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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Friday 29th September 2006  
  New rarities comprised of a Thrush Nightingale in Mainland Shetland, Baird's Sandpiper in Co. Derry and no less than three American Golden Plovers, with two in Ireland and one in Scilly. Otherwise it was more of the same, popular remaining rarities included the Pallid Harrier in Norfolk, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Cork,  Long-billed Dowitcher in Worcestershire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Aberdeenshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Northumberland, Turkestan Shrike on Lewis, Rustic Bunting on Foula and Subalpine Warbler in Scilly all staying put for another day.
-  Richard Moores, RBA
Thursday 28th September 2006  
  Another slow day considering the time of year with just a trio of new rarities discovered. A Red-rumped Swallow flew west over Beeston Bump, Sheringham (Norfolk) but despite the news being broadcast quickly no other birders down the coast managed to connect. Co. Kerry continued its' excellent September with a juvenile American Golden Plover briefly at Smerwick Harbour. Also in Kerry, the Azorean Yellow-legged Gull was on show again at Carrahane Strand, the two adult Bonaparte's Gulls (at Inch Strand and  Kilshannig) again put in appearances, but there was no sign of the Citrine Wagtail at Derrymore. The final new rarity was in Scilly where a Red-throated Pipit pitched up on St. Mary's during the early evening. Scilly also turned up a new Tawny Pipit and Common Rosefinch while lingering birds on the isles include the Bonelli's Warbler species, Subalpine Warbler, Hoopoe, Rose-coloured Starling, Ortolan Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler and a couple of Red-backed Shrikes amongst other species. 

Lingering rarities included the Rustic Bunting on Foula, Blyth's Reed Warbler on North Ronaldsay, Pallid Harrier in Norfolk, Long-billed Dowitcher in Worcestershire, Turkestan Shrike in Western Isles, Snowy Owl in Co. Mayo, while in Co. Cork the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler showed up again on Cape Clear. Meanwhile the Dorset Marbled Duck decided to change behaviour completely and frustrate would be watchers and photographers by becoming elusive for the majority of the day. 

Other new birds worthy of note included a Red-breasted Flycatcher in Dorset, Wryneck in London, Sabine's Gulls off Norfolk and Bardsey Island and two Little Buntings on North Ronaldsay. 

Intriguing news from France where both a Swainson's Thrush and Grey-cheeked Thrush were found on Ouessant island today. Are these the forerunner for some quality Yanks in the south-west?
-  Richard Moores, RBA
Wednesday 27th September 2006  
  Shetland produced a brace of quality new rarities in the shape of a Rustic Bunting on Foula and an Olive-backed Pipit on Out Skerries. Newbiggin (N'berland) continued its' fine run of form with a White-billed Diver close inshore during the early afternoon followed by a juvenile White-winged Black Tern in the evening. The days other new rarities comprised of a Lesser Yellowlegs in Co. Mayo and a Bee-eater reported in Lothian. 

In Norfolk the juvenile Pallid Harrier continued to show well near Winterton throughout the day while in Dorset the controversial Marbled Duck continued its' stay in Christchurch Harbour. the Long-billed Dowitcher remained in Worcestershire, with other remaining rarities including Bonaparte's Gull at Inch (Co. Kerry), Lesser Yellowlegs in Aberdeenshire and Co. Cork and Arctic Warbler on Mainland Shetland.
-  Richard Moores, RBA
Tuesday 26th September 2006  
  A quieter day than yesterday with new rarities including an Arctic Warbler on Coll, Argyll and an American Golden Plover on South Uist, Western Isles whilst the Bonelli's warbler at St Abb's Head, Borders was heard to call and proved itself to be a Western.

The Pallid Harrier remained in Norfolk as did the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Co Cork, Turkestan Shrike on Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Worcestershire, Citrine Wagtail in Co Kerry, Semipalmated Sandpipers in both Co Kerry and Co Wexford and Black-winged Stilt in Carmarthenshire. During the afternoon the Marbled Duck at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset allowed a very close approach; apparently the bird present in East Sussex yesterday had been equally confiding.

Birders on the Scilly Isles continues to enjoy a trickle of rarities and scarcities amongst good numbers of commoner migrants with a Subalpine Warbler on St Agnes and a Bonell's warbler species on St Mary's being the highlights and Rose-coloured Starling, Hoopoe, Icterine Warbler, Richard's Pipit, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-backed Shrike, two Wrynecks, Yellow-browed Warbler and Lapland Bunting as supporting cast.

Meanwhile in Ireland, following the Azorean Yellow-legged Gull present yesterday in Co Kerry further candidates were located today in both Co Down and Co Dublin.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Monday 25th September 2006  
  Another busy day with arguably the most notable discovery being another Marbled Duck, this time at Rye Harbour, East Sussex whilst the original juvenile remained with a Cattle Egret at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset.

In Co Kerry a first-winter Citrine Wagtail was a new arrival at Derrymore as was a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at Smerwick Harbour. In Co Donegal a female Red-footed Falcon made a brief appearance at Glencolumbkille. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was identified on North Ronaldsay, Orkney but a Bonelli's warbler at St Abb's Head, Borders was not assigned to species. A Long-billed Dowitcher was an excellent find inland at Upper Bittell Reservoir, Worcestershire.

Many lingering rarities included the Pallid Harrier in Norfolk, Isabelline Wheatear on Anglesey, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Co Cork, Isabelline Shrike on Western Isles, Western Bonelli's Warbler on Scilly, Black-winged Stilt in Carmarthenshire, Bonaparte's Gull in Northumberland, Greenish Warbler in Co Durham and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall.

In Co Kerry an adult Yellow-legged Gull with well extensive head streaking forming a neat hood was seen again at Carrahane Strand (it was first noted here on 6th September). This bird seem to be a very strong candidate for an Azorean Yellow-legged Gull (form atlantis) also known as Atlantic Gull. This form has previously been suspected in the British Isles on several occasions (in at least Co Waterford, Co Cork, Co Kerry and the Western Isles) but has never been proven to occur here.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Sunday 24th September 2006  
  Star find of the day was a Pechora Pipit at Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire, but unfortunately it did not remain long. Another top find was an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler on Cape Clear, County Cork, although its identity took a while to confirm. A Black-winged Stilt at Coedbach Marsh in Carmarthenshire may well have been the bird from Tacumshin in County Wexford relocating itself. A Greenish Warbler was at Whitburn Coastal Park, County Durham and a Bonelli's Warbler sp. was on Bardsey, Gwynedd. Shetland produced a new Citrine Wagtail, on the Out Skerries, and the Black Scoter reappeared at Llanfairfechan in Conwy.

The Marbled Duck found yesterday evening at Stanpit Marsh in Dorset generated much interest but it's origin is sure to remain controversial. There were two other major rarities found yesterday that remained popular today: the Isabelline Wheatear at Carmel Head on Anglesey and the Pallid Harrier at Winterton in Norfolk. Lewis on the Western Isles continued to host an Isabelline Shrike, with the Western Bonelli's Warbler remaining on St.Agnes in The Scillies. Black-headed Bunting, Red-rumped Swallow and Arctic Warbler all remained on The Shetlands.

A number of Wrynecks were found, primarily in the south west and there was an arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers on the north-east coast later in the day. There were half a dozen Hoopoes, with three in Ireland, and at least nine Honey Buzzards seen, of which several were departing south from the south coast. Two Rose-coloured Starlings were in East Anglia.
-  Pete Hayman, RBA
Saturday 23rd September 2006  
  There was something of an electric atmosphere today with the major attractions being a juvenile Pallid Harrier that lingered all day at Winterton, Norfolk and an Isabelline Wheatear (actually first seen yesterday) that showed well at Carmel Head, Anglesey.

Other notable discoveries included a brief Pallid Swift over Portland, Dorset, an Arctic Warbler on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, a Citrine Wagtail at Scatness, Shetland Isles, a Wilson's Phalarope at Loop Head, Co Clare and a White-winged Black Tern at William Girling Reservoir, London.

Rarities found yesterday that remained overnight included the Isabelline Shrike on Western Isles, Western Bonelli's Warbler on Isles of Scilly, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Gloucestershire and Black-winged Stilt in Co Wexford whilst long staying rarities included both Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall and Pechora Pipit and Arctic Warbler on Shetland Isles.

Reports of a probable Eleonora's Falcon over Plymstock, Devon and a Marbled Duck at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset are likely to be treated with an equal degree of intrigue and skepticism.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 22nd September 2006  
  Slimbridge WWT (Glos) was the place to be today as the counties first Semipalmated Sandpiper was found on The Dumbles at high tide in the morning. The bird showed well from the Holden Tower but then moved to the Severn Estuary as the tide receded where it became more distant. During its time on The Dumbles it was joined by a brace of Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which, along with the three juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers already present combined to complete an astonishing day for the county. On Lewis (W.Isles) a 1st-winter Isabelline Shrike was found at Brue, while other new rarities consisted of a Western Bonelli's Warbler on St. Agnes, Black Kite on the Isle of Wight, and both Black-winged Stilt and Semipalmated Sandpiper in Co. Wexford. The Black-winged Stilt was at Tacumshin and continues an astonishing run of form at the site since the start of September. The roll of honour is truly mouth-watering for a single site and is comprised of Citrine Wagtail, American Golden Plover, Baird's Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, two Pectoral Sandpipers, up to eight Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Tawny Pipit, and Melodious Warbler. Other notable sightings today include a Little Bunting on Fair Isle, Kentish Plover in Gloucestershire, a couple of new Melodious Warblers, three Hoopoes, Ortolan Buntings in Cornwall and Dorset, Rose-coloured Starling in Norfolk, and a plethora of Pectoral Sandpipers and Wrynecks. 

Top drawer remaining rarities included both Pechora Pipit and Olive-backed Pipit on Fair Isle, Arctic Warbler on Mainland Shetland, both Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in Cornwall, both Black-headed Bunting and Booted Warbler on Fetlar, and Lesser Yellowlegs in Aberdeenshire. A 1st-winter Black-eared Wheatear was also reported from Zennor (Cornwall). On the local front, Little Stint numbers continue to build across the country and Black Terns continue to be widespread
-  Richard Moores, RBA
Thursday 21st September 2006  
  The Shetland Isles continued to hog the limelight with Fetlar hosting Pechora Pipit, Black-headed Bunting, Booted Warbler and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Fair Isle still holding Pechora Pipit, Aquatic Warbler and Buff-breasted Sandpiper and on Shetland Mainland Arctic Warbler, Black-headed Bunting and Red-rumped Swallow.

Cornwall also produced star birds with a Little Shearwater passing Mousehole, the Least Sandpiper remaining on the Hayle Estuary and the Wilson's Phalarope at Stithians Reservoir.

Discoveries elsewhere included at Semiplamated Sandpiper in Pagham Harbour, West Sussex briefly and a Lesser Yellowlegs at Rosslare Back Strand, Co Wexford.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 20th September 2006  
  Highlight of the day, at least for the lucky two who found it, was Hampshire's first record of Western Sandpiper. Unfortunately there was no further sign of the juvenile bird after the initial mornings sighting. Hampshire listers will be hoping that this extreme rarity re-appears over the next few days. Other new rare waders comprised of a Baird's Sandpiper at St. John's Lake (Cornwall), American Golden Plover on Lewis (W.Isles) and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Co. Cork. The wandering Glossy Ibis continued its' journey north, appearing briefly at Martin Mere WWT during the afternoon, although its' presence was not appreciated by the local gull population and was promptly harassed off the reserve. Otherwise it was again fairly quiet with the best of the rest including a Red-necked Phalarope in Dorset, Wryneck in Solihull (W.Mids) while the Pectoral Sandpiper totals at both Slimbridge WWT (Glos) and Lissagriffin (Co. Cork) has increased to three. Remaining rarities included the Pechora Pipit on Fair Isle, Wilson's Phalarope and Least Sandpiper in Cornwall, and White-winged Black Tern in Northumberland.
-  Richard Moores, RBA