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.

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Saturday 14th October 2017  
  A Swainson's Thrush was discovered on Cape Clear Island, County Cork, and the Western Orphean Warbler's identity was confirmed on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly.

Other new discoveries today included a Steppe Grey Shrike on Whalsay, Shetland, a Rustic Bunting at Portland Bill, Dorset, single Radde's Warblers at Dungeness, Kent and Minsmere, Suffolk, a Red-throated Pipit at Point of Ayre, Isle of Man, a White-billed Diver south along the east Norfolk and Suffolk coast and a Richardson's Cackling Goose at Lissadell, County Sligo. The adult male Northern Harrier has returned to Orkney, seen in the roost at Cottascarth, Rendall on Friday evening.

Lingering rarities included the Rock Thrush in Gwent, Isabelline Wheatear in the Isles of Scilly, Thrush Nightingale and Coues's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Arctic Warbler in Yorkshire, Red-throated Pipit in County Cork, Forster's Tern in County Louth, Stilt Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent, other Long-billed Dowitchers in Lancashire, Lincolnshire and County Wexford (two), Bonaparte's Gull in Devon, King Eider in County Donegal and Richardson's Cackling Goose in Northumberland.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 13th October 2017  
  The highlight of the day was the confirmation of the Orphean Warbler species on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, which appears most likely to be a Western Orphean Warbler. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was found at Bant's Carn, St Mary's, with the Isabelline Wheatear, Spotted Crake and American Golden Plover also remaining.

New discoveries elsewhere included an Olive-backed Pipit on Lundy, Devon, a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Ocraquoy, Shetland, a Long-billed Dowitcher at Martin Mere WWT, Lancashire, a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Clonakilty, County Cork, a King Eider at Murvagh, County Donegal and a White-billed Diver at Embo, Highland.

Lingering rarities included the Rock Thrush in Gwent, Blackpoll Warbler in County Mayo, Black-headed Bunting, Red-flanked Bluetail, Thrush Nightingale, Red-throated Pipit and Coues's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Arctic Warbler in Yorkshire, Red-throated Pipit and Spotted Sandpiper in County Cork, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Kent, Lesser Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper in Dorset, Richardson's Cackling Goose in Northumberland and Ferruginous Duck in Forth.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 12th October 2017  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Rock Thrush in inland Gwent, just west north west of the Blorenge, the site which hosted a Mamora's Warbler in 2010.

The Shetland Isles hosted a Thrush Nightingale, Red-flanked Bluetail, isabelline shrike species, two Olive-backed Pipits, four Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls, two Couse's Arctic Redpolls, Black-headed Bunting, Red-throated Pipit, Bluethroat, Ring-necked Duck, Parrot Crossbill, Richard's Pipit, two Little Buntings and three Common Rosefinches.

On Isles of Scilly the Isabelline Wheatear, Spotted Crake, Rose-coloured Starling, American Golden Plover, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Short-toed Lark were all recorded, whilst a probable orphean warbler species was reported on St Agnes and the probable Wilson's Snipe remained on St Mary's.

Elsewhere today's new discoveries included a Red-eyed Vireo in Cornwall, whilst a Dusky Warbler was reported in East Yorkshire, a White-billed Diver flew past the Northumberland coast and a Ferruginous Duck was relocated in Forth. Lingering rarities included Richardson's Cackling Goose (Northumberland), Wilson's Phalarope (Kent), Arctic Warbler (East Yorkshire), Stilt Sandpiper (Dorset), Spotted Sandpipers (Dorset and Co Cork), Long-billed Dowitchers (Kent and Co Wexford [2]), Lesser Yellowlegs (Dorset and Co Wexford) and Pallid Harrier (Cheshire).

The best of the rest included American Golden Plover (Pembrokeshire), Barred Warbler (Co Durham), Common Rosefinch (Co Cork), Shorelark (Northumberland), two each of Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck and Dotterel and three Rose-coloured Starlings.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Wednesday 11th October 2017  
  Today's new discoveries included Black-headed Bunting on Fair Isle and Blyth's Reed Warbler on Unst (Shetland). Shetland also hosted the White-crowned Sparrow, three Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls, four Coues's Arctic Redpolls, Thrush Nightingale, Red-flanked Bluetail and Blyth's Reed Warbler.

On Isles of Scilly the Isabelline Wheatear lingered on St Mary's, where a probable Wilson's Snipe was also on show, and in Ireland a Red-eyed Vireo (Co Galway) and Red-throated Pipit and Spotted Sandpiper (Co Cork) were logged. Elsewhere lingering rarities comprised Richardson's Cackling Goose (Northumberland), Wilson's Phalarope (Kent), Olive-backed Pipit and Arctic Warbler (East Yorkshire) and Spotted Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs (Dorset).

Scarcity highlights included Marsh Warbler (Shetland), Hoopoe (Cornwall), Barred Warbler (Northumberland), Spotted Crake and American Golden Plover (Isles of Scilly), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Orkney), two each of Bluethroat, Parrot Crossbill, Red-backed Shrikes, Rose-coloured Starling, Lesser Snow Goose and three Red-necked Phalaropes.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
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