Starting to hot up.....and Species List is now 412

With a touch of east in the wind, newly arrived LANCEOLATED WARBLER and PECHORA PIPIT on Out Skerries (Shetland) this afternoon take the total of birds recorded in Britain and Ireland this year to 412 species...


Other additions during the past week included the second-earliest ever RED-EYED VIREO on Unst (Shetland) and an AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT on North Uist (Outer Hebrides)

Lots and lots of Nearctic waders scattered across the UK (and Ireland) including the two long-staying SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS (on Tresco and at Lodmoor), a juvenile WESTERN SANDPIPER at Meols/Hoylake (Wirral) and at least two SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS (in Ceredigion and in East Lothian). No less than 9 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at various sites, 2 different WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, over 25 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a single LESSER YELLOWLEGS.

Two BLYTH'S REED WARBLERS discovered this afternoon (on Unst and on Sanday) plus first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn at Holme (Norfolk), where also a Red-breasted Flycatcher

Looks set to be an interesting weekend......