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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Wednesday 17th May 2023  
 

Rarities today comprised the Forster's Tern still in Dorset, both Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler on the Shetland Isles, Squacco Heron in East Sussex, Pallid Harrier in Shropshire, Great Reed Warbler in Norfolk, Lesser Scaup in Lincolnshire, Iberian Chiffchaffs singing in Gloucestershire and East Sussex, and nine Black-winged Stilts: in Kent (6), London (2), and Oxfordshire. Brief encounters included a Caspian Tern in Norfolk, Kentish Plover in Lincolnshire, and a Black Kite in Dorset.

Scarcities included American Golden Plover (Lincolnshire), White-spotted Bluethroat (Gloucestershire), Serin (Cornwall), Red-backed Shrike (East Yorkshire), Hoopoe (Dorset), Pectoral Sandpiper (Cheshire), Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire), Black Brant (Norfolk), two each of Purple Heron, American Wigeon, Long-tailed Skua, and Grey-headed Wagtail, five of both Night Heron and Glossy Ibis, seven migrant Dotterel, and a total of 14 Temminck's Stints.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 16th May 2023  
 

Discoveries today included a Black-browed Albatross in County Kerry at Skellig Michael, a Lesser Yellowlegs in County Donegal at Inch Island, a Lesser Scaup in Lincolnshire at Saltfleetby, and in Norfolk a Black-winged Stilt at Welney.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Forster's Tern in Dorset, Squacco Heron in East Sussex, Eastern Subalpine Warbler on the Shetland Isles, Pallid Harrier in Shropshire, Great Reed Warblers in both Norfolk and Somerset, Iberian Chiffchaffs in Gloucestershire and East Sussex, Red-footed Falcon in Kent, and Black-winged Stilt in Oxfordshire.

Scarcities included Woodchat Shrike (Dorset), Golden Oriole (Surrey), American Wigeon (Argyll), Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire), Hoopoe and Shorelark (Shetland), two each of Night Heron, Montagu's Harrier, Pectoral Sandpiper and Grey-headed Wagtail, three of Red-backed Shrike and Purple Heron, seven migrant Dotterel, 16 Glossy Ibises, 18 Temminck's Stints, and a total of 33 Long-tailed Skuas.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 15th May 2023  
 

The highlights of the day were the discoveries of a Citrine Wagtail in Highland at Balnakeil, and single Black-winged Stilts in Lancashire at Martin Mere and Oxfordshire at Otmoor.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Squacco Heron in East Sussex, both Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler on the Shetland Isles, Pallid Harrier in Shropshire, Great Reed Warblers singing in Norfolk and Somerset, Iberian Chiffchaffs in Gloucestershire and East Sussex, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Red-footed Falcon in Kent, Black-winged Stilt in Greater Manchester, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, and two Ferruginous Ducks together in Norfolk.

Scarcities included White-spotted Bluethroat (Gloucestershire), American Wigeon (Argyll), Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire), two each of Montagu's Harrier, Purple Heron, Hoopoe, Glossy Ibis and Grey-headed Wagtail, three of Night Heron, Red-backed Shrike, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Long-tailed Skua, seven migrant Dotterel, and eight Temminck's Stints.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 14th May 2023  
 

Discoveries today included a Squacco Heron in East Sussex at Combe Valley, Great Reed Warblers in Norfolk at both Cantley Marshes and Pensthorpe, Subalpine Warbler species in Devon at Prawle Point, Bee-eater in Suffolk at Southwold, and Lesser Scaups in Dumfries and Galloway at Castle Loch and Highland at St John's Loch.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the White-winged Scoter in Fife, Laughing Gull on the Isles of Scilly, Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler on the Shetland Isles, Blue-winged Teal in Lincolnshire, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, Long-billed Dowitcher and two Ferruginous Ducks in Norfolk, Red-footed Falcon in Kent, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, and White-billed Divers both the Orkney Isles and Western Isles, but in Moray there was no sign of the Grey-headed Lapwing.

Scarcities included White-spotted Bluethroat (Gloucestershire), Ortolan Bunting and Common Rosefinch (East Yorkshire), Ring-billed Gull (Perth and Kinross), Sabine's Gull (Shetland Isles), Surf Scoter (Fife), two Purple Herons, three of both Montagu's Harrier and Pectoral Sandpiper, four of Red-backed Shrike, Hoopoe, and migrant Dotterel, five Night Herons, 13 Long-tailed Skuas, 14 Temminck's Stints, and at least 17 Glossy Ibises.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 13th May 2023  
  The Grey-headed Lapwing reappeared today, 165 miles to the NNW of Low Newton at Lossiemouth, Moray, where it remained until dusk.

An Eastern Subalpine Warbler was found at Loch of Clickimin, Shetland, with the Western Subalpine Warbler remaining nearby at Quendale, and a Blyth's Reed Warbler and a Pallid Harrier were both in Orkney, on Westray and Papa Westray respectively.

Other lingering rarities seen today included the Stejneger's Scoter and two White-winged Scoters in Fife, Blue-winged Teal in Lincolnshire, Black Duck in County Mayo, King Eider in Aberdeenshire, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Black-winged Stilts in Somerset and County Wexford, Pallid Harrier in Shropshire, Laughing Gull in Scilly, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, White-billed Diver in Orkney, Red-footed Falcon in Kent, Iberian Chiffchaff in Sussex and Great Reed Warbler in Somerset.

Scarcity highlights included a Red-backed Shrike, a Wryneck, a Serin, a Shorelark, a Grey-headed Wagtail, three Hoopoes, two Dotterel, six Temminck's Stints, two Montagu's Harriers, four Purple Herons, 23 Glossy Ibises (including 20 over Skomer, Pembrokeshire), two Surf Scoters, three Ring-necked Ducks, a Ring-billed Gull, an Iceland Gull and three Glaucous Gulls.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 12th May 2023  
 

New discoveries today consisted of a Moltoni's Warbler at Isle of Portland in Dorset, late news of a Slate-coloured Junco on Saturday at Kelling in Norfolk, Alpine Swift at Beadnell in Northumberland, White-billed Diver at Sandwick in Shetland, Western Subalpine Warbler at Quendale in Shetland, and Great Reed Warbler at Newport Wetlands NNR in Gwent.

Lingering rarities today comprised the Stejneger's Scoter in Fife, Blue-winged Teal in Lincolnshire, Laughing Gull on Scilly, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, two Black-winged Stilts in Somerset and County Wexford respectively, Pallid Harrier in Suffolk, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, White-billed Diver in Shetland, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk.

Scarcities included a Night Heron, five Hoopoe, two Montagu's Harriers, two Dotterel, seven Temminck's Stints, four Honey Buzzards, three Glaucous Gulls, 18 Glossy Ibises, five Pom Skuas, Roseate Tern, two Red-backed Shrikes, American Golden Plover, two Bluethroats, Pectoral Sandpiper, Golden Orioles, Yellow-billed Kite, American Wigeon, and two Ring-necked Ducks.
-  Ben Clark, RBA
Thursday 11th May 2023  
 

Rarities discovered today included Great Reed Warblers in Norfolk at Titchwell and Suffolk at Boyton Marshes and on the Shetland Isles a Red-rumped Swallow on Mainland at Pool of Virkie and a White-billed Diver on Yell. Otherwise brief encounters were a Gyr in Highland at Cove, a Caspian Tern in Carmarthenshire at Burry Port, a Pallid Harrier in Suffolk at Orford Ness, and a Bee-eater in Devon at Bull Point.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Stejneger's Scoter in Fife, Slate-coloured Junco in Aberdeenshire, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Laughing Gull in Isles of Scilly, Blue-winged Teal in Lincolnshire, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher and Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, White-billed Diver on the Orkney Isles, and Black-winged Stilts in Lincolnshire (3) and County Wexford.

Scarcities inclded American Golden Plover (Anglesey), Red-backed Shrike and Long-tailed Skua (Shetland), Montagu's Harrier (County Antrim), American Wigeon (Fife), Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire), two each of Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dotterel, and Glossy Ibis, five Purple Herons, and a total of six Temminck's Stints.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 10th May 2023  
 

Discoveries today included a Baikal Teal in Aberdeenshire at Macduff, a Bee-eater in East Yorkshire at Spurn, and a Black-headed Wagtail reported on the Shetland Isles at Grutness, Mainland.

Elsewhere rarities comprised the Stejneger's Scoter and two White-winged Scoters still together in Fife, Slate-coloured Junco still in Aberdeenshire, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Laughing Gull on the Isles of Scilly, Pallid Harriers in Cornwall, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitchers in both Hampshire and Norfolk, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, Red-footed Falcon in Kent, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk, White-billed Diver on the Orkney Isles, and Black-winged Stilts in Highland, Lincolnshire (3), Somerset, County Wexford, and South Yorkshire.

Scarcities included Short-toed Lark (Isles of Scilly), Golden Oriole (Suffolk), Red-backed Shrike (Shetland), Wryneck (East Yorkshire), American Golden Plover (Anglesey), Ring-billed Gull (Perth and Kinross), American Wigeon and Surf Scoter (Fife), Ring-necked Duck (South Yorkshire), Dotterel (Shetland), two Montagu's Harriers, three of both Temminck's Stint and Grey-headed Wagtail, four of Purple Heron and Hoopoe, and five Night Herons.

Significant late news concerned a Pacific Swift on Monday at Ham Wall, Somerset, where it may also have been seen on Friday.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 9th May 2023  
 

Exciting news today with two North American sparrows discovered: a Song Sparrow in Gwynedd on Bardsey Island, and a Slate-coloured Junco in Aberdeenshire at Rattray Head.

Elsewhere rarities comprised the Stejneger's Scoter and White-winged Scoter still together in Fife, Forster's Tern still in Dorset, Citrine Wagtail still on the Shetland Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Hampshire, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, Red-footed Falcons in both Kent and Norfolk, Red-rumped Swallows in East Yorkshire and Highland, White-billed Divers on the Orkney Isles and the Shetland Isles, and Black-winged Stilts in Highland, Lincolnshire (3), Somerset, South Yorkshire, (2), and West Yorkshire (2).

Scarcties included American Golden Plover (Anglesey), Montagu's Harrier (County Antrim), Golden Oriole (Norfolk), Honey Buzzard (County Durham), Temminck's Stint (Orkney), Great Grey Shrike (Shropshire), Green-winged Teal (Fife), Grey-headed Wagtail (Shetland), two each of Purple Heron, Red-backed Shrike, Long-tailed Skua, Surf Scoter, and Ring-necked Duck, three Glossy Ibises, four of both Night Heron and Hoopoe, and a total of eight migrant Dotterel.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 8th May 2023  
 

Discoveries today included an Eastern Stonechat species on the Shetland Isles on Mainland at Scatness, a Pallid Harrier in Lincolnshire at Saltfleetby, a Black-headed Wagtail in Norfolk at Cley, and Red-rumped Swallows briefly in both Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

Rarities elsewhere today comprised the Grey-headed Lapwing still in Northumberland, Stejneger's Scoter and White-winged Scoter still together in Fife, Forster's Tern still in Dorset, Laughing Gull on the Isles of Scilly, Hooded Merganser in Cumbria, Iberian Chiffchaff in East Sussex, Great Reed Warbler in Somerset, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Long-billed Dowitchers in both Hampshire and Norfolk, White-billed Divers on the Orkney Isles and Western Isles, two Red-footed Falcons together in Kent, Black-winged Stilts in Highland, Lincolnshire (3), Somerset, and West Yorkshire (2).

Scarcities included Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Western Isles), Red-spotted Bluethroat (Lincolnshire), Red-backed Shrike (Northumberland), Great Grey Shrike (Shetland), Montagu's Harrier (County Antrim), Ring-billed Gull (Perth and Kinross), American Wigeon (Fife), two each of Golden Oriole, Purple Heron, Ring-necked Duck, and Glossy Ibis, three of Surf Scoter and Temminck's Stint, four of Hoopoe and Grey-headed Wagtail, and a total of 10 migrant Dotterel.
-  Chris Batty, RBA