Wednesday 5th July 2023
	Rarities today comprised the Pacific Swift still on the Shetland Isles, the American Black Tern still in Northumberland, both Long-billed Dowitcher and Lesser Scaup in Norfolk, Wilson's Petrel in Cornwall, Bee-eaters in Norfolk (3) and the Isles of Scilly (12), and Black-winged Stilts in Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire (9), and South Yorkshire (2). Scarcities included Purple Heron (Northumberland), Red-backed Shrike (Orkney Isles), Red-necked Phalarope (Lincolnshire), Temminck's Stint (East Yorkshire), Ring-necked Duck (Suffolk), two each of Marsh Warbler, Night Heron, and Glossy Ibis, and four Cory's Shearwaters. Disappointingly the report of a Spanish Sparrow in Ceredigion on 13th June has proved to be a hoax.
-  Chris Batty, RBA