Week Commencing Monday 19th February 2024

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 19^th February 2024

19^th February

A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Port Carlisle in 2023 it remained overnight, it was approximately the 33^rd Cumbrian record, a Black-throated Diver was seen off Nethertown in 2014, a Bittern was seen at Mere Tarn in 2014, a first-winter Iceland Gull was found at Workington harbour in 1997, a Great Grey Shrike was found at High Birk in the Grizedale Forest it remained until 24th February 2004 it was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1994, a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found at Haverthwaite in 2002 and three Shore Larks first seen at South Walney on 8^th January 1977 were last seen on this day.

20^th February

A drake Green-winged Teal was found on Ravenstown Pond (SD37M) in 2014 it was the 27^th Cumbrian record and was probably the same drake that was found near Lindal-in-Furness on 1^st January 2014, the first-winter drake Lesser Scaup first found on Talkin Tarn on 18^th January 2003 was last seen on this day, a Bittern was seen on Bassenthwaite Marsh in 1985.

21^st February

An adult Snow Goose was seen on Campfield Marsh in 2023, there was no reason to consider it a wild bird, Great Grey Shrikes were found at Long Moss (NY55) in 1998 and at Dalton Crags (SD57N) in 2009 these were the second and 17^th Cumbrian records since 1994.

22^nd February

A Taiga Bean Goose was found in a mixed flock of grey geese at Langwathby in 1995 it was the second Cumbrian record since 1993, a drake American Wigeon was seen in Haverigg harbour from Hodbarrow sea-wall it remained until 25^th February 2014, it was the 11^th Cumbrian record and an Avocet found on the River Bela in 1991 was still present the next day.

23^rd February

A Tundra Bean Goose was found at Whitrigg in 2023, it was the fourth Cumbrian record since 2013, an Egyptian Goose frequented the Haverbrack Pond (SD48V) area until 1^st April 2009 it was the 17^th Cumbrian record and a Water Pipit was seen on Walney Island in 2012.

24^th February

A drake Green-winged Teal frequented the Ravenglass area remaining until 13^th March 2002, it was the sixth Cumbrian record, a Black-throated Diver was seen off Sellafield in 2012, four Black-necked Grebes were seen on Bassenthwaite Lake in 2002 and an adult Iceland Gull was seen on Parton beach in 1998 was the 53^rd Cumbrian record.

25^th February

A first-winter Snow Goose of unknown origin was located in a Pink-footed Goose flock at Calvo in 2023, it remained overnight it was only the fifth possible Cumbrian record of a wild bird this century and a Red Kite was seen at Woodland Hall (SD2499) in 2006 pre-dating the Grizedale releases.

Ronnie Irving