Week Commencing Monday 4th December 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 4^th December 2023

4^th December

The now regular drake Green-winged Teal seen at Campfield remained until 31^st December 2006 it was the 14^th Cumbrian record, a Black-throated Diver was seen off Silecroft in 2014, a Bittern was seen at Elterwater in 1999 , a Great White Egret was found at Campfield Marsh in 2016 it was approximately the 35^th Cumbrian record, a storm driven juvenile Grey Phalarope was at South Walney in 2011 it was the 39^th Cumbrian record since 1974, a Shore Lark found near the summit of Helvellyn in 2016 was the 24^th Cumbrian record and the 29^th individual bird, a Richard’s Pipit found on Walney Island in 2001 was also seen on 13th December 2001 and again on 18th December 2001 it was the 21^st Cumbrian record.

5^th 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 11^th 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 3^rd January 2014 it was the 27^th 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 23^rd Cumbrian record and the 24^th individual bird.

6^th  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 21^st March 1993, another Iceland Gull this time unaged was seen near Parton in 2013 it remained until 15^th December and a Little Auk was seen off Biggar Bank in 2014.

7^th December

Three Great White Egrets were counted in the Lyth Valley in 2016, an adult Sabine’s Gull was seen off Selker in 2006 this was the 25^th Cumbrian record, the Great Grey Shrike found on Dalton Crags on 20^th November 2014 was seen again on this day in 2014 and wintered, it was last seen on 6^th April 2015 and an Olive-backed Pipit was found on Muncaster Estates in 2022 it was the first Cumbrian record.

8^th 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.

9^th December

A drake American Wigeon was seen on Campfield Marsh in 1995 it stayed overnight it was the fourth Cumbrian record and the third individual bird, a drake Red-crested Pochard was on Windermere in 1994 it was the 11^th Cumbrian record and the 15^th individual bird, the female Ring-necked Duck found on Bassenthwaite Lake on 2^nd 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 2^nd January 1985, it was the eighth Cumbrian record since 1974, a Great Grey Shrike was found at Culgaith (NY62E) in 2012 it was the 26^th Cumbrian record since 1997 and a Shore Lark at Grune Point in 1991 wintered until 5^th April 1992 it was the 17^th Cumbrian record and the 22^nd individual bird.

10^th December

An immature Iceland Gull was found at Longtown in 2008 it was the 12^th Cumbrian record of the 21^st Century, a Shore Lark at Grune Point in 1992 remained until 31^st January 1993 it was thought to be the returning individual from 5^th April 1992 and it was the 18^th Cumbrian record and the 22^nd individual bird.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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