Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 5th December 2022
5th December
A flock of 23 Tundra Bean Geese at Cargo in 2011 were assumed to be a part of the initial group of 76 found at Black Dyke, Silloth on 25th November 2011, this group of 23 birds remained here until 11th December, two Great White Egrets frequented the Humphrey Head/Kents Bank area in 2009 this was the tenth Cumbrian record also a third bird was seen at Meathop on this date, a Rough-legged Buzzard was found near Santon (NY00W) in 2013 it remained in the area until 3rd January 2014 it was the 27th Cumbrian record since 1974, a male Firecrest was found at the Glaxo works site at Ulverston in 2008, a Water Pipit was found at South Walney in 1983, a male Lapland Bunting was found at Cavendish Dock remaining until 13th December 1989 it was the 23rd Cumbrian record and the 24th individual bird.
6th December
A Black-necked Grebe was seen off Conishead Priory, Leven estuary in 2005, a first-winter Iceland Gull was seen sporadically at Tarns Dub in 1992 until 21st March 1993, another Iceland Gull this time unaged was seen near Parton in 2013 it remained until 15th December, these were the 28th and 67th Cumbrian Records, a Little Auk was seen off Biggar Bank in 2014.
7th December
Three Great White Egrets were counted in the Lyth Valley in 2016, they are now seen regularly in the south of the county, an adult Sabine’s Gull was seen off Selker in 2006 this was the 25th Cumbrian record, the Great Grey Shrike found on Dalton Crags on 20th November 2014 was seen again on this day in 2014 and wintered, it was last seen on 6th April 2015.
8th December
An immature Sabine’s Gull at South Walney in 1983 was the sixth Cumbrian record, a Little Auk was seen off Workington in 2011 and a Firecrest was located at Calder Bridge (NY00M) in 2011.
9th December
A drake American Wigeon was seen on Campfield Marsh in 1995 it remained overnight and was the fourth Cumbrian record and the third individual bird, a drake Red-crested Pochard on Windermere in 1994 was the 11th Cumbrian record and the 15th individual bird, the female Ring-necked Duck found on Bassenthwaite Lake on 2nd November 2008 was last seen on this day in 2008, an immature Grey Phalarope was found at Grange-over-Sands in 1984 it remained until 2nd January 1985, it was the eighth Cumbrian record since 1974, a Great Grey Shrike was found at Culgaith (NY62E) in 2012 it was the 26th Cumbrian record since 1997 and a Shore Lark at Grune Point in 1991 wintered until 5th April 1992 it was the 17th Cumbrian record and the 22nd individual bird.
10th December
An immature Iceland Gull was found at Longtown in 2008 it was the 12th Cumbrian record of the 21st Century, a Shore Lark at Grune Point in 1992 remained until 31st January 1993 it was thought to be the returning individual from 5th April 1992 and it was the 18th Cumbrian record and the 22nd individual bird.
11th December
A drake Green-winged Teal seen on floodwater on the outskirts of Millom in 2010 was the 18th Cumbrian record, a drake Ruddy Duck was seen at Hodbarrow in 2010 it was thought to be the returning individual from January 2010, three Bitterns were counted at Siddick Pond in 2013, a Shore Lark was seen on South Walney in 1966 it wintered until February 1967 and was the 11th Cumbrian record, a male Firecrest found at Westfield Point in 2007 was also seen on 13th December.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
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