Week Commencing Monday 13th February 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 13th February 2023

13^th February

A Bittern found on the River Rathay at Brathay Hall, Ambleside in 1979 was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1971 and single Water Pipits were seen at Biggar Bank in 2009 and on the shore at Grange-over-Sands in 2021.

14^th February

Two Black-throated Divers were seen off Bowness-on-Solway in 1995, a Black-necked Grebe was found on Longtown Ponds in 2000, two Bitterns were seen at Siddick Pond in 2006, an Avocet was found at Cavendish Dock in 1995 it was the 20^th Cumbrian record, Iceland Gull records included the first-winter first found at Flusco Pike refuse tip on 22^nd December 1990, it was last seen on this day in 1991, a first-winter bird at South Walney in 1993 and an adult seen at Greenside Quarry refuse tip in 1998 , these were the 24^th, 37^th and 52^nd Cumbrian records, a Little Auk was seen off Walney in 2013, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen in Latterbarrow in 2004 and three Shore Larks frequented Sandscale Hawes until 2^nd March 1997 this constituted the 19^th Cumbrian record and involved the  23^rd – 25^th individual birds.

15^th February

A Tundra Bean Goose was seen with Pink-footed Geese at Walby (NY433596) in 2017 it was the first Cumbrian record since the influx of 2011/2012, a White Stork was seen at Brough (NY71X) in 2009 it was the 26^th Cumbrian record and records of Bittern included one that was found dead at Dearham in 1971 and a singleton seen flying north offshore at Parton in 2002.

16^th February

An adult Red-breasted Goose was seen at Easton (NY25U) it remained until the next day in 2008, it was the eighth Cumbrian record, a Tundra Bean Goose was found at Askam-in-Furness remained until the next day in 1992 it was the first Cumbrian record of the 90’s, a drake American Wigeon was found at Priory Point on the Leven Estuary remaining until  the 25^thFebruary 1990 it was the second Cumbrian record, a Cattle Egret was found at Grinsdale (NY35U) it remained until 21^st February 2008 and was the fourth Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull seen at Ulpha in 1998  was probably the same bird seen nearby at Halforth on 10^th and 12^th February and was the 49^th Cumbrian record, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found at Sizergh Castle in 1993, a Crested Tit seen at Derwent Water in 1954 was the first Cumbrian record, a Lapland Bunting was found on Crossfell (NY63) in 2001 it was the 31^st Cumbrian record.

17^th February

Three Black-necked Grebes remained on Bassenthwaite Lake until 24^th February 2002, when four birds were seen and the first-winter Iceland Gull first seen at Moss Bay, Workington on 18^th January re-appeared there on this day in 1997.

18^th February

A second Tundra Bean Goose a different bird to the Whitrigg bird first seen on 8^th February 2007 relocated to Anthorn on this day it was the eighth Cumbrian record since 1992, a drake Green-winged Teal frequented Campfield Marsh until 20^th March 2011 it was the 20^th Cumbrian record and a Water Pipit was seen on Foulney in 2014.

19^th February

A Black-throated Diver was seen off Nethertown in 2014, a Bittern was seen at Mere Tarn in 2014, first-winter Iceland Gull was found at Workington harbour in 1997, a Great Grey Shrike was found at High Birk, Grizedale Forest it remained until 24th February 2004 it was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1994, a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found at Haverthwaite in 2002 and three Shore Larks first seen at South Walney on 8^th January 1977 were last seen on this day.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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