Summary of Britain and Ireland Rarity News 26/2/09

I've been told to be careful that I'm not breaching copyright so I don't get my legs broken. So here, in my own words, are the highlights of the new and mostly continuing rarities:

The drake LESSER SCAUP was still 2.5 miles SE of Nottingham at Holme Pierrepont on the A52 Pit. The drake Hooded Merganser of unknown origin is still at Radipole Lake RSPB, Dorset this afternoon. Also, in Dorset, the female Ring-necked Duck was still north of Studland at Little Sea this afternoon. In Somerset, a GREAT WHITE EGRET was seen in flight only at 11am at Ham Wall RSPB. New In Merseyside, was a possible American Herring Gull reported yesterday at Seaforth LWT. In Ayrs, the ad white morph Lesser Snow Goose was still 8 miles east of Ayr and 1/2ml east of Drongan north of B7046 between Treesmax Farm  and Carston Farm this afternoon. The minima Cackling Canada Goose was still at Caerlaverock WWT from Folly Pond Hide early afternoon with Barnacle Geese. In E.Yorkshire, the 1st winter drake KING EIDER was still at Flamborough Head east of Breil Nook. Lastly, in Cornwall, the 1st winter Snowy Owl was still 2.5 miles SW of St Ives at 11am NW of Amalveor Downs 100m SW of Sperris Quoit SW475375.

Britain and Ireland rarity news highlights from 24/2/09

Reports of a Coues's Arctic Redpoll near Sunderland at the weekend
(present for 2 wks!) and a possible Lesser white-fronted Goose
reported from Orkney mainland at Tankerness.

Otherwise, nothing new. Can't believe March is almost here and we
should be seeing reports of Hoopoe and the likes.

2 Great White Egrets, Cambridgeshire

2 GREAT WHITE EGRETS Ely at Roswell GPs in trees opposite sailing club at 6.30am

Summary Rarities and other interesting sightings Britain and Ireland 23/2/09

Devon Rose-coloured Starling Northam Burrows Ctry Park at 10.45am.

Dorset Ring-necked Duck fem north of Studland at Little Sea viewed from hide on Woodland Trail or old hide on shore

Glos American Wigeon drk still 10.37am Slimbridge WWT from Lathbury Hide

Hants Rough-legged Buzzard 2w.male still NNE of Andover +just NE of Faccombe flew north at Pilot Hill viewed from wind turbine at 8.10am. Keep to public rights of way SU.385.582

Dumfr+Galloway released White-tailed Eagle juv y'day north of Kirkcudbright south of A75 east of A762 +west of A711 north of Tongland

Devon PENDULINE TIT male still south of Paignton at Clennon Valley west of A379 +SW of leisure centre on 2nd pond at 10.10am. Use leisure centre c'pk +take footpath SW past football pitches SX.884.593

W.Isles LESSER SCAUP 1w.drk reported y'day Benbecula at Loch Dun Mhurchaidh

Hants Green-winged Teal drk still Keyhaven Lagoon

Ayrs Ring-necked Duck fem still 4.5mls SE of Ayr at east end of Martnaham Loch at 9am NS.397.174

Scilly Kumlien's Gull juv still St.Mary's on Porth Mellon beach at 8.30am +juv.Iceland Gull still

Hants probable Siberian Chiffchaff Titchfield on west side of canal opposite 2nd field south of Bridge Street this morning

Glos American Wigeon 1w.drk still 1pm Slimbridge WWT from Lathbury Hide +showing well

Somerset GREAT WHITE EGRET still 4mls west of Glastonbury at Shapwick Heath NNR on Noah's Lake at 12.15pm

Pembrokes CATTLE EGRET still near Newport on Nevern Estuary upstream of iron bridge at 9am

Isle of Man CATTLE EGRET still Port St.Mary in flooded field viewed from Truggan Road at 4.50pmcSC.205.683

W.Yorks possible Caspian Gull ad SE of Leeds at Swillington Ings in Astley Lake roost (earlier at landfill site) +Iceland Gull flew over

W.Mids Kumlien's Gull 2w Bartley Resr roost on jetty at 4pm +showing well

Ayrs Lesser Snow Goose ad white morph still c8mls east of Ayr at Drongan at Treesmax Farm with 640.Pink-footed Geese +225.Greylag Geese

W.Sussex RED-BREASTED GOOSE ad still between West Wittering +East Head in fields at 12.45pm with 1,000.Dark-bellied Brent Geese

M'yside Green-winged Teal drk y'day Seaforth LWT again (permit only)

Co.Clare Ring-necked Duck drk Ennis still at Ballyallia Lake

Fife Surf Scoter drk Largo Bay still at east end off Ruddons Point at 1pm

Berks Caspian Gull ad Theale GPs at Moatlands Main Lake at 3pm

Devon Black Brant ad still Exmouth on Exe Estuary off Shelly Beach early a'noon then flew towards Starcross

12:41 Siberian Chiffchaff, Hampshire

Probable Siberian Chiffchaff Titchfield on west side of canal opposite 2nd field south of Bridge Street this morning.

Rose-coloured Starling, Devon

Devon Rose-coloured Starling Northam Burrows Country Park at 10.45am. No mention of age in report. 

Lesser Scaup, Western Isles

LESSER SCAUP 1st winter drake reported yesterday from Benbecula at Loch Dun Mhurchaidh

Summary Rarities and other interesting sightings Britain and Ireland 22/2/09

Hants Black Brant ad Hurst Spit still in channel at dusk with Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Hants Rough-legged Buzzard 2w.male still 2.10pm NNE of Andover +2/3ml west of Faccombe in field viewable from minor road. Keep to public rights of way SU.385.582

Pembrokes CATTLE EGRET still 5.15pm near Newport on Nevern Estuary from iron bridge tho mobile (+Little Egret)

Orkney SNOWY OWL fem y'day again Shapinsay near Furrowend at Balaclava

Hants Green-winged Teal drk (or hybrid) still late a'noon Keyhaven Lagoon tho distant

W.Yorks 80+Waxwings Dewsbury by bus station at 3pm

W.Sussex RED-BREASTED GOOSE ad still between West Wittering +East Head early a'noon with Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Norfolk CATTLE EGRET still 5mls ESE of Holt +3/4ml NE of Plumstead in cattle field on west side of Barningham Park mid a'noon. View east from road TG.142.357

Norfolk Ross's Goose ad white morph still 3pm 1/2ml SE of Horsey Mill in field by B1159 with Pink-footed Geese

Cheshire Ring-billed Gull ad still 12.47pm Sandbach Flashes on Pumphouse Flash

Bucks Goshawk Little Marlow GPs at 10.30am

Dorset 3.Siberian Chiffchaffs Holes Bay behind PC World car park

Scilly reported Pacific Diver recently St.Mary's/ Eastern Isles may be a hybrid diver

Yesterday Co.Cork BONAPARTE'S GULL ad y'day Cobh again by Kennedy''s Pier +4.Ring-billed Gulls (ad +3.2w) (+6.Med Gulls)

Pacific Diver, Isles of Scilly may be hybrid

reported Pacific Diver recently St.Mary's/ Eastern Isles may be a hybrid diver ...

21/2/09 Summary Rarity News from Britain and Ireland

Sources Birdguides and RBA

Devon ad.fem Surf Scoter  4.45pm Dawlish Warren NNR but distant

Norfolk White Stork c3mls NW of Wymondham near Kimberley in field by B1108/ B1135 junction at 2.45pm but not seen later in afternoon.

Cambs GREAT WHITE EGRET east of Pymoor again in ditch NE of Dunkirk late morning

Dumfr+Galloway Cackling Canada Goose (form minima) still 3.05pm Caerlaverock WWT from Silver +Gold Hide with Barnacle Geese

Cornwall 2.CATTLE EGRETS 2mls west of Penzance at Drift Resr this morning (+2.Pink-footed Geese3.fem.Goosanders)

Devon PENDULINE TIT male y'day still south of Paignton at Clennon Valley west of A379 +SW of leisure centre on 2nd pond. Use leisure centre c'pk +take footpath SW past football pitches. Wellingtons recommendedSX.884.593

Norfolk CATTLE EGRET still 11.57am 5mls ESE of Holt +3/4ml NE of Plumstead in cattle field on west side of Barningham Park. Take track from dairy farm towards church to view TG.142.357

Co.Donegal Kumlien's Gull ad y'day still Killybegs +9.Iceland Gulls 8.Glaucous Gulls

Norfolk PENDULINE TIT again Strumpshaw Fen RSPB from Fen Hide at 9.45am

Ayrs Lesser Snow Goose ad white morph y'day still c8mls east of Ayr SE of Drongan in field north of B7046 at 3.30pm with 130+Greylag Geese (+9.Whooper Swans) cNS.455.185

Cornwall SNOWY OWL 1w still 3mls WSW of St.Ives +1ml E.of Zennor 1/2ml S.of B3306 near Sperris Quoit at 9.35am tho distant. Park by B3306 by Eagle's Nest House SW.468.387 then walk south for 400yds+fork left by ruined building for 400yds

Co.Galway AMERICAN HERRING GULL ad again Galway at Nimmo's Pier at 8.25am +ad.Kumlien's Gull still

W.Sussex RED-BREASTED GOOSE ad still between West Wittering +East Head on marsh at 8.15am with Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Oxon GREAT WHITE EGRET still Otmoor RSPB c1ml along bridleway from car park in large field at Noake end at 7.30am

Summary of rest of today's UK news 20/2/09

Hants possible Siberian Chiffchaff Southampton near Ascupart Street at St.Mary's play area at 8.25am

Notts LESSER SCAUP ad.drk still 2.5mls SE of Nottingham at Holme Pierrepont on A52 Pit. Park in layby 1/2ml east of A52 Gamston roundabout +walk west to view from gate. No general access to pit +keep out of fields

Staffs Kumlien's Gull 2w Belvide Resr roost at 5pm (permit only)

Bucks Rough-legged Buzzard reported Great Hampden near church

Dorset 2.Siberian Chiffchaffs (1.singing male) Holes Bay in drain by PC World +Firecrest

Norfolk Black Brant ad Titchwell RSPB still with Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Glos GYR white morph near Coleford at Symonds Yat Rock RSPB late a'noon then flew off

Hants Black Brant ad Farlington Marshes HWT still by information centre with c1,000.Dark-bellied Brent Geese then flew onto estuary (+Long-eared Owl still)

E.YKS drk Green-winged Teal. N.Cave Wetlands, 3pm on Island Lake from Turret Hide.

1st Garganey of spring?

Drk Garganey. Hornsea Mere, off 1st fld. E Yorks

American Herring Gull, Devon

AMERICAN HERRING GULL 1w still 1.40pm Budleigh Salterton on rocks off east end of beach

Poss Nordic Jackdaw, Northumberland

possible Nordic Jackdaw NW of Haydon Bridge at Newbrough in stubble at 10.45am NY.869.686

Snow Goose, County Mayo

Snow Goose white morph Termoncarragh. ad.Ring-billed Gull Belmullet. 9.Glaucous Gulls Annagh Head. 

King Eider, County Sligo

2.KING EIDERS (fem +1w.drk) still Lissadell in Drumcliff Bay

Ring-necked Duck, Buckinghamshire

Ring-necked Duck ad.drk still Foxcote Resr at west end at 8.55am

Summary of UK Rare Bird News Yesterday 19/2/09

Here are some of the more interesting items from yesterday. I hope to post regularly during the day as interesting news happens.

News here from Rare Bird Alert and BirdCall

Norfolk CATTLE EGRET still 5mls SE of Holt at Matlaske in cattle field by Barningham Hall entrancecTG.140.353

Scilly CATTLE EGRET still St.Mary's at allotments by dump at 8.16am. juv.Kumlien's Gull still Porth Mellon beach +2.Iceland Gulls (ad +juv) 2w.Glaucous Gull

Cattle Egret, Devon

 - Devon CATTLE EGRET Yelland still around farm buildings viewable from Tarka Trail at 4:30pm

Isle of Man CATTLE EGRET still Port St.Mary in cattle field by gas storage tanks at 10am. View from Truggan Road cSC.205.683

Scilly PACIFIC DIVER ad still south of Eastern Isles viewed from Pelistry, St.Mary's at 11am tho distant and then Scilly PACIFIC DIVER ad still 1pm St.Mary's off Watermill

Cornwall SNOWY OWL 1w still 3mls WSW of St.Ives +1ml east of Zennor 1/2ml south of B3306 near Sperris Quoit. Park by B3306 by Eagle's Nest House SW.468.387 then walk south for 400yds +fork left by ruined building for 400yds

Dumfr+Galloway Cackling Canada Goose (form minima) Caerlaverock WWT again from Saltcot Tower with Barnacle Geese

Hants/Berks Rough-legged Buzzard 2w.male still 11.45am NNE of Andover +c1/2ml NE of Faccombe viewed from road north of wind turbine then flew NW. Keep strictly to public rights of way

N'berland Ring Ouzel male still High Newton-by-the-Sea just north of car park on dung heap at Newton Links House this a'noon tho mobile. 5.Snow Buntings Long Nanny at midday

Orkney SNOWY OWL fem Shapinsay c3/4ml east of Furrowend in fields near Parkhall till 5.45pm then flew towards The Ouse

Dorset Great S'water Lyme Bay from Marinelife pelagic at 1pm +Balearic S'water (+Bonxie)

Co.Cork 6.CATTLE EGRETS near Clonakilty still at Inchydoney at Beamish's Pool

ORK fem Ring-necked Duck. N.Ronaldsay, + Taiga Bean Goose, 3 Glaucous Gull

NORF ad white Ross's Goose. 3.5ml SE of Dersingham, am nr Hillington with PfGeese, 2 Tundra Ben Geese, WfGeese.