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 2023  
  In Lincolnshire, a Baird's Sandpiper was at East Halton briefly, a Lesser Yellowlegs was in Cumbria at Grune Point. A Richardson's Cackling Goose was in County Sligo at Lissadell, and finally an Olive-backed Pipit in West Sussex at Cissbury Ring

Lingering rarities included the Yellow Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Eastern Stonechat species in Shetland, Black-and-white Warbler in County Galway, Lesser Grey Shrike and Red-breasted Goose in Argyll, Arctic Warbler and Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpiper in Yorkshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Pallid Harriers in Cornwall, Scilly, and Kent, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Squacco Heron in Somerset and two Blue-winged Teals still in Yorkshire.
-  Ben Clark, RBA
Friday 13th October 2023  
  In County Cork, a Cliff Swallow was at Ballycatten briefly, and an Iberian Chiffchaff was on Cape Clear. A Pallid Harrier was in Scilly, touring St Martin's, St Mary's and Tresco, with a Semipalmated Sandpiper at South Slob, County Wexford, a White-billed Diver off Sandsend, Yorkshire and an Olive-backed Pipit at Houbie, Fetlar, Shetland.

Lingering rarities included the Yellow Warbler, Turkestan Shrike, Eastern Stonechat species and Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Shetland, Black-and-white Warbler in County Galway, Lesser Grey Shrike and Red-breasted Goose in Argyll, Arctic Warbler and Red-breasted Goose in Northumberland, Arctic Warbler in Scilly, Upland Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Sandpiper in Yorkshire, Spotted Sandpiper in County Kerry, White-rumped Sandpiper in County Mayo, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Northern Harrier and Pallid Harrier in Cornwall, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Squacco Heron in Somerset and Blue-winged Teal in Yorkshire.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 12th October 2023  
 

The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Yellow Warbler on the Shetland Isles at Hoswick, Mainland, a Black-and-white Warbler in County Galway on Inishbofin, a Cliff Swallow in County Wexford on Great Saltee Island, a Pallid Harrier in Cornwall at Carn Brea, and an Arctic Warbler in Norfolk inland at Burgh Castle.

Rarities elsewhere included Upland Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher both still in County Cork, Northern Harrier still in Cornwall, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Lesser Grey Shrike in Argyll, Red-breasted Goose and Arctic Warbler in Northumberland, Pallid Harrier, two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls, and two Eastern Stonechat species on Shetland, Pallid Harrier in Kent, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs still together in Lincolnshire, Spotted Sandpiper in County Kerry, two Blue-winged Teals together in East Yorkshire, Long-billed Dowitcher and Lesser Scaup together in County Wexford, White-rumped Sandpiper and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo, and a Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk.

On the Isles of Scilly a Red-throated Pipit was found on Tresco, both Rustic Bunting and Arctic Warbler remained on St Martin's, and scarcities there were Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Ortolan Bunting, Richard's Pipit, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, two of Rose-coloured Starling, Wryneck, and Dotterel, four Yellow-browed Warblers, seven Great Shearwaters, and 160 Cory's Shearwaters.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 11th October 2023  
 

Discoveries today included Iberian Chiffchaff and Dusky Warbler together in Northumberland on Holy Island, Radde's Warbler in Dorset at Portland Bill, White-rumped Sandpiper in County Mayo at Sruhill Lough, and Lesser Yellowlegs on the Western Isles on South Uist, whilst the Black Scoter returned to Goswick, Northumberland, as did the Red-breasted Goose to Islay, Argyll.

On the Isles of Scilly Rustic Bunting and Arctic Warbler were both new on St Martin's and the Red-footed Booby showed again on Bishop Rock with highlights around the islands being Ortolan Bunting, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Lapland Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler, Sabine's Gull, Glossy Ibis, three each of both Richard's Pipit and Rose-coloured Starling, four Wrynecks, 50 Balearic, 429 Great, and 1,118 Cory's Shearwaters.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were White-crowned Sparrow, Pied Wheatear, Eastern Stonechat species, and Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll on Shetland, Upland Sandpiper in County Cork, Northern Harriers in both Cornwall and County Mayo, Double-crested Cormorant in County Leitrim, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Eastern Stonechat species on the Orkney Isles, Blue-winged Teal in East Yorkshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Baird's Sandpiper, Red-breasted Goose, Radde's Warbler and Arctic Warbler in Northumberland, Spotted Sandpiper in County Kerry, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Lincolnshire, and Pallid Harriers in Clyde, Kent, and County Mayo.

Significant late news from yesterday concerned a Baird's Sandpiper reported in Highland at Loch Fleet and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Essex at Abberton Reservoir.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Tuesday 10th October 2023  
 

Discoveries today included a Black-and-white Warbler in County Cork at Firkeel Glen, an Isabelline Wheatear in Cleveland at South Gare, an American Buff-bellied Pipit in Cornwall at Nanjizal with a Squacco Heron at nearby Marazion, Pallid Harrier in County Mayo at Termoncarragh, Spotted Sandpiper in County Kerry at Lough Gill, and a Lesser Scaup at Cahore, County Wexford.

Rarities confirmed as still present were Upland Sandpipers in both County Cork and Cornwall, Northern Harrier in Cornwall, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Lincolnshire, Pallid Harrier in Kent, two Blue-winged Teals together in East Yorkshire, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Long-billed Dowitchers in both Norfolk and County Wexford, whilst passerines included White-crowned Sparrow, White's Thrush, Pied Wheatear, Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, Olive-backed Pipit, and two Eastern Stonechat species all on Shetland, Swainson's Thrush and Arctic Warbler on the Western Isles, Lesser Grey Shrike in Argyll, and Arctic Warbler in Northumberland.

On the Isles of Scilly the log call included Melodious Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Serin, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck, Yellow-browed Warbler, Sabine's Gull, Glossy Ibis, two Rose-coloured Starlings, three Barred Warblers, four Richard's Pipits, and at least 750 each of both Cory's Shearwater and Great Shearwater.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 9th October 2023  
 

The highlight of the day was the discovery of two Upland Sandpipers, one in Cornwall flew south over Cot Valley, the other in County Cork at Cape Clear

Following yesterdays condusive easterlies East Yorkshire received two Red-flanked Bluetails at Filey. Shetland had it's fair share with another Eastern Stonechat and two Olive-backed Pipits on Fair Isle, Dusky Warbler at Baltasound, Pied Wheatear at Northdale, and two Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls at Norwick, Long-billed Dowitcher on Bressay. Orkney did too, with an Eastern Stonechat and Olive-backed Pipit and two Red-flanked Bluetails on North Ronaldsay, the Outer Hebrides contributed a Swainson's Thrush on Barra, and a Hooded Merganser at Ardvule. Closer to the Scottish mainland a Richardson's Cackling Goose was found in Argyll on Islay at Loch Gruinart, a Lesser Grey Shrike was also on Islay at Smaull, an Olive-backed Pipit was in Fife on the Isle of May. A Radde's Warbler graced Lincolnshire, with an individual being found at Wolla Bank, in Northumberland a Red-throated Pipit at Longhoughton, an Olive-backed Pipit on Inner Farne, and a Radde's Warbler on Holy Island, in Cleveland a Radde's Warbler at South Gare. The south east of the country was less fortunate, with the best being Black Stork in Kent at Lydd, further west a Red-eyed Vireo was found in Devon on Lundy. Across the Irish Sea there were highlights of a new Long-billed Dowitcher in County Wexford at Cahore Marsh Radde's Warbler at Sandsend, Blyth's Reed Warbler in Fife on the Isle of May, further Arctic Warblers in Northumberland, Norfolk, and the Western Isles, and further Red-flanked Bluetails in Borders, Fife, Lothian, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Norfolk.

Lingering rarity highlights still present were the Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo, Northern Harrier in Cornwall, Wilson's Phalarope in Norfolk, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Lincolnshire, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Pallid Harrier in Kent, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk.
-  Ben Clark, RBA
Sunday 8th October 2023  
 

The highlight of the day was the discovery of a White-crowned Sparrow on the Shetland Isles on Fetlar whilst other new rarities from the Nearctic comprised a Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Cork at Ballycotton and a White-rumped Sandpiper in County Londonderry at Myroe. In Kent a Brown Booby passed Birchington and on the Isles of Scilly the Red-footed Booby showed again on Bishop Rock. In Norfolk a Tawny Pipit was at Happisburgh.

Weather conducive for arrivals from the east brought to East Yorkshire a Black-throated Thrush at Easington, Arctic Warbler at Spurn, and Radde's Warbler at Flamborough Head, a Lanceolated Warbler and Red-flanked Bluetail on the Orkney Isles on North Ronaldsay, on Shetland White's Thrush, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Rustic Bunting, Eastern Stonechat species, and Dusky Warbler, in North Yorkshire Radde's Warbler at Sandsend, Blyth's Reed Warbler in Fife on the Isle of May, further Arctic Warblers in Northumberland, Norfolk, and the Western Isles, and further Red-flanked Bluetails in Borders, Fife, Lothian, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Norfolk.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were the Cape May Warbler and Azorean Yellow-legged Gull in County Mayo, Double-crested Cormorant in County Leitrim, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Northern Harrier in Cornwall, Wilson's Phalarope in Norfolk, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Lincolnshire, Squacco Heron in Somerset, Pallid Harrier in Kent, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Long-billed Dowitchers in both Norfolk and County Wicklow.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Saturday 7th October 2023  
 

The highlight of the day was the discovery of an Eyebrowed Thrush on the Orkney Isles on Mainland at Dounby with an Eastern Stonechat species new on Sanday. Other rarities on Scottish islands were a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler new in Fife on the Isle of May and on Shetland White's Thrush, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail, Olive-backed Pipit, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Eastern Stonechat species, Blyth's Reed Warbler, and Arctic Redpoll.

Nearctic rarities comprised the Cape May Warbler still in County Mayo, Bobolink still on the Isles of Scilly, Northern Harrier in Cornwall, Forster's Tern in Dorset, both Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-rumped Sandpiper all together in Lincolnshire, Lesser Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitcher in County Cork, and Long-billed Dowitcher in County Wicklow.

Otherwise, in Northumberland an Arctic Warbler was found on Holy Island and an Eastern Stonechat species was ar Howick, the Lesser Grey Shrike remained in Cornwall as did the Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Pallid Harriers in both Essex and Kent.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 6th October 2023  
  No new rarities were discovered today, for the first time since 14th September. Late news from yesterday concerned a Squacco Heron at Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset.

Lingerers included the Cape May Warbler in County Mayo, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Harrier and Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Bobolink and Red-eyed Vireo in Scilly, White's Thrush, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler and Eastern Stonechat sp in Shetland, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs in Lincolnshire, Wilson's Phalarope and Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, further Lesser Yellowlegs' in County Louth and County Cork, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Pallid Harrier in Kent and Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire.

Scarcity highlights included a Melodious Warbler, a Hoopoe, a Northern Treecreeper, a Woodchat Shrike, a Red-backed Shrike, two Little Buntings, three Rose-coloured Starlings, four Red-breasted Flycatchers, five Wrynecks, five Barred Warblers, eight Yellow-browed Warblers, ten Common Rosefinches, two American Wigeon, six Ring-necked Ducks, 44 Taiga Bean Geese, a Dotterel, three Buff-breasted Sandpipers, four Pectoral Sandpipers, five American Golden Plovers, five Grey Phalaropes, a Spotted Crake, a Honey Buzzard, a Purple Heron, 27 Glossy Ibises, six Leach's Petrels, two Pomarine Skuas, two Balearic Shearwaters, around 450 Great Shearwaters and around 1,400 Cory's Shearwaters.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 5th October 2023  
 

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

Discoveries today included a Semipalmated Sandpiper briefly in Aberdeenshire at Longhaven, a Red-throated Pipit on Scilly on St Mary's, and on Shetland Mainland an Eastern Stonechat species at Sandness, an Arctic Warbler at Levenwick, and Blyth's Reed Warblers at both Melby and Walls.

Lingering rarities confirmed as still present were White's Thrush, Turkestan Shrike, Lanceolated Warbler, Eastern Subalpine Warbler, another Eastern Stonechat species, another Arctic Warbler, and another Blyth's Reed Warbler all on Shetland, Northern Harrier in County Mayo, Forster's Tern in Dorset, Lesser Grey Shrike in Cornwall, Wilson's Phalarope in Norfolk, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs together in Lincolnshire, Pallid Harriers in Essex, Kent, and the Orkney Isles, Lesser Yellowlegs in County Cork, Blue-winged Teal in East Yorkshire, Ferruginous Duck in Bedfordshire, and Long-billed Dowitchers in both Norfolk and Orkney.
-  Chris Batty, RBA