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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Tuesday 22nd October 2019  
  The highlight of the day was the revelation that a kestrel photographed in East Yorkshire at Fraisthorpe was actually a juvenile Lesser Kestrel.

On the Isles of Scilly an Isabelline Wheatear was new on Tresco with Red-breasted Flycatcher and Waxwing there, a Red-flanked Bluetail arrived on St Agnes with Red-throated Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, Lapland Bunting and Waxwing on that island, and on St Mary's Blue Rock Thrush, Red-throated Pipit, Citrine Wagtail and Spotted Crake were all present. At sea off the Western Rocks were Red-necked Phalarope, eleven Grey Phalaropes and three Sabine's Gulls.

Rarities elsewhere comprised the Short-billed Dowitcher still in County Louth, Pacific Diver and Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, a Baird's Sandpiper new on Islay, Argyll, a Subalpine Warbler found in Lincolnshire at Gibraltar Point, a Red-flanked Bluetail still in Norfolk, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll still on the Shetland Isles, American Black Tern in Dorset, Hooded Merganser in London and White-rumped Sandpipers in Ayrshire (2), County Cork, County Derry (7) and the Western Isles (9).
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 21st October 2019  
  New discoveries today included single Red-flanked Bluetails at East Hills, Norfolk and Burn of Sound, Shetland, a Citrine Wagtail at Salakee, Scilly, a White-billed Diver off Flamborough and Burniston, Yorkshire and a Cackling Goose at Loch Indaal, Argyll. New White-rumped Sandpipers included five at Myroe Levels, County Derry (making seven in total on site), two at Annagh Beach and one at Leam Lough, County Mayo and one at Lissagriffin, County Cork.

Lingering rarities included the Blue Rock Thrush and Spotted Sandpiper in Scilly, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Red-eyed Vireo, Pacific Diver, Lesser Yellowlegs and a White-rumped Sandpiper in County Cork, other White-rumped Sandpipers in Western Isles (11), Ayrshire (two), County Wexford and Aberdeenshire, Short-billed Dowitcher in County Louth, single Long-billed Dowitchers in Argyll and Devon, Hooded Merganser in London, two Richardson's Cackling Geese in Western Isles and American Black Tern in Dorset.

Scarcity highlights included a Pallas's Warbler, a Barred Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a Common Rosefinch, a Red-backed Shrike, a Great Grey Shrike, two Little Buntings, two Wrynecks, three Rose-coloured Starlings, three Shorelarks, four Richard's Pipits, five Lapland Buntings, 35 Waxwings, two Spotted Crakes, a Pectoral Sandpiper, two American Golden Plovers, five Grey Phalaropes, a Glossy Ibis, a Ring-necked Duck, two Green-winged Teals, two American Wigeon, two Todd's Canada Geese, two Snow Geese, two Glaucous Gulls, a Leach's Petrel, five Sabine's Gulls, ten Long-tailed Skuas, 44 Pomarine Skuas and 181 Little Auks.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Sunday 20th October 2019  
  The highlight of the day was a Chestnut-eared Bunting on the Isles of Scilly on St Mary's albeit present only briefly in the early morning; just the third British record of this Asian species. Otherwise on St Mary's the Blue Rock Thrush remained with Little Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Richard's Pipit, Spotted Crake and Waxwing all logged, Spotted Sandpiper, Subalpine Warbler and Red-backed Shrike on St Agnes, Red-breasted Flycatcher on Tresco and Common Rosefinch on Bryher. On the Shetland Isles a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Richard's Pipit were on Fair Isle, and Richard's Pipit, Red-backed Shrike and six Waxwings were all on Mainland.

Rarities elsewhere comprised both Myrtle Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo still together in County Galway, Red-eyed Vireo in East Yorkshire, Radde's Warbler and Blyth's Reed Warbler in Cornwall, Pacific Diver and Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, American Black Tern still in Dorset, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Waterford and White-rumped Sandpipers in Ayrshire (2), County Cork, Cornwall, Western Isles (8) and County Wexford.

Significant late news concerned confirmation of an Isabelline Wheatear on Lundy, Devon on Friday; the sixth to be located in Britain since 10th September.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 19th October 2019  
  The highlight of the day was the relocation of the Common Nighthawk - that was present until Thursday at Galgorm, County Antrim - 345 miles to the southeast at Bushy Park, London where it was photographed in flight this afternoon. Meanwhile, the dowitcher present in County Louth at Dundalk since 13th October remained today was reidentifed as a Short-billed Dowitcher.

In County Cork Pacific Diver, Red-eyed Vireo and Lesser Yellowlegs all remained, the Red-eyed Vireo continued in East Yorkshire, American Black Tern in Dorset, Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Wexford, Lesser Scaup in Leicestershire, Hooded Merganser in London, Richardson's Cackling Goose on the Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitchers in both Derbyshire and West Yorkshire, and White-rumped Sandpipers in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire (2), County Londonderry, Western Isles (13) and County Wexford.

On the Isles of Scilly on St Mary's Blue Rock Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Wryneck and Spotted Crake were all logged, on St Agnes Spotted Sandpiper, Subalpine Warbler and Common Rosefinch, and on Bryher a Little Bunting. On the Shetland Isles an Olive-backed Pipit arrived on Unst and on the Mainland a Lesser Grey Shrike at Pund, Western Subalpine Warbler at Hillwell, a Red-backed Shrike and two Waxwings.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 18th October 2019  
  Bird of the day was a Bobolink, found at Theddlethorpe NNR in Lincolnshire mid afternoon, where it remained on show into the evening. Intriguingly, a Bobolink reportedly flew over Sammy's Point, Easington (East Yorkshire) on Tuesday, 20 miles to the north-northwest of Theddlethorpe, as the Bobolink flies.

Elsewhere new discoveries included Kentish Plover in Cleveland, Pallid Swift in East Yorkshire, Long-billed Dowitcher (Derbyshire), White-rumped Sandpipers in Aberdeenshire (2) and Co Wexford, Radde's Warbler in Co Galway, Blyth's Reed Warbler in Fife and Red-rumped Swallow in Norfolk.

Shetland hosted Lesser Grey Shrike, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and Subalpine Warbler species, whilst Fair Isle continued to hold the Radde's or Yellow-streaked Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit.

Scilly produced a new Spotted Sandpiper, as well as lingering Blue Rock Thrush, Blue-winged Teal and Subalpine Warbler species.

The best of the lingering rarities elsewhere included Myrtle Warbler (Co Galway), Red-eyed Vireo (East Yorkshire), Subalpine Warbler species (Cornwall), Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll (Orkney), American Black Tern (Dorset), Lesser Scaup (Leicestershire), White-rumped Sandpipers (Ayrshire [2], Western Isles [2] and Co Kerry), Lesser Yelllowlegs (Co Cork) and Long-billed Dowitchers (Co Louth, Devon and West Yorkshire).
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Thursday 17th October 2019  
  New discoveries today included a Subalpine Warbler species in Cot Valley, Cornwall, a Radde's Warbler on Fair Isle, Shetland, an Eastern Stonechat species at Leebitten, Shetland, a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Rossbeigh, County Kerry and White-rumped Sandpipers at Annagh, County Mayo, Ballylongford, County Kerry (two) and Ballycotton, County Cork, with two present for their third day at Fail, Ayrs. A Red-eyed Vireo at Spurn Point, Yorkshire was thought likely to be the same individual as the recent Easington bird.

Lingering rarities included the Common Nighthawk in County Antrim, Myrtle Warbler in County Galway, Blue Rock Thrush, Subalpine Warbler species and Blue-winged Teal in Scilly, Pechora Pipit and Subalpine Warbler species in Shetland, Eastern Stonechat species in Orkney, American Black Tern in Dorset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Yorkshire and County Louth, White-rumped Sandpipers in Scilly, Aberdeenshire, Western Isles and County Galway, Hooded Merganser in London and Lesser Scaup in Leicestershire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Wednesday 16th October 2019  
  On the Shetland Isles the Siberian Rubythroat showed briefly on Fetlar with Barred Warbler and Waxwing also there, on Fair Isle Pechora, Richard's and two Olive-backed Pipits and two Shorelarks, on Unst a Waxwing, and around Mainland an Eastern Stonechat, Blyth's Reed Warbler and Spotted Crake. On the Isles of Scilly the Rose-breasted Grosbeak remained on St Martin's, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Dotterel were on Tresco, Common Rosefinch on Gugh, and on St Mary's Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-throated Pipit, Blue-winged Teal, White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-toed Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck and two Spotted Crakes.

Nearctic rarities elsewhere included the Common Nighthawk still in Count Antrim, Myrtle Warblers in both County Galway and the Western Isles, Red-eyed Vireos in County Cork, County Galway and East Yorkshire, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll on the Orkney Isles, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Long-billed Dowitcher and Richardson's Cackling Goose on the Western Isles, American Black Tern still in Dorset, Hooded Merganser still in London, and White-rumped Sandpipers in Aberdeenshire, County Cork (2), Cornwall, Dorset, County Kerry (3) and the Western Isles (5).

Rarities from Eurasia included an Olive-backed Pipit in Cornwall at Nanjizal, Red-flanked Bluetail still in North Yorkshire, Eastern Stonechat on the Orkney Isles and Ferruginous Duck in Powys.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 15th October 2019  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of a male Siberian Rubythroat on Fetlar with other birds on the Shetland Isles including on Fair Isle Lanceolated, Pallas's and Marsh Warbler, Pechora Pipit and Red-flanked Bluetail, on Whalsay a Red-breasted Flycatcher, and around Mainland Northern Brown Shrike, Eastern Stonechat, Subalpine Warbler, Little Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Barred Warbler and three Olive-backed Pipits. On the Isles of Scilly the Rose-breasted Grosbeak remained on St Martin's, Subalpine Warbler and Wryneck were on St Agnes, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Dotterel on Tresco, and on St Mary's Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Teal, White-rumped Sandpiper, Short-toed Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike and Spotted Crake.

Elsewhere, Nearctic birds included Myrtle Warbler and a Laughing Gull were discovered on North Uist, Western Isles whilst the Myrtle Warbler remained in County Galway, as did the Common Nighthawk in County Antrim, Red-eyed Vireos in County Cork, County Galway and East Yorkshire, American Black Tern in Dorset, Lesser Scaup in Leicestershire, Long-billed Dowitchers in Argyll, County Louth, Devon and West Yorkshire, White-rumped Sandpipers in Cornwall, County Kerry, Dorset, Leicestershire and the Western Isles (7), and in London the Hooded Merganser reappeared.

Meanwhile rarities from Eurasia included in East Yorkshire an Arctic Warbler at Kilnsea, Radde's Warbler at Flamborough Head and Red-flanked Bluetail at Filey, a brief Bonelli's Warbler in Dumfries and Galloway at Auchie Glen, a brief Red-throated Pipit in Surrey at Hascombe, a Ferruginous Duck in Powys at Llynheilyn, and on the Orkney Isles the Eastern Stonechat remained and a dead Brown Shrike was discovered on North Ronaldsay.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 14th October 2019  
 

Mainland Shetland scored a Black-throated Thrush at Scousburgh and a Brown Shrike at Grutness. Booted Warblers were found at Langdon Cliffs in Kent and on The Lizard in Cornwall. Two Red-flanked Bluetails arrived on Fair Isle, along with a Dusky Warbler. An Eastern Stonechat sp was on Burray in Orkney.

Lingering rarities were the Common Nighthawk in Co.Antrim; Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Blue Rock Thrush in Scilly; American Black Tern in Dorset, Red-throated Pipit on Fair Isle, Eastern Stonechat sp in Shetland, Coues's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Lesser Scaup in Leicestershire, Blue-winged Teal in Clyde and Scilly, Lesser Yellowlegs in Co.Cork, Long-billed Dowitchers in Devon and Co.Louth. There was a report of the Great Snipe again in East Yorkshire flushed at Spurn but it could not be found in the evening. White-rumped Sandpipers continued in Dorset, Scilly, and Co.Galway, while in Western Isles South Uist's count increased to three and another arrived on the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire.

Other goodies included White-winged Black Tern (Co.Louth), Pallas's Warbler (Fair Isle), Melodious Warbler (Co.Cork), 11 Red-breasted Flycatchers, eight Barred Warblers, three Wrynecks, Great Grey Shrike (Northumberland), Short-toed Lark (Scilly), two Richard's Pipits, two Shorelarks, five Little Buntings, two Common Rosefinches, two Waxwings, three American Golden Plovers, two Spotted Crakes (Scilly and Shetland), Ring-billed Gull (Co.Galway), American Wigeon (Co.Durham), two Black Brants (Lincolnshire and Dorset), Todd's Canada Goose (Argyll), three Snow Geese, six Taiga Bean Geese (Forth), Tundra Bean Goose (Kent), Glossy Ibis (Devon), four Grey Phalaropes, Corncrake (Northumberland), Little Auk (Yorkshire), Iceland Gull (Western Isles) and Glaucous Gull (Shetland).
-  David Campbell, RBA
Sunday 13th October 2019  
  For a couple of hours or so a Two-barred Greenish Warbler was on offer at Orford Quay in Suffolk, though it went missing soon after midday. Scilly hosted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on St.Martin's. In Cornwall, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was near Bude at Crackington Haven for its second day. A showy Great Snipe performed on Beacon Lane in Kilnsea in East Yorkshire for the entire evening. Other finds included Brown Shrike, Red-throated Pipit and Eastern Stonechat sp on Fair Isle, Red-eyed Vireo on Lundy in Devon, Dusky Warbler in Cornwall, Subalpine Warbler sp in Scilly, Long-billed Dowitchers at Bannow Bay in Co.Wexford and Dundalk Docks in Co.Louth, and White-rumped Sandpipers at Lodmoor RSPB in Dorset, North Uist in Western Isles (two), Myroe in Co.Derry, Ferriter's Cove in Co.Kerry, Inishmore in Co.Galway and Leam Lough in Co.Mayo.

Rarities extending their stays were the Common Nighthawk in Co.Antrim, Myrtle Warbler in Co.Galway, Blue Rock Thrush in Scilly, Isabelline Wheatear in Shetland, American Black Tern in Dorset, Eastern Stonechat sp in Shetland; Red-eyed Vireos in East Yorkshire, Scilly (two), Cornwall and Co.Cork; Kentish Plover in Merseyside, Blue-winged Teal in Co.Wexford and Scilly, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Orkney, Lesser Scaup in Leicestershire, two Richardson's Cackling Geese in Western Isles, Snowy Owl in Shetland, Lesser Yellowlegs in Co.Cork, Long-billed Dowitcher in West Yorkshire, and White-rumped Sandpiper in Scilly.

The supporting cast included White-winged Black Tern (Dorset), five Red-breasted Flycatchers, three Richard's Pipits, eight Barred Warblers, two Short-toed Larks (Scilly), four Shorelarks, two Red-backed Shrikes , two Great Grey Shrikes,  two Little Buntings (Scilly), Melodious Warbler (Co.Cork), Rose-coloured Starling (Western Isles), two Wrynecks, four Waxwings (Shetland), five American Golden Plovers, Dotterel (Devon), Spotted Crake (Scilly), Rough-legged Buzzard (Cambridgeshire), two Lesser Snow Geese (Argyll), two Tundra Bean Geese (Kent), three Surf Scoters, three American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal (Orkney), Ring-necked Duck (Western Isles), Ring-billed Gull in Co.Galway, two Glossy Ibises, Long-tailed Skua (Cornwall), Leach's Petrel (Kent), three Little Auks, two Iceland Gulls (Highland), two Glaucous Gulls and six Grey Phalaropes.
-  David Campbell, RBA