Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 7th November 2022
7th November
A Black-throated Diver was seen off the Piel Bar, Walney in 2013, two Long-billed Dowitchers remained at Anthorn until 29th November 1987, presumed to include the earlier individual found in October, this constituted the third Cumbrian record, a Firecrest was found at Roanhead, Sandscale in 2008 and a Lapland Bunting at South Walney in 1990 was presumed to be the same individual that was found on 24th September and seen again on 7th, 22nd and 23rd October and on this day it was the 25th Cumbrian record and the 29th individual bird.
8th November
A Cattle Egret was seen at Fell End NR in 2020 it was the 14th Cumbrian record, a Great White Egret found at Campfield Marsh remained until 15th November 2015, a Red-rumped Swallow was found at Port Carlisle in 2006 it was the second Cumbrian record, a Hume’s Warbler seen at South Walney in 1982 remained overnight and is the only Cumbrian record to date, Water Pipits returned toWalney Island in 2003 and 2011, the latter at Biggar Bank was presumed to be a returning bird from the previous winter.
9th November
A white morph Snow Goose at Drigg in 2010 was probably the same bird found at Mosser on 6th November 2010 it was still considered to be an escape, drake American Wigeons were seen in the Ravenglass area up to the 16th November in 1997 and at Bowness-on-Solway in 2000, this individual remained until the next day and these were the sixth and seventh Cumbrian records, a female Ruddy Duck was seen on Derwent Water in 2014, due to the nationwide cull it was the last known wild bird recorded in the county, a Great White Egret on Burgh Marsh in 2015 was approximately the 30th Cumbrian record, and single Great Grey Shrikes were found at Newton Rigg College, Penrith in 1998, on Humphrey Head in 2003 and a returning bird for its second winter to Dalton Crags (SD57N) in 2007.
10th November
A Snow Goose of unknown origin commuted between Anthorn and Bowness-on-Solway in 2015 remained until 31st January 2016, a drake Green-winged Teal returned to Campfield Marsh for its fifth consecutive winter in 2008, it was the 14th Cumbrian record, the Brothers Water Ferruginous Duck re-appeared in 1993 for its fifth consecutive winter, remaining until 18th April 1994, a Great White Egret was at Campfield Marsh until 12th November 2016, a Cetti’s Warbler was caught and ringed at Watchtree NR (NY35) in 2019 it was the seventh Cumbrian record, a Pallas’s Warbler found at Thwaite Flat, Barrow-in-Furness in 2000 remained until 12th November it was the fourth Cumbrian record and the fifth individual bird and finally a Firecrest was seen at South Walney in 1999.
11th November
A female Isabelline Wheatear was shot near Allonby in 1887, this bird was the first British example of this species, remaining so until the second bird was recorded at Winterton, Norfolk on 28th May 1977, it remains the only Cumbrian record, a Richard’s Pipit at South Walney in 1987 was the 13th Cumbrian record, a single Water Pipit on Walney Island in 2011 was joined by a second bird on 11th and 24th November, one remaining until 30th November a Common (Mealy) Redpoll was seen at Bowness-on-Solway in 2003 and a Little Bunting found at Siddick Pond in 1948 was the first Cumbrian record.
12th November
The Greater Yellowlegs found at Carr Beds on 15th October 1994 was seen there again on this day and the next day.
13th November
A Bittern was seen at Goldmire, Barrow-in-Furness remaining until 26th November in 1989, an adult Cattle Egret was seen in fields at Little Urswick (SD27R) remaining until 27th November 2008 it was the seventh Cumbrian record and the sixth individual bird, a first-winter Long-billed Dowitcher found at Port Carlisle in 2009 remained until 4th January 2010 it was the sixth Cumbrian record and the seventh individual bird, Grey Phalaropes were located at Biggar Bank, remaining until 19th November 2010 and again at Biggar Bank, Walney in 2020 these were the 36th and 40th Cumbrian records and the 38th and 42nd individual birds since 1974, a Great Grey Shrike was found near Paddaburn (NY68N), Spadeadam Forest in 2010, a male Firecrest was found at Westfield Point in 2007 and a female/immature Lapland Bunting seen on Farleton Knott in 2021 was the 46th Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
Copyright © 2022