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 15th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of the first Isabelline Wheatear for Sussex, where it remained all afternoon at Crowlink Down. Birders not seeing the Rufous-tailed Robin in Norfolk were kept entertained by a Radde's Warbler and a Red-flanked Bluetail, at Weybourne and Holme respectively, along with good numbers of scarce migrants along the coast. Another Red-flanked Bluetail was a Northward Hill, Kent.

Other new arrivals included a male Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Olive-backed Pipit in Suffolk, Red-throated Pipits in Cornwall, Hampshire and County Cork (2), Penduline Tit in Kent, two Radde's Warblers on the Isles of Scilly, Dusky Warblers in Shetland and Kent, White-rumped Sandpipers in Leicestershire and the Western Isles, Lesser Yellowlegs' in the Isles of Scilly and Argyll, three American Golden Plovers in County Cork, Semipalmated Sandpiper in County Kerry, Glossy Ibises in Cleveland and Suffolk (3), Blue-winged Teals in Yorkshire and County Clare (2) and Ferruginous Duck in Norfolk.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Friday 14th October 2011  
  Today's hot news related to a Rufous-tailed Robin at Warham Greens (Norfolk). Having only been recorded in Britain on two previous occasions (the famous 2004 Fair Isle bird and the individual found dead on Orkney last year), if present tomorrow the Norfolk bird will present most birders with their first opportunity to see Rufous-tailed Robin in the British Isles.

Elsewhere new discoveries included a Dusky Warbler in Essex, Rustic Bunting in East Yorkshire, Radde's Warblers in Norfolk and East Yorkshire, Blyth's Reed Warbler on Shetland and Isabelline Shrike in Suffolk.

In Ireland a Grey-cheeked Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo and two Red-throated Pipits were all logged in Co Cork, whilst in Co Wexford a Least Sandpiper and five Semipalmated Sandpipers were recorded at Tacumshin.

On Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, two Red-throated Pipits, two Lesser Yellowlegs, Subalpine Warbler and American Golden Plover were all logged.

The best of the rest included four Red-flanked Bluetails, three Black Kites, two Spotted Sandpipers, Lesser Scaup and Black Scoter in Northumberland and Olive-backed Pipit on North Ronaldsay.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Thursday 13th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of five Red-flanked Bluetails: two together in County Durham at Whitburn, two in Suffolk (Minsmere and Orford Ness) and one at Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire. Elsewhere, a Forster's Tern was returned to Cruisetown Strand, County Louth, a Spotted Sandpiper was found in County Cork at Rosscarbery, Olive-backed Pipits on the Orkney Isles at North Ronaldsay and in Lincolnshire at Wroot, Glossy Ibis in East Yorkshire, a brief Red-throated Pipit in Kent, Little Bunting in Suffolk, White-rumped Sandpiper in Perth and Kinross, and a Ross's Goose in Dumfries and Galloway.

Lingering rarities included the Upland Sandpiper still in County Mayo, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Somerset (2) and County Wexford, American Golden Plover on the Western Isles, two Black Kites together and a Glossy Ibis in Cornwall, and single Ferruginous Ducks in both Lincolnshire and Somerset.

Around the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside the Wilson's Snipe, Least Sandpiper, two each of Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-throated Pipit, Rose-coloured Starling and Common Rosefinch, three Wrynecks and single Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting. Meanwhile, on the Shetland Isles a Lanceolated Warbler arrived on Fair Isle, as did a Semipalmated Sandpiper on Foula, whilst American Buff-bellied Pipit, Pallid Harrier, Daurian Shrike and Yellow-browed Warbler lingered around the archipelago.

Significant late news concerned a Yellow-billed Cuckoo found moribund yesterday in Liverpool, Merseyside.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Wednesday 12th October 2011  
  Highlight of the day was the first Upland Sandpiper in Ireland since a one day bird in 1995. If this one remains on The Mullet, County Mayo, it will undoubtedly prove popular. Elsewhere in Ireland a Pallid Harrier was seen at St John's Point, County Down, and the Long-billed Dowitcher was confirmed in Bannow Bay, County Wexford. A Fea's Petrel past North Ronaldsay, Orkney, a Baird's Sandpiper at Loch Stiapabhat, Western Isles and a Tawny Pipit at Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset rounded off the days new rarities.

The American Buff-bellied Pipit was re-found at Newhaven, Sussex, whilst another remained in Shetland. Other lingering rarities included the Black Scoter and Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Northern Waterthrush, Least Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs', American Golden Plover, Red-throated Pipit and a Subalpine Warbler in the Isles of Scilly, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Daurian Shrike in Shetland, two Long-billed Dowitchers and a Spotted Sandpiper in Somerset, Long-billed Dowitcher and Baird's Sandpiper in the Western Isles, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dumfries and Galloway and American Golden Plover in Argyll.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Tuesday 11th October 2011  
  The highlight today was the reappearance of the Black Scoter in Northumberland, this time being seen off Goswick this afternoon. Nearby, an American Golden Plover was at Newbiggin at high tide, whilst in County Wexford a Baird's Sandpiper was in Bannow Bay with a dowitcher species. Significant late news concerned a very smart American Buff-bellied Pipit in Sussex, photographed at Newhaven on Sunday, but not identified at the time.

Lingering island rarities included Northern Waterthrush, Least Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs', American Golden Plover and Red-throated Pipit in the Isles of Scilly, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Daurian Shrike, Citrine Wagtail and American Golden Plover in Shetland, and Spotted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Baird's Sandpiper, two White-rumped Sandpipers, American Golden Plover and a Little Bunting in the Western Isles.

Mainland rarity highlights included two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset (with singles in Ayrshire, Carmarthenshire and Dumfries and Galloway), Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, at least two Black Kites, a Glossy Ibis and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, single Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset and single Ferruginous Ducks in Lincolnshire and Somerset.

In Ireland, the Red-eyed Vireo remained in County Cork, as did the Bonaparte's Gull in County Antrim, two American Golden Plovers in County Mayo and Least Sandpiper, three Semipalmated Sandpipers and two Glossy Ibises in County Wexford.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Monday 10th October 2011  
  Highlight of the day was the discovery of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Eday - the first record for Orkney.

On the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Least Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-throated Pipit, American Golden Plover and Subalpine Warbler were all recorded.

On the Shetland Isles the American Buff-bellied Pipit, Pallid Harrier and Daurian Shrike remained on Mainland.

New discoveries included Red-eyed Vireo and Red-throated Pipit in Co Cork, Bonaparte's Gull in Co Antrim, Little Bunting on Western Isles and a Fea's Petrel flew past Thorpeness (Suffolk).

Records of Nearctic waders, in addition to the birds logged on Isles of Scilly, comprised Semipalmated Plover in Co Kerry, Least Sandpiper and three Semipalmated Sandpipers in Co Wexford, Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall, two Spotted Sandpipers, three American Golden Plovers, four White-rumped Sandpipers and six Long-billed Dowitchers.

Elsewhere lingering rarities included Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Ferruginous Duck in Lincolnshire, two Richardson's Canada Geese in Argyll and 19 Glossy Ibises were recorded.
-  Stuart Piner, RBA
Sunday 9th October 2011  
  New discoveries today included a Red-eyed Vireo on Lewis, Western Isles, a Red-throated Pipit at Spurn, Yorkshire, an Olive-backed Pipit on Whalsay, Shetland, a Red-footed Falcon at Christchurch, Dorset and a Lesser Scaup in Whitley Bay, Northumberland. Extra Glossy Ibises joined lingering birds in County Wexford and Suffolk, whilst one seen at Newport Wetlands, Gwent may have been the recent Ceredigion bird. A second Richardson's Canada Goose arrived on Islay, Argyll.

Long staying rarity highlights included Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs' and an American Golden Plover in the Isles of Scilly, American Buff-bellied Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit and Daurian Shrike in Shetland, Bonaparte's Gull in Orkney, single Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire, Ceredigion and Dumfries and Galloway, single Lesser Yellowlegs' in Cornwall and Western Isles and single Spotted Sandpipers in Somerset and Devon.
-  Will Soar, RBA
Saturday 8th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the discovery of an Upland Sandpiper on the Isles of Scilly, where both the Wilson's Snipe, Least Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs, an American Golden Plover and a Pectoral Sandpiper all remained. Elsewhere, Nearctic shorebirds comprised the Semipalmated Plover still in County Kerry, Least Sandpiper in County Wexford, Semipalmated Sandpipers in Couty Cork, Essex and County Wexford (3), Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, Long-billed Dowitchers in Ayrshire, Cornwall and Dumfries and Galloway, Lesser Yellowlegs on the Western Isles, American Golden Plovers in County kerry (2), County Waterford, Shetland Isles and Western Isles, White-rumped Sandpiper on the Western Isles, five Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a further 12 Pectoral Sandpipers.

Other rarities included a Barolo Little Shearwater passing Tynemouth, Northumberland, Bonaparte's Gull on the Orkney Isles, Blue-winged Teal in County Dublin, three Black Kites together in Cornwall, Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll, two Ross's Geese together in Northumberland, Ferruginous Ducks in both Berkshire and Northamptonshire, Glossy Ibises in County Cork (16), Cornwall, Dorset (3), Suffolk and County Wexford.

Otherwise on the Scilly Isles the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, three Wrynecks and four Yellow-browed Warblers. Around the Shetland Isles an American Buff-bellied Pipit was discovered on the Mainland at Quendale, where the lingering Pallid Harrier remained along with a Daurian Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, Richard's Pipit, two Barred Warblers, four Common Rosefinches and seven Yellow-browed Warblers.
-  Chris Batty, RBA
Friday 7th October 2011  
  The identification of the Wilson's Snipe on the Isles of Scilly was finally confirmed today, with the bird remaining at Lower Moors, St Mary's.

Apart from a Glossy Ibis in Suffolk and a Lesser Scaup in Shetland, all the new rarities discovered today were nearctic waders. New Long-billed Dowitchers were at Caerlaverock WWT, Dumfries and Galloway, Lochlea, Ayrshire and Davidstow Airfield, Cornwall, White-rumped Sandpipers were at Fenham Flats, Northumberland, Black Rock Strand, County Kerry and West Gerinish, Western Isles, American Golden Plovers were on Tiree, Argyll, Hillwell, Shetland and Loch Stiapabhat, Western Isles and a Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Black Rock Strand, County Kerry.

Lingering Megas included Northern Waterthrush and Least Sandpiper in the Isles of Scilly, Semipalmated Plover in County Kerry and Sandhill Crane in Suffolk (until it flew south).
-  Will Soar, RBA
Thursday 6th October 2011  
  The highlight of the day was the continued presence of the Sandhill Crane in Suffolk at Boyton. Other rarities included the Pallid Harrier in Somerset, American Black Tern in Lincolnshire, Bonaparte's Gulls in East Sussex and the Orkney Isles, Blue-winged Teal in County Dublin, Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll, three Black Kites together in Cornwall, Ferruginous Ducks in both Berkshire and Somerset, and 23 Glossy Ibises: 17 in County Cork, three in Dorset and singles in Cornwall, Kent and Isle of Wight.

Nearctic waders comprised Semipalmated Plover (County Kerry), Solitary Sandpiper (Lancashire and Isles of Scilly), Least Sandpiper (Isles of Scilly), Semipalmated Sandpiper (Western Isles (2), County Cork, County Wexford (2), Cornwall, Essex and County Mayo), Spotted Sandpiper (County Cork, Devon, Somerset), Long-billed Dowitcher (Carmarthenshire and Moray), Lesser Yellowlegs (Cornwall, Moray, Isles of Scilly and Western Isles), American Golden Plover (County Mayo, Isles of Scilly, Shetland Isles and Western Isles), White-rumped Sandpiper (County Wexford and Highland), five Buff-breasted Sandpipers and 18 Pectoral Sandpipers.

Otherwise, on the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Subalpine Warbler, Black Kite, 2 Short-toed Larks, Honey Buzzard and Yellow-browed Warbler. On the Shetland Isles a Daurian Shrike was discovered, as well as a Pallid Harrier, Olive-backed Pipit, Citrine Wagtail, three Little Buntings, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Short-toed Lark, two Common Rosefinches, Barred Warbler, Lapland Bunting and 15 Yellow-browed Warblers.
-  Chris Batty, RBA