Week Commencing Monday 8th January 2024

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 8th January 2024

8^th January

Two Tundra Bean Geese were seen at Rickerby, Carlisle in 2012 a remnant of the large numbers recorded the previous November, a drake Green-winged Teal was at Campfield Marsh in 2006 was presumed to be the same returning bird from 2005, it was the 4^th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull took up residence in the Whitehaven/Parton/Workington harbour area until 3^rd March 2012 it was approximately the 69^th Cumbrian record, a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Dalton Crags (SD57N) remaining until 19^th March 2006 it was the 13t Cumbrian record since 1997, three Shore Larks remained at South Walney until 19^th February 1977 this was the 14^th Cumbrian record, two Siberian Chiffchaffs were seen at Longtown, they remained until 10^th February 2020 and are the first accepted Cumbrian records and a Firecrest was found at Siddick Pond in 2017.

9^th January

A drake Ruddy Duck was seen at Hodbarrow in 2011 and a Black-necked Grebe was seen off South Walney in 1999 and a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Long Marton (NY62S) it remained until 28^th January 2011 and it was the 24^th Cumbrian record since 1997.

10^th January

A Black-necked Grebe seen off Foulney in 1999 was thought to be the same bird as one previously seen off South Walney, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen in Wreay Woods (NY45) in 2000 it was the 20^th Cumbrian record since 1991 and up to four Water Pipits remained at South Walney until 12^th April 2016.

11^th January

A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Newbiggin viaduct it remained until 19^th January 2004 and it was the tenth Cumbrian record, a Red Kite stayed overnight at Wilton (NY01) in 1994 it was the 16^th Cumbrian record and pre-dated the Grizedale releases, a first-winter Iceland Gull was found at South Walney in 1997 and a third-winter Iceland Gull was found at Crosby-on-Eden in 2012, a Ring-necked Parakeet frequented Bowness-on-Windermere in 2009 and a Water Pipit found at Haweswater in 1987 was the tenth Cumbrian record.

 12^th January

Two drake Red-crested Pochards were seen at Tindale Tarn in 1992 these constituted the ninth Cumbrian record and the 12^th and 13^th individual birds, a first-winter drake Lesser Scaup was found on the River Eden at Armathwaite remaining until 14^th January 2003 it was the first Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull was seen at Sellafield in 1994 it was the 39^th Cumbrian record and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen on five dates at South Walney up to 19^th March 2000.

13^th  January

The first-winter Black Brant first found at Rampside (SD26N) in December 2012 was relocated on this day in 2013 and remained in the area until 12^th April 2013 it was the first Cumbrian record, a white morph adult Snow Goose was seen on Campfield Marsh in 2010 was not thought to be of wild origin, a drake Smew was found on Derwent Water in 2018, it remained until 1^st April, a Grey Phalarope was seen at Parton in 2007 and was the 30^th Cumbrian record since 1974, a first-winter Iceland Gull frequented the refuse tip at South Walney in 2008 it was the 63^rd Cumbrian record, a Shore Lark was found near the Coastguard Station, Walney in 2004 it remained until 16^th  January and a Water Pipit was seen on Tummerhill Marsh, Walney in 2009.

14^th January

An Egyptian Goose was seen at High Fairbanks (SD49) before moving to Windermere the next day, it was the first Cumbrian record of the 90’s, a drake Green-winged Teal was seen on Campfield Marsh remaining until 15^th January 2005, it was the 12^th Cumbrian record, two Black-necked Grebes were seen off Walney Island in 2012, it was thought that up to four Bitterns wintered at Siddick Pond in 2006 and now a regular sight in South Cumbria a Great White Egret was seen at Kents Bank in 2012.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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