Excitement looming

On Sunday, what was probably the same PACIFIC SWIFT that had visited on several occasions before flew south along the Spurn Point peninsular (East Yorkshire) at 1340 hours. It lingered briefly at the Warren, only narrowly missing one of the mistnets, and was intercepted by seven lucky observers thanks to the exceptional rapid dissemination of news from the finder John Hewitt. What is quite possibly the same bird was seen at Spurn in both July 2005 and late June 2008.

The first MARSH SANDPIPER of the year - an adult - was found at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve (East Yorkshire) on Monday and is still present today frequenting the Ousefleet Lagoon. Meanwhile, an adult SPOTTED SANDPIPER remains at Rutland Water (Leics) for a second day - showing from the Shallow Water hide at the Lyndon Nature Reserve, whilst an adult PECTORAL SANDPIPER is on the scrape at Holland Haven Country Park Essex)..

Cambridgeshire's first-ever twitchable COMMON ROSEFINCH continues to whistle at regular intervals at the Old Barns complex at Foxfield House at TL 399 458, just west of Fowlmere RSPB reserve on the edge of Melbourn.This very drab first-summer male is favouring the tall conifers in the gardens and can be seen from the minor road adjacent or the track leading towards the Kingway Golf Course. There are a few parking places along Fowlmere Road but it is probably best to park at the RSPB reserve and walk the half mile back along the road to view.

In NW Derbyshire, the singing male WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER remains on territory at Arnfield Reservoir, favouring the trees by the footbridge at SK 014 976. Take the footpath beyond the fishery to access the small nature reserve.

The male BLACK-HEADED BUNTING remains on Fair Isle (Shetland) and the adult ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Ardnave on Islay (Argyll)

The GREAT WHITE EGRET remains at Denge Marsh, Dungeness RSPB (Kent) whilst SPOONBILLS have had another good breeding season in North Norfolk, with up to 16 birds including juveniles currently visiting Cley NWT Reserve.

A FERRUGINOUS DUCK is present for a second day at East Holme Heath in Dorset favouring a pool just off of Holme Lane, whilst in South Devon, two juvenile BEARDED TITS remain in reeds in front of the hide at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham, on the Exe Estuary.

A few ROSEATE TERNS can still be found away from Northumberland breeding grounds, with 1-2 at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk) and 1-2 at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset).

In NORTHERN IRELAND, both PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVERS remain on the Myroe Levels (County Londonderry), whilst in County Wexford, no less than 8 BEARDED TITS remain in the reedbed at Lingstown, at the west end of Tacumshin.

In the South of France, the near-adult RED-FOOTED BOOBY was still present this morning at the Lac de Saint Croix, now favouring the boats in the small harbour of les Salles-sur Verdon. It did however fly high south at 1115 hours this morning. In Norway, the adult GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL has relocated to Vardo Harbour in Varanger.