Week Commencing Monday 12th August 2024

From the archives – On This Day

Week commencing Monday 12th August 2024

12th August

A ‘rasping’ Corncrake was heard at Aikbank (NY24) in 2002, a Spotted Crake remained at Scaleby Moss (NY46) until 26th August then three on 27th August in 1981, these were the first records for many years, a Crane that frequented the Solway between Salt Cotes and Calvo Marsh (NY15) from 5th July in 1992, was the eighth Cumbrian record, a second adult Yellow-legged Gull turned up at Sandside in 2003, it was the 17th Cumbrian record and  Hobbies were found at Tindale in 2010 and at Whinfell Tarn in 2014.

13th August

A Corncrake was heard at Sellafield in 1989, a Red-necked Phalarope remained on the Duddon estuary until 15th August in 1980 it was the 23rd Cumbrian record and immature Hobbies were seen near Walney Island golf course in 1995 and at Drumburgh in 2014.

14th August

A Cattle Egret was noted flying up the River Kent at Sandside in 2019 this was the 13th Cumbrian record and the 15th individual, it is also interesting to note this was the tenth Cumbrian record this century, a first-summer American Golden Plover remained at Anthorn until 4th October in 2005 it  was the third Cumbrian record, a second-winter Laughing Gull at High Foulshaw in 1984 was considered to be a continuation of the first Cumbrian record found on 27th May 1984, an adult Yellow-legged Gull at Sandside in 1998 was the seventh Cumbrian record, Hobbies were seen at Rogersceugh (NY25E) in 2016 and at Carlisle airport (NY46F) also in 2016, a pair of Golden Orioles at Wet Sleddale were first seen on 8th  July in 1965 this was the 16th Cumbrian record and a first-winter Barred Warbler in the Willow Woods, North Walney in 1992 was the 21st Cumbrian record.

15th August

The 23rd Red-necked Phalarope for Cumbria was found on the Duddon estuary on 13th August was last seen on this day in 1980,  a Night-heron on the River Esk at Netherby in 1958 was the eighth Cumbrian record, Honey-buzzards were present at an undisclosed breeding site from 4th June until this date in 2015, a Long-tailed Skua was seen off Walney Island in 2003, a dead Wryneck found in Smardale in 2004, Hobbies  were well represented on this day with an adult at Killington reservoir in 1993, on Foulshaw Moss in 2007, on Glasson Moss in 2009 and at Lakeside, Windermere (NY38T) in 2016, a Ring-necked Parakeet was found at Vickerstown, Walney in 2015 and a female or juvenile Black Redstart was seen at Flusco in 2022.

16th August

A Balearic Shearwater seen offshore from Biggar Bank, Walney in 2004 this was the ninth Cumbrian record and the tenth individual bird, a Black-necked Grebe at Hodbarrow, remained until the next day in 2008 a Honey-buzzard flew over Foulshaw Moss in 2014, Hobbies were seen at Sandybottoms, Kendal in 2002, Leasgill (SD48X) in 2012, and Thacka Beck, Penrith in 2015 and a male Golden Oriole was located at Borrowdale, Keswick in 1966.

17th August

A Bittern was recorded calling by a ‘nocmigger’ in Ulverston in 2022, up to three adult Honey- buzzards frequented  an undisclosed breeding site up to this date in 2016, an adult Black-winged Pratincole was found at Grune Point it lingered until 3rd September in 2000, it was the second Cumbrian record, a juvenile Woodchat Shrike turned up on Foulney Island in 1997 this was the fifth Cumbrian record and a Barred Warbler at South Walney caught and ringed in 1980 was the sixth Cumbrian record.

18th August

Two Bitterns were seen in the reedbed at Whinfell Tarn in 1974, a Temminck’s Stint found at Anthorn in 1988 was the 12th Cumbrian record and the 14th individual bird, a Hobby was seen at Foulshaw Moss in 2016, a Melodious Warbler at South Walney in 1970 was the fifth Cumbria record and another Melodious Warbler again at South Walney but in 1983 was the tenth Cumbrian record and the 11th individual bird and an Icterine Warbler found at South Walney in 1990 was the fifth Cumbrian record.

Ronnie Irving

Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)

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