Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 8th April 2024
8th April
An Egyptian Goose was seen on South Walney in 2008 it was the 11th Cumbrian record this century, a drake Ring-necked Duck frequented Coniston Water from 7th January 1989 until this date in 1989 it was the fourth Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew over Ullswater in 1995 it was the 16th Cumbrian record, a male White-spotted Bluethroat was seen on Bowness Moss in 2015 it was the third Cumbrian record of this race and at least two Water Pipits wintered at Bassenthwaite Marsh from 30th November 1989 until this date in 1990.
9th April
Egyptian Geese were well represented with a pair on Coniston Water in 2006 the ninth Cumbrian record and one at Halforth in 2008 the 16th Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck found on Sunbiggin Tarn on 4th April 1982 moved to Chapel Rigg Tarn, Newbiggin-on-Lune remining until 12th April 1982, it was the second Cumbrian record, a female Ring-necked Duck wintered on Bassenthwaite Lake from 25th November 2007 until this date in 2008, it was the 34th Cumbrian record but the first female seen in Cumbria, White Storks were represented with one seen perched on the church tower at Kirkoswald (NY54K) in 2008 and over Thacka Flash (NY5030) in 2011 these were the 24th & 29th Cumbrian records, an adult Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Haweswater this was the 18th Cumbrian record since 1974, Iceland Gulls were represented with an immature seen on the Piel Bar, Walney in 2008 and a 2CY at Silecroft in 2015 these were approximately the 65th & 78th Cumbrian records.
10th April
A 3CY ‘Todds’ Canada Goose was found at Cardurnock (NY15U) on 27th October 2012 it remained until this date in 2013 and it was the first Cumbrian record, two Egyptian Geese were found at Whinfell Tarn in 2003 this was the seventh Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew over Grange-over-Sands in 1961 and was only the third Cumbrian record, a Crane lingered at North Plain Farm from 2004 until this date in 2005, two satellite ‘tagged’ Golden Eagles dropped in at RSPB Haweswater in 2022, they were part of the South of Scotland Project in 2021, a Hoopoe was found on Walney in 2001 it was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1992, the colonisation continues with a singing Cetti’s Warbler holding territory at Askam-in-Furness until 17th May 2020 this was the eighth Cumbrian record.
11th April
A Red-breasted Goose seen on this date on Rockcliffe Marsh remained until 23rd April 1994 it had previously been seen on Drumburgh in March 1994, it was the seventh county record and probably only the second individual bird, a Sooty Shearwater was seen off Biggar Bank in 2023, it was the eighth Cumbria record since 1994 and noteworthy that the majority of all Sooty Shearwater records are from this part of Cumbria, a Black Stork found at Blencogo in 1994 was the third Cumbrian record and a White Stork seen at Ings remained until 14th April 1961 it was only the fourth Cumbrian record.
12th April
The first-winter Black Brant that was found at Rampside (SD26N) in December 2012 was last seen on this date in 2013 it was the first Cumbrian record, a drake King Eider was at South Walney until 2nd May 1980 it was the returning bird from the previous year and the second Cumbrian record, two Velvet Scoters were found inland at Wet Sleddale in 1994, two Avocets were seen displaying on the River Eden at Rockcliffe in 2012 they remained until the next day, a Night-heron was found at Cleator remaining until 18th April 1974 it was the tenth Cumbrian record, the adult female Kentish Plover found on North Walney on 3rd March 1994 was last noted on this date in 1994 it was the second Cumbrian record, a Sooty Shearwater was seen off Biggar Bank in 2023 it was the first county record for 12 years!, a Hoopoe was seen at Holker (SD37) in 2005, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Grange in Borrowdale (NY21T) in 1992, a Cetti’s Warbler took up residence at Mere Tarn in 2021 remaining until 10th October 2021, now getting more difficult to assess but it was approximately the 16th Cumbrian record, a male Subalpine Warbler found at Milnthorpe Sewage Works in 1993 was the second Cumbrian record and up to four Water Pipits wintered on Walney in the fields near Biggar until this date in 2016.
13th April
A drake Green-winged Teal was seen at Siddick Pond it remained until 21st April 2016 and it was approximately the 30th Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew north up the Walney Channel in 2004, a Cattle Egret was seen on Rockcliffe Marsh in 2023, it remained until the 23rd of the month and becomes the 17th Cumbrian record, a second-summer Ring-billed Gull was found at Green Hills Pond, Dalton-in-Furness it remained until 27th April 1996 it was the eighth Cumbrian record and two Water Pipits were seen at Biggar remaning until this date in 2010.
14th April
A Rough-legged Buzzard seen on Bowness Common in 2003 was the 21st Cumbrian record since 1974, a 2CY Iceland Gull was seen on Central Walney in 1985 it was the 17th Cumbrian record and a Hoopoe was seen in a Kendal garden in 2016 it stayed overnight and was the fifth Cumbrian record of the decade.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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