Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 25th March 2024
25th March
A drake Green-winged Teal returned to Campfield Marsh for its fourth consecutive winter period remaining until 19th April 2008, it was approximately the 15th Cumbrian record, a Ring-necked Parakeet was seen at Thwaite Head, Rusland Valley in 2012, a Great Grey Shrike frequented the Haverthwaite – Roudsea area from 15th December 2004 until this date in 2005 and a male Firecrest was seen at St Bees Head in 2005.
26th March
The Red-breasted Goose found on the 9th March 1994 at Drumburgh was last seen on this day, it was the fifth Cumbrian record and the second individual bird and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen in Levens Park (SD58) in 1993 was the eighth Cumbrian record of the 1990’s.
27th March
A Taiga Bean Goose found on Green Road Marsh (SD18) in 1993 remained until 1st April, it was the first record of the 1990’s, a Tundra Bean Goose was found with Pink-footed Geese at Kirkbride it remained until 29th March 2004 it was the first Cumbrian record of the century, a Red Kite was seen at Pooley Bridge (NY42S) in 2010, an Avocet was seen at Hodbarrow in 1996 it was the 23rd Cumbrian record, first-winter Iceland Gulls were recorded at Tarns Dub with one staying until 6th April 1988 and one from 20th January 1991 until this day in 1991 these were the 21st and 27th Cumbrian records and a Firecrest was found at South Walney in 1998.
28th March
A drake Green-winged Teal was found on the Irt Estuary in 1998 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, the drake Ferruginous Duck wintering at Brothers Water was last seen on this day in 1992, two Bitterns wintered at Siddick Pond and were often seen up to this date in 2012, a second first-winter Iceland Gull joined the other first-winter bird at Tarns Dub in 1993, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen on the refuse tip at Greenside quarry in 1998, a Great Grey Shrike first found at Soddy Gap (NY03R) on 21st January 2017 was last seen on this date, it was the 20th Cumbrian record of the decade, a Chough was seen with a Jackdaw flock north of Allonby in 1990 it was the first record of the 1990’s and the next one didn’t happen until 2005! See 30th March.
29th March
The wintering drake Green-winged Teal first seen at Campfield Marsh in November 2008 was last seen on this date in 2009 it was approximately the 14th Cumbrian record, the drake Ferruginous Duck first seen on 14th March 1989 at Brothers Water wintered every year up to 1995 was last recorded on this date, the drake Ring-necked Duck that was wintering in the Kendal area frequented Whinfell Tarn up to 25th April 1994, a Bittern was seen at Parsonby (NY13) in 1988 and two Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Dalton Crags in 2009, the 17th Cumbrian record since 1994.
30th March
The adult drake Ring-necked Duck first found on Grasmere on 24th January was last seen on this date in 2006 it was the 27th Cumbrian record, a White Stork was seen at Penton (NY47) and nearby at Roadhead the next day in 1998 these are the 20th and 21st Cumbrian records, a Bittern was seen at Bassenthwaite Marsh in 2002, a Red Kite was seen over Kendal in 1996, the Rough-legged Buzzard first seen on Ashfell (NY70) on 27th January 1980 was last seen on this day, it was the sixth Cumbrian record since 1974, a Crane was seen flying from South Walney and east across Morecambe Bay in 2014 it was the 29th Cumbrian record, the Chough first seen at St Bees Head on 23rd January 2005 was last seen on this date it was the second record this century and a Firecrest was at South Walney in 2011.
31st March
The Black Brant returned to winter in the Walney area on 10th November 2018 where it remained until this day in 2019, a second-winter Iceland Gull was found at Wet Sleddale Reservoir in 1996 it was approximately the 43rd Cumbrian record, a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found in Levens Park in 1992, a Great Grey Shrike was found at Waterhead Common, Spadeadam (NY66E) in 2016 it was the 16th record of the decade and at least two Water Pipits were seen at Bassenthwaite Lake in 1990 and one was seen on the Irt Estuary in 1991.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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