Week Commencing Monday 6th November 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 6^th November 2023

6^th November

A white morph Snow Goose at Mosser in 2010 was considered to be an escape, a 1^st CY Pied-billed Grebe was found at South Walney in 2020 it remained on site until the 8^th November and was the first for Cumbria, a male Pallas’s Warbler was caught and ringed at South Walney in 1995 (C. Raven) it was the third Cumbrian record and the fourth individual bird.

7^th November

A Black-throated Diver was seen off the Piel Bar, Walney in 2013, two Long-billed Dowitchers remained at  Anthorn until 29th November 1987, presumably including the earlier individual found in October, this constituted the third Cumbrian record, a Firecrest was found at Roanhead, Sandscale in 2008, and a Lapland Bunting at South Walney in 1990 was presumed to be the same individual that was found on 24th September and seen again on 7th, 22nd and 23rd October and was the 25^th Cumbrian record and the 29^th individual bird.

8^th November

A Cattle Egret was seen at Fell End NR in 2020 it was the 14^th Cumbrian record, a Great White Egret found at Campfield Marsh remained until 15^th November 2015, a Red-rumped Swallow was found at Port Carlisle in 2006 it was the second Cumbrian record, a Cetti’s Warbler settled in at Park End Moss remaining until 20^th December 2021, it was the 19^th Cumbrian record, a Hume’s Warbler was at South Walney in 1982 it remained overnight and is the only Cumbrian record to date, Water Pipits returned toWalney Island in 2003 and 2011, the latter at Biggar Bank was presumed to be a returning bird from the previous winter.

9^th November

A white morph Snow Goose at Drigg in 2010 was probably the same bird found at Mosser on 6^th November 2010 and still considered to be an escape, drake American Wigeons were seen in the Ravenglass area up to the 16^th November in 1997 and at Bowness-on-Solway remained until the next day in 2000 these were the sixth and seventh Cumbrian records, a female Ruddy Duck was seen on Derwent Water in 2014, due to the nationwide cull it was the last known wild bird recorded in the county, a Great White Egret on Burgh Marsh in 2015 was approximately the 30^th Cumbrian record, and single Great Grey Shrikes were found at Newton Rigg College, Penrith in 1998, on Humphrey Head in 2003 and a returning bird for its second winter to Dalton Crags (SD57N) in 2007.

10^th November

A Snow Goose of unknown origin commuted between Anthorn and Bowness-on-Solway in 2015 remained until 31^st January 2016, a drake Green-winged Teal returned to Campfield Marsh for its fifth consecutive winter in 2008, it was the 14^th Cumbrian record, the Brothers Water Ferruginous Duck re-appeared in 1993 for its fifth consecutive winter, remaining until 18^th April 1994, a Great White Egret was at Campfield Marsh until 12^th November 2016, a Cetti’s Warbler was caught and ringed at Watchtree NR (NY35) in 2019 it was the seventh Cumbrian record, a Pallas’s Warbler found at Thwaite Flat, Barrow-in-Furness in 2000 remained until 12^th November it was the fourth Cumbrian record and the fifth individual bird and finally a Firecrest was seen at South Walney in 1999.

11^th November

A female Isabelline Wheatear was shot near Allonby in 1887, this bird was the first British example of this species, remaining so until the second bird was recorded at Winterton, Norfolk on 28^th May 1977, it remains the only Cumbrian record, a Richard’s Pipit at South Walney in 1987 was the 13^th Cumbrian record, a single Water Pipit on Walney Island in 2011 was joined by a second bird on 11^th and 24^th November, one remaining until 30^th November a Common (Mealy) Redpoll was seen at Bowness-on-Solway in 2003 and a Little Bunting found at Siddick Pond in 1948 was the first Cumbrian record.

12^th November

The Greater Yellowlegs found at Carr Beds on 15^th October 1994 was seen there again on this day and the next day.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

Copyright © 2023