WAXWINGS streaming South

With temperatures plunging over much of this past week, scores of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS have been moving south, with large numbers reaching the South Coast and infiltrating the Midlands and central Wales.


As far as vagrants are concerned, Conwy's female DESERT WHEATEAR remains the highlight, still showing well on the north side of Rhyl Golf Course today, with 1 of 2 LITTLE BUNTINGS in with 60 or so Reed Buntings at Rosenannon Downs (Cornwall) and a newly-discovered DUSKY WARBLER along the coastal track west of the West Bexington (Dorset) car park, midway between the nature reserve entrance and the Mere. A further DUSKY WARBLER, initially seen on Monday, was again seen and heard at Swanvale NR today, at the north end of Swanpool, Falmouth (Cornwall).

A LESSER YELLOWLEGS was still to be found at Alkborough Flats (North Lincs) this morning, with the other wintering birds remaining at Aldcliffe Marsh (Lancs) and in Ernesettle Creek, Plymouth (South Devon). Meanwhile, the LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was again on the Tack Piece at Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs)

The adult drake Blue-winged Teal of likely captive origin was again at Lamb Island, on the River Dee, near Threave (Dumfries & Galloway) in recent days, the same bird that spent the summer in Clyde and Kinross.

A first-year Glossy Ibis was present for at least its 4th day at Ham Wall RSPB (Somerset).

Long-tailed Ducks include the juveniles at Rutland Water (Leics) and on Lade GP (Kent) and Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks), the female at Pugney's Country Park (South Yorks) and the drake at William Girling Reservoir (London).

The first-winter Red-necked Grebe remains on Queen Mother Reservoir (Berks), with Slavonian Grebes at Rutland Water (Leics), Carsington Water (Derbyshire), Scotney GP (East Sussex) and Priory Country Park, Bedford (Beds). A juvenile Black-throated Diver was new in at Dungeness New Diggings (Kent) whilst Great Northern Divers continue at Chasewater (Staffs), Shustoke Reservoir (Warks) and Horrock's Flash, Wigan (Gtr Manchester).

Portland Harbour (Dorset) was very productive today with a Black Guillemot seen, 10 Great Northern Divers, 14 Black-necked Grebes and a Red-necked Grebe, whilst Shell Bay near Sandbanks, Poole, yielded an astonishing 52 wintering Black-necked Grebes.

In IRELAND, the AMERICAN COOT remains for a fourth day at Murloch, just south of Ballyconneely (County Galway), with the juvenile drake SURF SCOTER off Dungarvan (County Waterford) and BLUE-WINGED TEAL at Ballylongford.

Additionally, a very late BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was seen today at Black Rock Strand (County Kerry).