Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 1st April 2024
1st April
The adult Black Brant returned to Snab Point, Walney on 15th December 2017 it remained until this date in 2018, the Taiga Bean Goose found on Green Road Marsh, Millom on 27th March 1993 was last seen on this date it was the first Cumbrian Record of the 90’s, an Egyptian Goose first found on Haverbrack Pond (SD48V) on 23rd February 2009 was last seen on this date it was the 17th Cumbrian record, a drake Smew was located on Derwent Water on 13th January 2018 it remained until this date, an Alpine Swift was seen over Newbiggin Crags in 2023, it was the fourth Cumbrian record, an adult Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Haweswater in 1974 it was the first modern day record, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Powter Howe, Bassenthwaite NNR in 1996, a Water Pipit was seen at Loughrigg Fell in 1979 and four Water Pipits at Biggar Bank were joined by a fifth individual on this date in 2010.
2nd April
The wintering drake Ring-necked Duck was seen intermittently on the River Kent, Kendal from 1st January 1993 until this date, it appeared at Killington Reservoir on 19th March remaining until this date in 1995, a Red Kite was seen at Ennerdale (NY11) in 1996 it remained overnight and was the eighth Cumbrian record of the 90’s pre-dating the Grizedale releases, a Spotted Crake was found just inside Cumbria near Silverdale Moss in 2019, it was the third Cumbrian record this century, the Kentish Plover seen on North Walney appeared at Sandscale Haws on 20th March remaining until this date in 1994 it was the third Cumbrian record, a Hoopoe was found on Walney Island in 2005 it was the fifth Cumbrian record of the century and a Water Pipit was seen at Riggindale, Haweswater in 1980.
3rd April
An adult Ross’s Goose wintered on Brough and Rockcliffe Marshes from 5th October 2010 until this date in 2011, it was the second Cumbrian record of this Category ‘AE’ species, a Tundra Bean Goose was seen with the Barnacle Geese on Rockcliffe Marsh in 1992 this was the second Cumbrian record in the 1990’s, a Tundra Bean Goose was found at Salt Cotes (NY1853) remaining until 4th April 2004 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, a drake Green-winged Teal was seen at Campfield Marsh remaining until 15th May 2006, it was approximately the 14th Cumbrian record, a second-winter Iceland Gull frequented the Old Sandsfield – Carr Bedsareauntil 18th April 2018, a Firecrest was found on Walney Island in 2008 and a female Lapland Bunting was found at Rampside in 1988 was the 20th Cumbrian record and the 21st individual bird.
4th April
An adult Tundra Bean Goose was seen with Pink-footed Geese at Whitrigg, near Kirkbride in 2010 it was the first Cumbrian record of the decade, a drake Ring-necked Duck was found at Sunbiggin Tarn in 1982 it remained until the 7th April, this was the first Cumbrian record, a drake Ring-necked Duck at Birds Park Reservoir, Kendal in 1993 was the 12th Cumbrian record, an immature Night-heron was found at Thurstonfield Lough in 1976 it was the 11th Cumbrian record, a male Montagu’s Harrier was seen at Claife heights, Windermere in 1978, the next Cumbrian record was in 1981 with none since then so long overdue now, a Red Kite was at Tarnflatt, St Bees Head in 1987, this was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1969 and pre-dated the Grizedale releases, a first-winter Iceland Gull was seen near Silloth in 1993 it was approximately the 36th Cumbrian record, a Wryneck was seen in Holme Wood, Loweswater in 1989 it was the 13th Cumbrian record of the 80’s, a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen together in Levens Park in 1992 the male was last noted on the 7th April and a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Alston Moor (NY74F) remaining until 9th April 2009.
5th April
A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen in Long Sleddale (NY50) in 1990 it was the 16th Cumbrian record since 1974, a Common Crane was seen at North Plain Farm in 2002 it stayed overnight and was the 13th Cumbrian record, two Avocets were seen on Burgh Marsh in 1960 only the sixth Cumbrian record, Iceland Gulls were well represented on this day with a first-winter at South Walney in 1991, a third-winter at Sellafield in 1995 and another third-winter at Bowness-on-Windermere from 7th February 2018 until this date in 2018 these were approximately the 31st, 42nd and 80th Cumbrian records, a Shore Lark was present at Grune Point from 9th December 1991 and was last seen on this date in 1992 it was the 17th Cumbrian record and the 22nd individual bird.
6th April
Red Kites were seen over the Walney Channel in 1969 and at Endmoor (SD58M) in in 2008 pre-dating the Grizedale releases, a Crane was seen flying north at Workington in 2002 it was the 14th Cumbrian record, an Avocet was seen at Hodbarrow in 1998 this was the 25th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull found at Tarns Dub on 27th March 1988 was last noted on this date in 1988 and was approximately the 21st Cumbrian record and two Great Grey Shrikes were seen on ten dates at Dalton Crags from 28th March 2015 until this date in 2015.
7th April
A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Ulpha Meadows in 2021, it was approximately the 31st Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck wintering in the Kendal area moved to Whinfell Tarn staying until 30th April 1995, a Red Kite frequented Haweswater until 9th April 1996 pre-dating the Grizedale releases and a first-winter Iceland Gull wintered in the Whitehaven Harbour area from 3rd January 1998 until this date in 1998 this was approximately the 47th Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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