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.


Friday 4th November 2011

	The highlight of the day was the second Isabelline Wheatear of the year, this time at Spurn, Yorkshire, where it was trapped and ringed late afternoon and remained in the area until dusk. In Aberdeenshire, both a Desert Wheatear and a Dusky Warbler were found, the former at Girdle Ness and the latter at Balmedie Country Park. Single Red-throated Pipits were seen in County Galway and County Cork, and the discovery of late swifts continued with confirmed Pallid Swifts being seen in Ceredigion, Dorset and Northumberland. New American Golden Plovers were found in Lancashire and the Western Isles, and close scrutiny of the Wilson's Snipe on the Isles of Scilly confirmed that it is a different individual to that present earlier in the autumn. Lingering rarities included the Steppe Grey Shrike in Shropshire, Squacco Heron in Nottinghamshire, Daurian Shrike in Pembrokeshire, Desert Wheatear in Orkney, Pallid Harriers in Kent and Ayrshire, Great Reed Warbler and Dusky Warbler in the Isles of Scilly, White-rumped Sandpipers in Leicestershire and County Cork, Lesser Yellowlegs' in Lincolnshire and Anglesey, Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset, Baird's Sandpiper and American Golden Plover in County Wexford, two Long-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Scaup and Ferruginous Duck in Somerset and Glossy Ibises in Dorset and Yorkshire.
- Will Soar, RBA


Thursday 3rd November 2011

	The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Desert Wheatear on North Ronaldsay, Orkney Isles, with a Dusky Warbler present nearby; in Holm. Elsewhere a Pallid Harrier paid a brief appearance to Plymouth, Devon, a Lesser Scaup was new in Somerset at Chew Valley Lake, as was a Ferruginous Duck at Cheddar Reservoir, and in Ireland a Little Bunting arrived in County Donegal on Tory Island, and an American Golden Plover was found on the Swords Estuary, County Dublin. Lingering rarities comprised the Brown Shrike still in Argyll, Steppe Grey Shrike in Shropshire, Daurian Shrike in Pembrokeshire, Squacco Heron in Nottinghamshire, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, two Long-billed Dowitchers together in Somerset, Lesser Yellowlegs in Lincolnshire, White-rumped Sandpipers in both County Cork and Leicestershire, Glossy Ibis in both Dorset and North Yorkshire, Ferruginous Ducks in Berkshire, Lincolnshire and Somerset, and, on the Isles of Scilly, Dusky Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs and White-rumped Sandpiper. Single Pallas's Warblers remained in Devon, Dorset and Suffolk.
- Chris Batty, RBA


Wednesday 2nd November 2011

	The only new rarity today was a smart Pallid Swift at Whitburn, County Durham, where it showed very well to the finder, but could not be re-found later. Lingering rarities included the Steppe Grey Shrike in Shropshire, Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Dusky Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit in the Isles of Scilly, Squacco Heron in Nottinghamshire, Pallid Harrier in Ayrshire, two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset, Baird's Sandpiper in Orkney, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, single Glossy Ibises in Dorset, Yorkshire, Essex and Kent, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland and single Ferruginous Ducks in Lincolnshire and Berkshire. Scarcity highlights included a Richard's Pipit, a Red-backed Shrike, a Sabine's Gull a Grey Phalarope, three Shorelarks, five Pallas's Warblers, five Rough-legged Buzzards and six Great Grey Shrikes.
- Will Soar, RBA


Tuesday 1st November 2011

	Today's new discoveries included a Great Reed Warbler trapped on Isles of Scilly, Olive-backed Pipit in Devon, five flyover Glossy Ibises in Suffolk, American Golden Plover in Norfolk, Ortolan Bunting in Dorset and Isabelline Shrike in Shetland. Lingering rarities included Steppe Grey Shrike in Shropshire, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Daurian Shrike in Pembrokeshire, Glossy Ibises in Dorset and Kent, Squacco Heron on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border, Pallid Harrier in Ayrshire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Anglesey and Lincolnshire, Ferruginous Ducks in Somerset and Lincolnshire, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, Spotted Sandpipers in Devon and Somerset, two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset and Lesser Scaup in Northumberland. In addition to the Great Reed Warbler, a Dusky Warbler, Olive-backed Pipit, Serin and White-rumped Sandpiper were all recorded on Isles of Scilly. In Ireland a Ferruginous Duck (Co Armagh), American Golden Plovers (Co Kerry and Co Cork), Baird's Sandpiper, Northern Harrier and two Glossy Ibises (Co Wexford) were reported.
- Stuart Piner, RBA


Monday 31st October 2011

	Few of the new rarities discovered today were twitchable, with a Lesser Yellowlegs at Alkborough Flats, Lincolnshire late afternoon being the only one potentially seen by anyone but the finder(s). A Pallid Harrier on Walland Marsh, Kent is the second for the county, following the well twitched bird at Elmley Marshes RSPB back in 2002. Other new discoveries included a White-rumped Sandpiper on Tresco, Isles of Scilly and American Golden Plover at Rosscarbery, County Cork, and flyovers included a Pallid Swift at Landguard NR, Suffolk and single Glossy Ibises in Essex and Sussex. Lingering rarities included Steppe Grey Shrike in Shropshire, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Northern Waterthrush, Wilson's Snipe, Lesser Yellowlegs, Dusky Warbler and Olive-backed Pipit in the Isles of Scilly, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Pallid Harrier in Ayrshire, Squacco Heron in Nottinghamshire, Daurian Shrike in Pembrokeshire, Desert Wheatear and Baird's Sandpiper in Orkney, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Lesser Yellowlegs in Anglesey and Red-breasted Goose in Dorset. Following a twelve day stay in Shetland, the Siberian Rubythroat was not seen at Gulberwick.
- Will Soar, RBA


Sunday 30th October 2011

	The highlight of the day was an Eastern Crowned Warbler in Hertfordshire, trapped and ringed at Hilfield Park Reservoir: only the second British record. Other discoveries included a Steppe Grey Shrike identified in Shropshire at Wall Farm, an American Herring Gull in County Cork at Cobh, now two Dusky Warblers together in Angus at Auchmithie, American Golden Plover in Aberdeenshire on the Ythan Estuary, Tawny Pipit in East Sussex at Pevensey Levels, Glossy Ibis in County Dublin at Rogerstown, Small Canada Goose in County Donegal at Malin, Ferruginous Duck in County Armagh at Lurgan, and a Marbled Duck at Hesketh Out Marsh, Lancashire. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present comprised the Siberian Rubythroat on the Shetland Isles, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Northern Harrier in County Wexford, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Pallid Harriers in both Ayrshire and County Cork, Desert Wheatear on the Orkney Isles, Daurian Shrike in Pembrokeshire, Squacco Heron in Nottinghamshire, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, King Eider in Moray, Baird's Sandpipers in the Orkney Isles and County Wexford, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, two Long-billed Dowitchers together in Somerset, Lesser Yellowlegs on Anglesey, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Glossy Ibises in County Cork (2), East Sussex, Kent and County Wexford (3), and Ferruginous Ducks in Berkshire, Lincolnshire and Somerset. On the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Wilson's Snipe, Olive-backed Pipit, Dusky Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pallas's Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pectoral Sandpiper and four Yellow-browed Warblers.
- Chris Batty, RBA


Saturday 29th October 2011

	The first Desert Wheatear of the year arrived in Orkney today, where it showed very well at Sandside Bay. Other new discoveries included a Red-rumped Swallow at Sea Palling, Norfolk, Pallid Harrier at Power Head and Blue-winged Teal at Ballycotton, both County Cork, American Golden Plover at Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Baird's Sandpiper on North Ronaldsay, Orkney and Glossy Ibis on Horse Eye Level, Sussex. The Bufflehead reappeared in Cornwall, almost predictably being found at Helston, on The Loe Pool mid afternoon. Long staying Megas included the Northern Waterthrush on the Isles of Scilly, Siberian Rubythroat in Shetland, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Northern Harrier in County Wexford and Brown Shrike in Argyll. The Squacco Heron remained in Nottinghamshire, as did the Daurian Shrike in Shetland, Pallid Harrier in Ayrshire, single Dusky Warblers in Angus, Orkney and Isles of Scilly, single Glossy Ibises in Kent, Dorset and County Cork, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Bonaparte's Gull in Cornwall, two Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset and White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire.
- Will Soar, RBA


Friday 28th October 2011

	The fourth Squacco Heron for Nottinghamshire was discovered at Attenborough NR this afternoon. Proving mobile, it just managed to become an addition to the Derbyshire list, as it briefly flew across the nearby border. Other new discoveries today included a Daurian Shrike at Porth Clais, Pembrokeshire, a Dusky Warbler at Orcombe Point, Devon and a Bonaparte's Gull at Sennen, Cornwall. The identification of the first Pallid Harrier for Ayrshire was confirmed, and a Spotted Sandpiper was seen again in County Mayo. Lingering rarities included Siberian Rubythroat and Daurian Shrike in Shetland, Northern Waterthrush, Dusky Warbler and Lesser Yellowlegs in the Isles of Scilly, Brown Shrike and Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll, Daurian Shrike in Norfolk, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Dusky Warblers in Angus and Orkney, Olive-backed Pipit in Yorkshire, single Glossy Ibises in Kent and Dorset, Long-billed Dowitcher in Dumfries and Galloway, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset and Snowy Owl in the Western Isles.
- Will Soar, RBA


Thursday 27th October 2011

	On the Isles of Scilly a Red-eyed Vireo was a new arrival, where the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside the Upland Sandpiper, Dusky Warbler, Lesser Yellowlegs, Richard's Pipit, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting and seven Yellow-browed Warblers. Elsewhere, new rarities comprised single Dusky Warblers in Angus at Auchmithie, and the Orkney Isles on North Ronaldsay, a Blue-winged Teal in Dumfries and Galloway at Wigtown, and a Glossy Ibis at Stodmarsh, Kent. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present included the Siberian Rubythroat on the Shetland Isles, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Bufflehead in Cornwall, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Northern Harrier in County Wicklow, Daurian Shrike and at least one Pallid Swift in Norfolk, Olive-backed Pipit in North Yorkshire, Red-breasted Goose in Dorset, King Eider in Moray, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Baird's Sandpiper in County Wexford, Spotted Sandpipers in both Devon and Somerset, two Long-billed Dowitchers together in Somerset, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Glossy Ibis in County Wexford, Black-bellied Dipper in West Yorkshire, and American Golden Plovers in Argyll, County Mayo and the Western Isles (2). A total of ten Pallas's Warblers were logged, comprising singles in Aberdeenshire, Cornwall, East Yorkshire, Essex, Norfolk and West Sussex, and two each in both East Sussex and Kent.
- Chris Batty, RBA


Wednesday 26th October 2011

	The highlight of the day was the discovery of a Bufflehead in Cornwall at Lizard. Elsewhere, a Pallid Swift arrived in Norfolk between Cromer and West Runton, Olive-backed Pipits were found in Aberdeenshire at Rattray Head, and Filey, North Yorkshire (2), and a Subalpine Warbler was new at Old of Kinsale, County Cork. In County Wexford a second Northern Harrier was confirmed at Tacumshin, whilst a Black-bellied Dipper was identified at Shipley, West Yorkshire. Brief encounters included single Pallid Harriers in both Borders and Lothian, and a Red-throated Pipit in Norfolk. On the Isles of Scilly the Northern Waterthrush remained alongside Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Radde's Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Bluethroat, Spotted Crake, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting and five Yellow-browed Warblers. Lingering rarities confirmed as still present comprised the Siberian Rubythroat on the Shetland Isles, Brown Shrike in Argyll, Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire, Red-eyed Vireo in County Cork, Daurian Shrike in Norfolk, Siberian Stonechat on the Orkney Isles, Upland Sandpiper in County Mayo, Semipalmated Sandpiper in Cleveland, Spotted Sandpiper in Devon, Long-billed Dowitchers in Somerset (2) and Dumfries and Galloway, American Golden Plovers in County Galway and County Mayo, White-rumped Sandpiper in Leicestershire, Black Scoter in Northumberland, Black Duck in County Mayo, King Eider in Moray, Lesser Scaup in Northumberland, Ferruginous Duck in Lincolnshire, Richardson's Canada Goose in Argyll and two Glossy Ibises together in County Cork. Significant late news concerned a Swainson's Thrush present on Friday on the Orkney Isles, at Birsay, Mainland.
- Chris Batty, RBA