Week Commencing Monday 27th November 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 27^th November 2023

27^th November

A Taiga Bean Goose seen on Rockcliffe Marsh in 2000 this was the fourth Cumbrian record since 1993, a Slavonian Grebe drifted in on the tide on the Kent Estuary at Arnside in2019, a male Bearded Tit was at Lakeside, Windermere in 1994 it was the fifth Cumbrian record since 1978 and a Siberian Chiffchaff returned to Longtown Sewage Works remaining until 2^nd December 2020.

28^th November

Six Tundra Bean Geese were seen in the Lyth Valley near Brigsteer in 2011, two Bitterns were seen at Siddick Pond in 2012, an immature Sabine’s Gull seen at South Walney in 1980 was the fifth Cumbrian record, a Great White Egret was seen at Edenhall in 2020 it was the 48^th Cumbrian record, a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Kershope Forest in 2016 it was the 34^th Cumbrian record since 1997, two Shore Larks were found on Grune Point in 1976 these constituted the 13^th Cumbrian record and were the 13^th and 14^th individual birds and a Firecrest was seen on several dates at Roanhead, Sandscale up to 12^th December 2002.

29^th November

A Cetti’s Warbler was found onCreephaw Marsh from 19^th to 29^th November 2020 it was the 12^th Cumbrian record, two Lapland Buntings were seen at South Walney in 1990 these included the individual previously seen on 7^th November, this was the 26^th Cumbrian record and the 30^th individual bird.

30^th November

Single drake Green-winged Teals returned to the Ravenglass estuary for a second winter in 2002 and at Hodbarrow remaining until 14th December 2003, these were the  sixth and ninth Cumbrian records, a long staying female Ring-necked Duck was seen on Bassenthwaite Lake in 2007 it remained until 9^th April 2008 it was the 34^th Cumbrian record, a Black-necked Grebe was seen off Foulney in 1999 it was the 11^th Cumbrian record since 1997, at least two Water Pipits were present on Bassenthwaite Marsh in 1989 remaining there until 31^st March 1990, this was the 16^th Cumbrian record and a male Lapland Bunting was at South Walney in 1982 it was still there the following day and was the 11^th Cumbrian record.

1^st December

A Black-necked Grebe was seen on Longtown Ponds in 1998 it remained until 5^th December, an odd record of a Turtle Dove at Eskmeals in 1998 must have been a surprise, an even bigger surprise was a Nutcracker that was flushed on the beach at South Walney in 1979 it was the second Cumbrian record and a Firecrest was found in the central marsh at South Walney in 2006.

2^nd December

The Red-breasted Goose that was frequented Whitrigg and Cardurnock on 16^th November was last seen on this day in 2012 it was the 11^th County record, two Tundra Bean Geese roamed between Ravenstown and Old Park (SD37P) until 31^st December 2011 this was the 12^th Cumbrian record of the 21^st Century, a Little Auk was seen off Hilpsford Point, Walney in 2017, the Great Grey Shrike found at Soddy Gap on 5^th November 2016 was still present on this day, an immature male Lapland Bunting at South Walney in 1983 was seen again on 4^th December and was the 12^th Cumbrian record.

3^rd December

A Ross’s Goose frequented Cardurnock, Rockcliffe and Skinburness Marshes in 2002 until 9^th February 2003 it was placed in Cat ‘D’ by the BBRC, excluded from the British List but promoted to Cat ‘A’ in December 2021 becoming an armchair tick for some and two drake Green-winged Teals were seen together at Hodbarrow they remained until 4^th December 2011 and constituted the 22^nd Cumbrian record.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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