Week Commencing Monday 23rd October 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 23rd October 2023

23^rd October

A drake Ferruginous Duck stayed overnight at Longtown Ponds in 1987, it was the first Cumbrian record, a Rough-legged Buzzard at Fellfoot, Kentmere in 1989 was the 15^th Cumbrian record since 1974, an adult Grey Phalarope was on Cavendish Dock until 26^th October in 1989 it was the 15^th Cumbrian record since 1974, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua at South Walney in 2012 was the 50^th Cumbrian record and approximately the 330^th individual bird since 1976, a late Hobby was seen near Whitehaven in 1982, a Yellow-browed Warbler at South Walney in 2010 (C. Raven) was the 32^nd Cumbrian record and the 34^th individual bird, a first-winter Barred Warbler stayed overnight at South Walney in 1988 was the 15^th Cumbrian record, a Lapland Bunting that remained at South Walney until 5^th November in 1987 was the 17^th Cumbrian record.

24^th October

Five Sooty Shearwaters seen off South Walney in 1984 constituted the 20^th Cumbrian record and the 31st to 35^th individuals, a drake Ring-necked Duck on Ullswater until 28^th October in 2006 the 29^th Cumbrian record but because they are quite mobile it was thought to be only the sixth individual bird,  a Great White Egret was at Campfield Marsh until 26^th October in 2014, late Hobbies were found at Workington in 2004 and an adult at Campfeld in 2016, a Woodlark settled in on the old slag banks at Ulverston remaining until 1^st November in 2000 this was the sixth Cumbrian record, a Yellow-browed Warbler at North Scale, Walney in 2008 was the 26^th Cumbrian record and 28^th individual bird, a first-winter Mealy Redpoll, a scarce winter visitor, was at South Walney in 2013 it was only the second record of the decade.

25^th October

A 2CY Richardson’s Cackling Goose was located at Whitrigg (NY25I) it was still present on the next day in 2012 and it was the first Cumbrian record, the juvenile Black Stork that was taken into care and released at Hallbankgate on the 24^th October 1985 turned up on this day at South Walney with an adult that left the same day, the juvenile remained until 1^st November in 1985 it was the second Cumbrian record and involved the first and second individuals, a juvenile  Pectoral Sandpiper remained on Walney until 29th October in 2003 was the 21^st Cumbrian record and the 20^th individual bird, a Red-necked Phalarope found on the Irt estuary in 1983 was the 28^th Cumbrian record and the 29^th individual bird, a Grey Phalarope seen at Rampside (SD26) in 1992 was the 21^st Cumbrian record since 1974, a Hobby was at Anthorn in 2016, a Firecrest was at Waterside in 1999, a Richard’s Pipit at South Walney in 2006 was the 24^th Cumbrian record and a wintering Water Pipit was recorded at Roa Island on ten dates up to 22^nd December in 2014.

26^th October

A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was seen out of its usual habitat at Biggar Bank in 2014 it was  the 30^th Cumbrian record, a Grey Phalarope at Silloth in 2008 was the 33^rd Cumbrian record since 1974 and four Bearded Tits were at Siddick Pond in 1990 this was the third Cumbrian record since 1978.

27^th October

 A Todd’s Canada Goose was found at Cardurnock (NY15U) in 2012 it was seen sporadically until 10^th April 2013 and was the first Cumbrian record, two Great White Egrets increasingly regular were seen at Kent Bank in 2011, an adult American Golden Plover at Longcroft (NY25E) in 2012 was the seventh Cumbrian record, a Grey Phalarope at South Walney until 28^th October in 2004 was the 27^th Cumbrian record and the 30th individual bird, a late Hobby was on North Walney in 1991, a flock of seven Bearded Tits at South Walney until 28^th October in 1996 was the fourth Cumbrian record since 1978 and a Lapland Bunting at South Walney in 2007) was the 35^th Cumbrian record and the 38^th individual bird.

28^th October

A drake American Wigeon remained at North Plain farm until 30^th November in 2002 it was the eighth Cumbrian record, a Rough-legged Buzzard was on Carrock Fell (NY33) in 1994 was the 16^th Cumbrian record since 1974, a Corncrake was on Walney Island in 2005, a Daurian (Isabelline) Shrike was caught and ringed at South Walney in 2016 it was the first Cumbrian record, a Shore Lark found on the summit of Blencathra in 1971 was only the 12^th Cumbrian record, a Cetti’s Warbler at North Scale, Walney in 2012 was the second Cumbrian record and a Richard’s Pipit at South Walney in 2001 was considered the same bird that was found there on the 25^th September.

29^th October

A drake Green-winged Teal at Soddy Gap (NY0732) in 2010 was the 17^th Cumbrian record, unusually an Avocet wintered in the Campfield area from this day in 2015 until the 25^th April 2016, a juvenile Sabine’s Gull seen at Campfield Marsh and then Biggar Bank in 2011 constituted the 32^nd and 33^rd Cumbrian records and possibly concerned the same individual bird, the 27^th, Hoopoes were found at Moor Row (NY01) in 1994, and one that lingered in Dovedale (NY31W) until 5^th November 1996 these were the third and fourth Cumbrian records of the 90’s, a Ring-necked Parakeet was noted at Kirkby Thore (NY62H) in 2016, a Dusky Warbler at Westfield Point (SD26I) remained until 1^st November in 2004 it was the first Cumbrian record and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Bluegate, Tindale in 2009 was the 28^th Cumbrian record and 30^th individual bird.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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