The August 2013 issue of British Birds contains the second part of the Report on Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 2004–2007.
This part deals with the relevant passerine species recorded during 2004–07. Non-passerines were treated in part 1 (in the July issue of BB). For many species this report marks the 50th year of systematic data gathering. This dataset provides a unique insight into trends that may not (yet) be apparent elsewhere and also supports other data sources (such as the Rare Breeding Birds Panel reports) in revealing changes in population levels migration patterns, both at home and abroad. From the beginning of 2006, several species that have traditionally been considered as national rarities were included in the Scarce Migrants project for the first time: Red-rumped Swallow, Greenish, Radde’s, Dusky and Subalpine Warblers, Red-throated Pipit Arctic Redpoll and Rustic Bunting. For these species, the report focuses on the two years (2006–07) since they ceased to be treated as national rarities by BBRC, although a summary of occurrences since 1958 is given. Of these species, Red-rumped Swallow and Greenish Warbler appeared in above-average numbers in both 2006 and 2007; conversely, the numbers of both Red-throated Pipits and Rustic Buntings were particularly poor.