Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 6th March 2023
6th March
The Red-breasted Goose first seen on Burgh Marsh on 25th January 1993 was last seen on this day it was the third Cumbrian record and another Red-breasted Goose frequented the English Solway from 2007 it was seen on Skinburness Marsh (NY15H) in 2008 and it was the ninth Cumbrian record, a Ring-necked Parakeet was found at Stoneraise Farm, Wigton in 2013, two Cetti’s Warblers were seen at Baycliff in 2021 this constituted the 13th Cumbrian record, a Firecrest frequented Westfield Point, Barrow-in-Furness until 9th March 2008 and a Water Pipit was seen at Baycliff in 2021.
7th March
A Black-necked Grebe was seen from the Groyne Hide at South Walney in 1999 and a Great White Egret seen at Ayside (SD38B) in 2011 was the 16th Cumbrian record of this decade.
8th March
A Great Grey Shrike was seen on Dalton Crags (SD57N) it remained until 9th April 2011 it was the sixth Cumbrian record of the decade and a Firecrest was seen on North Walney in 1997.
9th March
An adult Red-breasted Goose presumed to be the returning individual last recorded as first-winter on Rockcliffe Marsh on 19th April 1992 returned to Drumburgh remaining until 26th March 1994 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, a drake American Wigeon found on Green Road Marsh, Millom remained until 15th April 1989 was the first Cumbrian record, the drake Green-winged Teal first seen on Bassenthwaite Lake on 6th February 2005 was last seen on this day, it was the 13h Cumbrian record and a Great White Egret was found at Bardsea in 2014.
10th March
A Bittern wintered at Siddick Pond until this day in 2015, a Great Grey Shrike at Dalton Crags (SD57N) in 2010 was the first Cumbrian record of the decade and up to three Water Pipits remained on Campfield Marsh until 30th March 2003 and a single Water Pipit wintering in the favoured fields at Biggar Bank was last noted on this day in 2012.
11th March
A Richardson’s Cackling Goose was seen at Whitrigg (NY25I) it remained until 12th March 2016 and was the second Cumbrian record, a Balearic Shearwater was seen off South Walney in 1982 it was the first Cumbrian record, an Avocet was seen flying north into the Duddon estuary from North Walney in 1995, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Thwaite Head (SD39K) in 2012 it was the first Cumbrian record of the decade and a Woodlark on Cavendish Dock in 1993 was the fourth Cumbrian record since 1933.
12th March
An Egyptian Goose found at Halforth, Kent estuary remained until 23rd August 2007, it was probably the 2006 bird returning for its second summer here, also the 13th Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck that wintered in the Kendal area in 1992/93 called in at Fisher Tarn intermittently until 20th April 1993 it was probably the 11th Cumbrian record, a White Stork of unknown origin was seen at Upperby, Carlisle in 2010, an unaged Iceland Gull was seen at Micklethwaite, Wigton (NY25V) in 2015, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was located at Ickenthwaite (SD38J) in 1995 it was the 11th Cumbrian record of the 90’s and the fourth record in the 90’s for the observer and a Chough was seen flying with Jackdaws at Holmescales Quarry (SD58N) in 2010 it was the eighth Cumbrian record since 1990.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
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