American Golden Plover, Bee-eater, Spotted Crake, Common Rosefinch and Wryneck were also logged.

On Shetland Isles a Booted Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail and Olive-backed Pipit were discovered, and American Buff-bellied Pipit, Rustic Bunting, two Red-throated Pipit and Isabelline shrike sp all lingered. A Ring-necked Duck, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Little Bunting, American Golden Plover, two Common Rosefinches and at least 11 Parrot Crossbills were spread across the archipelago.

Away from Scilly and Shetland new discoveries comprised Blyth's Pipit (Cornwall), Red-eyed Vireo and Spotted Sandpiper (Co Cork), Lesser Yellowlegs (Dorset and Co Galway), Ferruginous Duck (Lothian) and White-rumped Sandpiper (Western Isles), whilst Scarlet Tanager (Co Cork), Red-eyed Vireo (Co Kerry), Scops Owl (Co Durham), Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher (Kent) and Stilt and Spotted Sandpipers (Dorset) all lingered.

The best of the rest included Rose-coloured Starlings (Norfolk and East Yorkshire), Ring-necked Duck (Western Isles) White-winged Black Tern (Northumberland), Purple Heron (Lancashire), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Cornwall), American Golden Plover (Co Wexford), Red-backed Shrikes (Orkney and East Yorkshire) and Barred Warblers (Co Cork and Fife).
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Wednesday 4th October 2017  
  The lingering American landbirds on Isles of Scilly was the highlight of the day; both the Cedar Waxwing and Cliff Swallow remained St Agnes and St Mary's respectively. Elsewhere the Scarlet Tanager was still in Co Cork, whilst an American Buff-bellied Pipit was discovered on Mainland Shetland and a Red-eyed Vireo was in Co Kerry.

New discoveries also included Blyth's Reed Warbler on Orkney and Rustic Bunting on Shetland. Shetland also hosted another Rustic Bunting, two Red-throated Pipits, up to 13 Parrot Crossbills, American Golden Plover, Great Grey Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher and four Little Buntings, and Isles of Scilly produced the Isabelline Wheatear, three Bee-eaters, Spotted Crake, Rose-coloured Starling, American Golden Plover and Wryneck. The Spotted and Stilt Sandpipers (Dorset), Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher (Kent), Long-billed Dowitcher (Lincolnshire) and Red-breasted Goose (Orkney) also lingered.

The best of the rest included Melodious Warbler (Pembrokeshire), Purple Heron (Lancashire), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Cornwall), Red-backed Shrike and Rose-coloured Starling (East Yorkshire), Marsh Warbler (Lincolnshire), Common Rosefinch (Western Isles) and White-winged Black Tern (Northumberland).
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Tuesday 3rd October 2017  
  A red-letter day for Nearctic landbirds was headlined by the arrival of a Cedar Waxwing on the Isles of Scilly on St Agnes. Nearby the Cliff Swallow transferred from Tresco to St Mary's where the Isabelline Wheatear remained with elsewhere around the islands Pectoral Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting, two Wrynecks and three Bee-eaters.

Meanwhile in Ireland a Red-eyed Vireo discovered at Mizen Head, County Cork was surpassed by a Scarlet Tanager found at the same place late in the afternoon.

On the Shetland Isles more Parrot Crossbills arrived with 19 individuals present in four flocks including eight on Mainland at Sand. The Red-throated Pipit lingered on Unst as did the two Isabelline Shrike species on Foula with around archipelago totals of American Golden Plover, Bluethroat, Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting, two Olive-backed Pipits, four Red-breasted Flycatchers and six Little Buntings.

Rarities elsewhere comprised the Scops Owl showing again in County Durham at Ryhope with a brief Arctic Warbler at nearby Whitburn, a Wilson's Phalarope joined the Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent at Oare, the Roller remained in Highland as did both Stilt Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 2nd October 2017  
  The Isles of Scilly saw the highlight of the day with a Cliff Swallow discovered on Tresco in the afternoon. On St Mary's the Isabelline Wheatear remained with around the islands totals of three Bee-eaters, two Wrynecks, American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and Lapland Bunting.

On the Shetland Isles five Parrot Crossbills arrived on Unst and a Greenish Warbler was found on Fetlar, with around the archipelago Red-throated Pipit, Rustic Bunting, Olive-backed Pipit, Short-toed Lark, Common Rosefinch, Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting, two each of both Bluethroat and Barred Warbler, six Red-breasted Flycatchers and 10 Little Buntings all noted.

In Kent a Citrine Wagtail was new at Swalecliffe whilst lingering rarities confirmed as still present elsewhere comprised Stilt Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper both in Dorset, Pallid Harrier in Cheshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, and Long-billed Dowitchers in Kent, Lincolnshire and County Wexford.

Scarcities included White-winged Black Tern and the confiding Long-tailed Skua in Northumberland, American Golden Plover, Purple Heron and three Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Cornwall, Rose-coloured Starling, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Red-backed Shrike in East Yorkshire, Hoopoe in Pembrokeshire, Red-breasted Flycatcher in Essex, Purple Heron in Lancashire and Spotted Crake in London.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 1st October 2017  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler on the Shetland Isles at Burn of Collafirth, Mainland where it later showed well. Elsewhere around the archipelago a Greenish Warbler was on Mainland at Esha Ness, at least two Isabelline Shrike sp and a Booted Warbler remained on Foula, the Red-throated Pipit lingered on Unst, Marsh Warbler on Fair Isle, Short-toed Lark, Common Rosefinch, Red-backed Shrike and Great Grey Shrike all on Mainland, and totals of two Bluethroat, four each of both Rustic Bunting and Red-breasted Flycatcher, six Lapland and seven Little Buntings.

On the Isles of Scilly the Isabelline Wheatear was relocated on St Mary's where American Golden Plover and Pectoral Sandpiper remain, whilst on St Agnes Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo and Wryneck lingered and on Tresco three Bee-eaters and a Wryneck were seen.

Rarities elsewhere comprised the Roller still in Highland, Stilt Sandpiper and Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset, Pallid Harrier in Cheshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Devon, Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Cork, single Long-billed Dowitchers in Kent, Lincolnshire and County Wexford, and in Kent an Alpine Swift flew over Kingsdown.

The best of the rest included American Golden Plover and three Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Cornwall, Spotted Crake in London, single Red-breasted Flycatchers in both East Yorkshire and Essex, and the confiding Long-tailed Skua still in Northumberland.
-  Chris Batty, RBA