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
Wednesday 4th October 2023  
 

Nearctic landbirds today comprised a new Black-and-white Warbler in Cornwall at Nanjizal, the Cape May Warbler still in County Mayo on Achill Island, and on the Isles of Scilly still a Bobolink on St Mary's and a Red-eyed Vireo on St Agnes.

Discoveries elsewhere included on the Shetland Isles a White's Thrush on Bressay, an Arctic Warbler on Unst, a Rustic Bunting at Hoswick, Mainland, with a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Ronas Voe, on the Western Isles a Red-throated Pipit on Barra, and a White-rumped Sandpiper on Sanday, Orkney Isles.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Stonechat species, Pallid Harrier, another Rustic Bunting, and two Olive-backed Pipits on the Shetland Isles, Northern Harriers in both Cornwall and County Mayo, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Black Stork, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs in Lincolnshire, Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Blue-winged Teal in East Yorkshire, further Long-billed Dowitchers in County Wicklow and Orkney, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Louth, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Pallid Harriers in Essex, Kent, and Orkney.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 3rd October 2023  
 

Nearctic landbirds today comprised a Mourning Dove new in County Galway on Inishmore, the Cape May Warbler still in County Mayo on Achill Island, both Yellow Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo still in Argyll on Tiree, Veery still on Shetland at Lunna, Mainland, two Bobolinks still together on the Isles of Scilly on St Mary's, and a Red-eyed Vireo still off the Isle of Man on the Calf of Man.

Other discoveries included on Shetland Mainland a Great Snipe at North Roe, a Rustic Bunting at Bigton, and a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Housetter, a Greenish Warbler in East Yorkshire at Patrington, Long-billed Dowitcher in County Waterford at The Cunnigar, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Louth at Dundalk, and Pallid Harriers in Fife at St Andrews and Kent at Dungeness.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were River Warbler, Turkestan Shrike, Snowy Owl, Pallid Harrier, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Stonechat species, and two Olive-backed Pipits all on Shetland, Northern Harrier and Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Northern Harrier, Black Duck, and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo, Stilt Sandpiper on the Western Isles, Double-crested Cormorant in County Leitrim, Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Wilson's Phalarope in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper together in Lincolnshire, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, Pallid Harrier on the Orkney Isles, Long-billed Dowitchers in County Cork and Orkney, Lesser Yellowlegs in Western Isles, and Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 2nd October 2023  
  Another Red-eyed Vireo was discovered in Yorkshire today, this time at Spurn, with the other still lingering at Bempton Cliffs. Another new bird was on St Agnes, Scilly.

In Shetland, new birds included a Snowy Owl at Ronas Hill, an Eastern Stonechat species at Lunna, an Olive-backed Pipit at Voxter and a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Isleburgh, the Eastern Subalpine Warbler was confirmed at Wester Quarff, and other lingering rarities in the archipelago included the Veery, Turkestan Shrike, River Warbler, Lanceolated Warbler and Pallid Harrier.

A Semipalmated Sandpiper was found at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire, joining the lingering Lesser Yellowlegs and White-rumped Sandpiper on site, along with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and the Black Stork. Other new rarities included a White-rumped Sandpiper in Norfolk and a Lesser Scaup in Perth and Kinross.

Other lingering rarities still present included the Cape May Warbler, Black Duck and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo, Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo and Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Red-eyed Vireo in County Wexford, Northern Harrier and Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Long-billed Dowitcher and Pallid Harrier in Orkney, Lesser Yellowlegs in Western Isles, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, Iberian Chiffchaff in County Cork, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Blue-winged Teal in Yorkshire, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire and Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Sunday 1st October 2023  
 

North American landbirds continue to dominate with the Philadelphia Vireo showing again alongside a Red-eyed Vireo on the Western Isles on Barra, the Cape May Warbler still in County Mayo on Achill Island, Yellow Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo both still in Argyll on Tiree, Black-and-white Warbler still in Gwynedd on Bardsey, Veery still on the Shetland Isles on Mainland at Lunna, two Bobolinks still together on the Isles of Scilly on St Mary's with a Red-eyed Vireo on nearby St Agnes, and further Red-eyed Vireos in East Yorkshire at Bempton Cliffs and off the Isle of Man on the Calf of Man.

Discoveries elsewhere included on Shetland a River Warbler at Brae, a Rustic Bunting at Cunningsburgh, and a Subalpine Warbler species at Wester Quarff, a Stilt Sandpiper on the Western Isles on North Uist, a Baird's Sandpiper briefly in Northumberland at Goswick, Red-throated Pipit on Anglesey at South Stack, Pallid Harrier on the Orkney Isles on Sanday, and Ferruginous Ducks both in Bedfordshire at Shefford and Norfolk at Feltwell.

Lingering rarirties confirmed as still present were the Northern Harrier and Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Northern Harrier, Black Duck, and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull all in County Mayo, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Pallid Harrier, Olive-backed Pipit, Citrine Wagtail, and Greenish Warbler all on Shetland, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Black Stork, Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper all together in Lincolnshire , Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Pallid Harrier in Essex, two Blue-winged Teals together in East Yorkshire, Iberian Chiffchaff and Long-billed Dowitcher in County Cork, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, and Lesser Yellowlegs on the Western Isles.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 30th September 2023  
  A Yellow Warbler was found on Tiree, Argyll this morning, two Bobolinks were together on St Mary's, Scilly and a Red-eyed Vireo was at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire. Lingering Nearctic passerines included the Cape May Warbler in County Mayo, Black-and-white Warbler in Gwynedd, Veery in Shetland and Red-eyed Vireos in Western Isles, Argyll, Isle of Man and Scilly.

Other new discoveries included a Red-breasted Goose at Nairn in Highland and a White-billed Diver at Cley in Norfolk, whilst other lingerers included the Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail in Shetland, Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Iberian Chiffchaff in County Cork, single Northern Harriers in Cornwall and County Mayo, Brown Booby in Borders, Wilson's Phalarope in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Baird's Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs in Western Isles, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, Long-billed Dowitchers in County Cork, County Wicklow, Orkney and Norfolk, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-rumped Sandpiper and Black Stork in Lincolnshire, Pallid Harriers in Shetland and Essex, Forster's Tern in Dorset, two Blue-winged Teals in Yorkshire, King Eider in Lothian, Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 29th September 2023  
  The first Cape May Warbler for Ireland was discovered on Achill Island, County Mayo this morning, with a new Baltimore Oriole on Dursey Island, County Cork (along with a lingering Red-eyed Vireo), and a further Red-eyed Vireo at Hook Head, County Wexford.

The first Catharus thrush of the year was found in Shetland, a Veery at Lunna on Mainland, with the sixth Tennessee Warbler of the year nearby on Fetlar. From the east, a Lanceolated Warbler was on Fair Isle (along with the lingering Turkestan Shrike) and an Arctic Warbler was on Yell, with the Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail remaining elsewhere on the archipelago.

In Scilly, a Bobolink was seen very briefly on St Mary's, with the Red-eyed Vireo remaining on St Agnes. Nearby, in Devon, a Cliff Swallow was on Lundy, and a Brown Booby was seen offshore south of Berry Head.

Other new discoveries included a Barolo Shearwater off Pendeen, Cornwall, a Red-flanked Bluetail near Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, a Long-billed Dowitcher at Buckroney, County Wicklow, a Baird's Sandpiper at Ardivachar, Western Isles and a Red-footed Falcon over Durham, County Durham.

Lingering rarities still present included the Magnolia Warbler in Glamorgan, Black-and-white Warbler in Gwynedd, Alder Flycatcher in Pembrokeshire, Red-eyed Vireo in Western Isles, Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Iberian Chiffchaff and Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Long-billed Dowitcher in Orkney, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Western Isles, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, White-rumped Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and Black Stork in Lincolnshire, single Northern Harriers in Cornwall and County Mayo, Pallid Harrier in Essex, Red-footed Falcon and Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Bonaparte's Gull in County Down, two Blue-winged Teals in Yorkshire and Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 28th September 2023  
  New discoveries today included single Red-eyed Vireos on St Agnes, Scilly and Dursey Island, County Cork, an Olive-backed Pipit on Foula and a Radde's Warbler on Fair Isle, both Shetland, a Wilson's Phalarope at Wells, Norfolk and single Lesser Yellowlegs' at Drinagh, County Wexford and Buckroney, County Waterford.

Lingering rarities included the Magnolia Warbler in Glamorgan, Alder Flycatcher in Pembrokeshire, Red-eyed Vireos in Argyll and Isle of Man, Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Turkestan Shrike, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Rustic Bunting and Blyth's Reed Warbler in Shetland, Brown Booby in Lothian, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Double-crested Cormorant in County Leitrim, Pallid Harriers in Essex and Shetland, Red-breasted Goose and Red-footed Falcon in Northumberland, Black Stork, Lesser Yellowlegs and White-rumped Sandpiper in Lincolnshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Western Isles, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll and Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Wednesday 27th September 2023  
 

The highlight of the day was the discovery of the third Black-and-white Warbler in seven days on Bardsey, Gwynedd whilst Nearctic landbirds elsewhere comprised the Magnolia Warbler still in Glamorgan at Baglan, on the Western Isles both Tennessee Warbler and two Red-eyed Vireos still on Barra.

Discoveries elsewhere included a Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland at Budle Bay, a Rustic Bunting on the Shetland Isles on Mainland at Wester Quarff, and an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Kerry at Blennerville.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were both the elusive Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and a Blue-winged Teal in East Yorkshire, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in North Yorkshire, Turkestan Shrike, Pallid Harrier, Arctic Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and two Blyth's Reed Warblers on Shetland, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Spotted Sandpiper in Fife, Semipalmated Sandpiper on the Western Isles, Black Stork, Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper together in Lincolnshire, Pallid Harrier in Essex, Red-footed Falcon in Northumberland, Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire, and Long-billed Dowitchers in both Norfolk and the Orkney Isles.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 26th September 2023  
 

Nearctic landbirds continue to dominate with a Blackburnian Warbler new on the Shetland Isles at Geosetter, Mainland, whilst in Pembrokeshire the Bay-breasted Warbler remained on Ramsey Island as did the Magnolia Warbler at St Govan's Head, in Glamorgan the Magnolia Warbler was still at Baglan, on the Western Isles the Tennessee Warbler and six Red-eyed Vireos on Barra, on the Isles of Scilly the Northern Parula still on St Martin's, in County Antrim the Baltimore Oriole remained on Rathlin Island, in County Waterford a Cliff Swallow was new at Dungarvan, and Red-eyed Vireos were in Argyll on Tiree, off the Isle of Man on Calf of Man, and in Devon on Lundy.

Other discoveries included a Brown Booby passing Bridges of Ross, County Clare, an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in North Yorkshire at Long Nab, a Black-browed Albatross at sea off south Devon, an Isabelline Wheatear in Suffolk at Southwold, a Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall at Pensilva, an Eastern Yellow Wagtail on the Shetland Isles on Unst, and on the Western Isles a Semipalmated Sandpiper on South Uist and a Lesser Yellowlegs on Lewis.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in East Yorkshire, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Pallid Harrier, Arctic Warbler, Citrine Wagtail, and Blyth's Reed Warbler all on the Shetland Isles, Forster's Tern in Dorset, two American Buff-bellied Pipits together on the Western Isles, Black Stork, Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper all together in Lincolnshire, Iberian Chiffchaff, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Spotted Sandpipers in County Dublin and Fife, Pallid Harrier in Essex, Red-footed Falcon in Northumberland, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, King Eider in Lothian, and Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 25th September 2023  
 

The fall-out of Nearctic landbirds continued today with 20 individuals of 10 species recorded. The highlight was the reappearance of the Canada Warbler in Pembrokeshire at St Govan's Head where a Magnolia Warbler remained with the Bay-breasted Warbler still on Ramsey Island, and elsewhere in South Wales the other Magnolia Warbler still at Baglan, Glamorgan. On the Isles of Scilly a Bobolink was new on St Agnes, the Northern Parula showed again on St Martin's with a Red-eyed Vireo, and a further Red-eyed Vireo on Bryher. Elsewhere, the Tennessee Warbler and Baltimore Oriole were both still in County Galway on Inishbofin, and on the Western Isles Tennessee Warbler and five Red-eyed Vireos on Barra, with other Red-eyed Vireos on Eriskay and South Uist, in County Cork a Cliff Swallow still at Lough Clubir, and on the Isle of Man a Red-eyed Vireo on Calf of Man.

Other exciting discoveries concerned a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in East Yorkshire at Blacktoft Sands, a Yellow-breasted Bunting in Devon on Lundy, and a White-billed Diver passing the Farne Islands, Northumberland.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Pallid Harrier, Citrine Wagtail, Arctic Warbler, and Blyth's Reed Warbler all on the Shetland Isles, Paddyfield Warbler in County Waterford, Black Stork, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-rumped Sandpiper all together in Lincolnshire, Baird's Sandpiper in Argyll, Spotted Sandpiper in County Dublin, Iberian Chiffchaff in County Cork, Red-footed Falcon in Northumberland, Lesser Yellowlegs in Pembrokeshire, King Eider in Lothian, Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire, and further Pallid Harriers in both Essex and Norfolk.

The Brown Booby finally departed South Gare, Cleveland and was noted passing north at South Shields, County Durham, before traversing the coasts of Northumberland, Borders, and Lothian.
-  Chris Batty, RBA