Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 26th February 2024
26th February
The wintering drake Green-winged Teal returned in 2004 for its fourth consecutive winter in the Eskmeals/Hodbarrow area, it was seen at Newbiggin viaduct on this day in 2005, it was the 11th Cumbrian record, a Sooty Shearwater was seen offshore at South Walney in 1982 it was the tenth Cumbrian record and the 11th individual bird, a Bittern was seen at Siddick Pond in 2006, Iceland Gulls were represented with a 3CY bird seen on South Walney in 1989 plus a first-winter bird there in 1991, these were the 22nd and 30th Cumbrian records respectively and a Firecrest was found at Heads Nook in 1994.
27th February
A Snow Goose consorted with Barnacle Geese between Anthorn and Bowness-on-Solway from 10th November 2015 it was seen at Anthorn on this day in 2016 and wintering Bitterns were seen at Siddick Pond in 1987 and at Urswick Tarn (SD27S) in 2010.
28th February
A Black-throated Diver was seen off Hilpford Point, Walney in 2010, a Red Kite was seen at Burnbanks (NY51) in 1990 pre-dating the Grizedale releases, a Crane was found at Lillyhall, Workington (NY02H) in 2005 was the 25th Cumbrian record and the Water Pipits wintering in the Biggar area on Walney numbered four in 2009.
29th February
A Snow Goose of unknown origin was seen at South Walney in 2020, this was later re-identified as one of the long-staying Barnacle x Emperor hybrids which are regularly reported as Snow Geese at South Walney and elsewhere in Furness and perhaps further afield at sites such as Hodbarrow. There are at least two individuals involved, one consorts with Barnacle Geese and the other with Canada Geese.
1st March
A Red Kite was seen in the Naddle Valley (NY51) in1990 pre-dating the Grizedale releases, a 2CY Iceland Gull was seen at South Walney inn 2002 it was the 57th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Rose-coloured Starling relocated to a Kendal garden on 31st January until this day in 2010 it had spent the earlier part of the winter in a garden at New Hutton from 21st November 2009 until 8th January 2010 and constituted the seventh and eighth Cumbrian records since 1898 and a Water Pipit wintered in the Rampside area until this day in 2010.
2nd March
Three Shore Larks were present at Sandscale Haws (SD17) from 14th February 1997 they were last seen on this day in 1997, these constituted the 19th Cumbrian record and the 23rd to 25th individual birds and an Arctic Redpoll present at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle from 6th January was last noted on this day in 1996 it was the second Cumbrian record.
3rd March
An adult Egyptian Goose was found at Holme St Cuthbert (NY14D) in 2005 it was the eighth Cumbrian record and the 11th individual bird, a Rough-legged Buzzard seen flying south at Tindale Tarn in 2008 was the 23rd Cumbrian record since 1974, an adult female Kentish Plover frequented the west beach at North Walney until 12th April 1994 it was the second Cumbrian record, a 2CY Iceland Gull seen at Workington in 1984 was the 12th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull that frequented Whitehaven, Parton and Workington from 8th January 2012 was last seen on this day, it was the 71st Cumbrian record, the Great Grey Shrike found on Dalton Crags (SD57N) on 8th January 2006 was seen again on this day staying until 19th March 2006 it was the 13th Cumbrian record since 1994 and a Water Pipit was seen on Roa Island causeway in 2014.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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