Sunday 8th December 2024
	Maybe not surprisingly, with Storm Darragh bringing strong northerly winds down the east coast, the main focus of attention today was on Little Auks. Birds were recorded all along the east coast from Shetland to Kent, with maximum counts of 127 past Whitburn and 66 past Seaton Sluice in County Durham, 101 past Flamborough in East Yorkshire and 98 past Beadnell in Northumberland. Lingering rarities included the American Coot in Shetland, Hume's Warbler in Kent, White-rumped Sandpiper in Suffolk, two Richardson's Cackling Geese in County Mayo, Pallid Harrier in Pembrokeshire, Ferruginous Duck in Warwickshire and Lesser Scaups in Staffordshire, Fife and County Wexford.
-  Pete Hayman, RBA