Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 15th April 2024
15th April
The drake American Wigeon first seen on Green Road Marsh on 9th March 1989 was last seen on this date it was the first Cumbrian record, a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen on Talkin Fell in 2011 it was the sixth Cumbrian record this century, an adult Ring-billed Gull was found at South Walney where it remained until 18th April 1984, it was the first Cumbrian record, a Hoopoe was seen in Dent (SD68Z) in 2015 it was the fourth Cumbrian record of the decade and a White-spotted Bluethroat found at Rockcliffe in 1938 was the first Cumbrian record of this race.
16th April
A drake Red-crested Pochard was seen at Greenodd in 1994 it was the fifth Cumbrian record and eighth individual bird of the 90’s, a White Stork toured south and west Cumbria in April 1961 it was found at Grange-over-Sands on 10th, Ings from 11th to 14th, Gosforth on 15th and 16th then at Maryport on 16th, generating the 3rd to 6th Cumbrian records, two Avocets seen at Anthorn in 2015 constituted the 13th Cumbrian record of the decade, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was found in Whitehaven harbour in 2017 it was annual from 2011, a male Golden Oriole was seen in Torver in 1974 it was the 17th Cumbrian record, a summer plumaged male Lapland Bunting was photographed on Rockcliffe Marsh in 2021 this was the 45th Cumbrian record and a singing male Ortolan Bunting was found in the dunes at Haverigg in 2022, it was the seventh Cumbrian record.
17th April
A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Campfield Marsh in 2023 it remained overnight and was approximately the 35th Cumbrian record, a Night-heron was seen at Ireleth in 1957 remaining until 20th April, it was the seventh Cumbrian record, a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Whinlatter in 1999 it was the 19th Cumbrian record since 1974, an American Coot was found on the Gate Pool at South Walney in 1999 it was the first Cumbrian record, a flock of four Avocets seen on Wedholme Flow NNR in 2008 constituted the 34th Cumbrian record, Iceland Gulls were represented with a 3CY at Whitehaven harbour until this date in 1984 and a first-winter bird at South Walney in 1984 these are 13th and 14th Cumbrian records and an adult Yellow-legged Gull frequented Whitehaven harbour from 19th March until this date in 2011 it was the 26th Cumbrian record.
18th April
The Brothers Water Ferruginous Duck was last seen on this date in 1994 its penultimate winter stay, the first Cumbrian record of Sooty Shearwaters was of two seen off Walney in 1965, , a Black-winged Stilt was seen near Frizington in 2023 it was the second Cumbrian record, single Avocets seen on Wedholme Flow and at Grune Point on this date in 2010 were perhaps the same individual these are the 38th & 39th Cumbrian records, first-winter Iceland Gulls was seen at Sellafield in 1983 and at Tarns Dub in 1992 these were the 11th & 32nd Cumbrian records.
19th April
A first-winter Red-breasted Goose first found at Rockcliffe Marsh on 22nd March 1992 was last seen on this date in 1992 it was the second Cumbrian record, an adult Ross’s Goose found on Burgh Marsh, Rockcliffe Marsh and Cardurnock first seen on the 14th December 2011 it was last seen on this date in 1992, it was the second Cumbrian record of this Category ‘D’ species, a Little Crake was seen at Ulverston in 1886 it was the second Cumbrian record, two Cranes were seen near Brigsteer in 2015 they were seen over Foulshaw the next day, this was the third Cumbrian record of the decade, an adult Spoonbill was found at South Walney on this day and it was seen again on 30th April 1996 it was approximately the 26th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull was found at Hodbarrow in 1980 was the ninth Cumbrian record, a Cetti’s Warbler was found on Meathop Moss in 2018 this was the fourth Cumbrian record and a male Serin at South Walney in 2013 was the fifth Cumbrian record.
20th April
A drake Ring-necked Duck wintering in the Kendal area appeared at Fisher Tarn on 12th March and remained until this date in 1993, a male Montagu’s Harrier was seen at South Walney in 1981 it was the fourth Cumbrian record with none since 1981 the next one is long overdue, a Yellow-legged Gull was seen at Whitehaven harbour in 2018, a Woodlark was seen at Bowness-on-Solway in 1996 it was the third Cumbrian record of the 90’s and a female Citrine Wagtail found at a sewage facility at Siddick in 2020 remained overnight and was the third Cumbrian record
21st April
The first-winter drake Lesser Scaup first seen on Talkin Tarn turned up at Longtown Ponds stayingintermittently to 30th April 2003, then 14th May intermittently to 16th June 2003, this was the fourth Cumbrian record all involving the same individual bird, a drake Green-winged Teal was at Hodbarrow until 27th April 1996 it was the third Cumbrian record, a first-summer White Stork was found at Scales near Threlkeld (NY32) it remained overnight in 1996 and it was the 17th Cumbrian record, A Turtle Dove visited a garden in Bootle (SD18E) in 2013 it was the first Cumbrian record of the decade and a female Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen on Foulney in 1988 it was the ninth Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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