Week Commencing Monday 15th January 2024

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 15th January 2024

15th January

A drake Green-winged Teal was found at New Sandsfield in 2023, a Bittern was found at Longtown GP in 1985, a first-winter Iceland Gull found in Whitehaven in 2002 frequented the harbour area until 19th April 2002 and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Westfield Point, Furness in 2023, the first sighting in Cumbria since one seen at Talkin Tarn in 2015.

16th January

An adult Egyptian Goose was found at Rockcliffe in 2007 it was the 12th Cumbrian record since 1988, the Armathwaite first-winter drake Lesser Scaup found on 12th January 2003 was re-found nearby at Castle Carrock reservoir on this day, a red-head Smew frequented Siddick Pond in 2017 until 15th April and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found in Kendal in 1994.

17th January

No records for this day!

18th January

A female Red-crested Pochard was seen at Greenodd (SD38) in 1995 it was the 12th Cumbrian record, the long staying drake Ring-necked Duck at Killington in 1993 visited nearby Whinfell Tarn on this day and the next, it was the tenth Cumbrian record, the first-winter drake Lesser Scaup seen on  12th and 16th January 2003 appeared on Talkin Tarn and remained intermittently until 20th February 2003, a Black-throated Diver was seen off Whitehaven in 2004, a Bittern was seen at Siddick Pond in 2002, first-winter Iceland Gulls were seen at Moss Bay, Workington in 1997 and at Sellafield in 2004.

19th January

A Black-necked Grebe was seen on Windermere in 2007 it was the 14th Cumbrian record this century a first-winter Glaucous Gull in the harbour at Workington in 2017 remained in the area until 5th February and a Lapland Bunting was seen on Green Road, Duddon estuary in 1991 it was the 27th Cumbrian record.

20th January

A Black-throated Diver was seen off Biggar Bank in 2009, a Rough-legged Buzzard frequented the Tindale/Denton Fell areas until 25th January 2006 it was the 22nd Cumbrian record since 1974, a Crane remained at Wolsty until 25th January in 1980 it was the third Cumbrian record, a good showing of first-winter Iceland Gulls with one that wintered in the Tarns Dub area until 27th March 1991, two at Sellafield in 2000 and one on Parton beach in 2002, a Great Grey Shrike was located at Kershope Forest (NY58) in 2008 and a Shore Lark first seen in the Helvellyn range on 4th December 2016 was relocated on Nethermost Pike this day and the 21st.

21st January

A female Ring-necked Duck was found on Siddick Pond in 2017 it was the 35th Cumbrian record and only the third record of a duck, a drake took up residence at Tindale Tarn (NY65E) until 30th January 2019 and this was the 36th Cumbrian record, an inland adult Iceland Gull seen near the Low Wood Hotel, Windermere in 1994 was a particularly nice record, usually immatures birds are the norm, a Great Grey Shrike remained in the Soddy Gap area (NY03R) until 28th March 2017.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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