Midsummer MARSH WARBLERS

Phil Barnett discovered a singing male MARSH WARBLER at Otmoor RSPB reserve (Oxfordshire) this evening, frequenting Hawthorns and reedbed vegetation adjacent to the main track between the first and second screens, whilst only the 7th MARSH WARBLER for Hertfordshire continues for a fourth day just west of the canal at Amwell (see full directions on my Hertfordshire Birding site). A further singing male was in the Bird Observatory Garden on Bardsey Island (Caernarvon), with another trapped and ringed on North Ronaldsay (Orkney).

A singing male WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER was present on Ramsey Island (Pembs) today, with a EUROPEAN BEE-EATER briefly with Common Swifts over Easton, Portland (Dorset) mid-morning (presumably the same bird seen later at Durlston CP). Earlier this morning, a BLACK KITE drifted slowly over Crapmoor Fish Farm and neighbouring fields near Romsey (Hants) before disappearing south towards Emer Bog and North Baddesley.

In Somerset, the 'barking' male LITTLE BITTERN remains on territory at Loxton Marsh at Shapwick Heath.

A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was on the tidal pool at Greatham Creek (Cleveland) this evening.

Further north, on Shetland, the drake NORTH AMERICAN WOOD DUCK remains on Spiggie and the drake LESSER SCAUP on Loch of Benston, whilst two QUAIL were showing well on Unst at Ungirsta.

As usual, Common Crossbills are beginning to disperse southwards and a number of failed or non-breeding waders are reappearing at wetland sites, particularly Green Sandpipers.

Three SPOONBILLS remain on Cley Marshes North Scrape (Norfolk), whilst 3 ROSEATE TERNS remain at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk).

RECENT NEWS

An EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER was present on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 21 June, with WOODCHAT SHRIKES on Rhossilli Down (at SS 427 894) (The Gower) from 16-21 June and at Orford (Suffolk) on 21 June.

A male RED-NECKED PHALAROPE moved from Titchfield Haven (Hants) on 20 to Upton Warren Flashes (Worcs) on 21, with a male RED-BACKED SHRIKE at Brockholes Quarry (Lancs) on 20 and a summer-plumaged SPOTTED SANDPIPER (the first of the year) at North Cave Wetlands (East Yorks) on 20-21 June. A late male BLUETHROAT was on the Isle of May (Fife) on 22 June.