NORTH RON on fire

North Ronaldsay on Orkney really is the place to be at the moment with a daily dose of sumptuous rarities........


Today it attracted the first BOOTED WARBLER of the year (very early date guys, guess you've checked for SYKES'), with at least 4 Barred Warblers and the juvenile Red-backed Shrike still present - and a new Icterine Warbler and a Corncrake

Further south, not that much happening despite premium conditions, with a BARRED WARBLER at Sea Palling (Norfolk), a HOOPOE at East Weares, Portland (Dorset) and more Scandinavian HONEY BUZZARDS drifting in. CATTLE EGRETS were at Steart (Somerset) and Elmley Marshes (Kent) whilst what is probably the regular reappearing adult summer BONAPARTE'S GULL was at Whitburn Steel (County Durham)

It was a Red Letter day for IRELAND with a first-year FRANKLIN'S GULL at Gormanstown (County Meath) and an adult BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Ballinrannig (County Kerry) - both species new to the year