Wednesday 8th January 2025
	The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Ross's Gull in County Durham; this following a blank year for this species in Britain and Ireland in 2024. Initial located passing Whitburn this adult bird was later relocated between South Shields and Tynemouth, Northumberland. Rarities elsewhere comprised Grey-headed Lapwing and White-billed Diver both still in Northumberland, the Bufflehead still in Shetland, Pallid Harriers in Norfolk and Pembrokeshire, Long-billed Dowitcher in Norfolk, Lesser Yellowlegs in Hampshire, Kentish Plover in Somerset, Lesser Scaups in Essex, Perth and Kinross, and Staffordshire, and Ferruginous Ducks in Hertfordshire, London, and Warwickshire. Significant late news for yesterday concerned a Lesser Scaup in Hampshire at Ibsley where it had first been seen on New Year's Eve 2024.
-  Chris Batty, RBA