Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 18th December 2023
18th December
The drake Ring-necked Duck first found on Ullswater on 24th October 2006 was seen there again on this day in 2006, a Great White Egret frequented the Kents Bank/Humphrey Head area in 2011 until 11th February 2012, a Crane was seen at Newton Arlosh in 2005 it was the 26th Cumbrian record, a Siberian Chiffchaff was claimed at Dalston in 2000 but no description was submitted therefore no accepted records existed up to this date and a Water Pipit seen at South Walney in 1981 was the sixth Cumbrian record.
19th December
A Great White Egret at Anthorn in 2016 was probably the same bird that was first seen at Campfield on 4th December 2016, first-winter Iceland Gulls were found on Cavendish Dock in 2007 and on the pools at Soddy Gap (NY03R) in 2008 and a Lapland Bunting seen at Borwick Rails in 1987 was the 19th Cumbrian record.
20th December
A Bittern was found at Nethertown (NY00) in 1988 it remained until 28th December, a Great White Egret was seen on a small tarn near Great Burney (SD261859) on 20th December 2020 and a Richard’s Pipit lingered at South Walney in 1980 until 1st February 1981 it was the eighth Cumbrian record.
21st December
A Bittern was seen at Siddick Pond on this day in 1986, it remained until 27th February 1987 and an adult Iceland Gull was seen at South Walney in 1963, it was the eighth Cumbrian record.
22nd December
A Bittern first found at Siddick Pond on 30th October 2010 was last seen on this day, a first-winter Iceland Gull seen on Flusco refuse tip near Penrith in 1990 wintered until 14th February 1991 and a Water Pipit was seen on the favoured fields on Walney Island on ten dates from 25th October 2014 until this date in 2014.
23rd December
A Bittern was seen on Tindale Tarn in 2012, an adult Ring-billed Gull was found at Rampside in 1984 it was the second Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull on Ullswater in 1990 was presumably the same bird seen at Flusco refuse tip (see above) and up to four Water Pipits were to be seen in the flooded fields at Biggar Bank in 2009.
24th December
Unusually, a first-winter Barred Warbler was photographed attending a bird table in Kendal in 1990 it was the 19th Cumbrian record and a Richard’s Pipit at Sandscale Haws in 1986 was still present the next day it was the 11th Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
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