Week Commencing Monday 3rd April 2023

Records from the archives – On This Day

For week commencing Monday 3^rd April 2023

3^rd April

An adult Ross’s Goose wintered on Brough and Rockcliffe Marshes from 5^th October 2010 until this date in 2011, it was the second Cumbrian record of this Category ‘D’ species, a Tundra Bean Goose was seen with the Barnacle Geese on Rockcliffe Marsh in 1992 this was the second Cumbrian record in the 1990’s, a Tundra Bean Goose was found at Salt Cotes (NY1853) remaining until 4^th April 2004 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, a drake Green-winged Teal was seen at Campfield Marsh remaining until 15^th May 2006, it was approximately the 14^th Cumbrian record, a second-winter Iceland Gull frequented the Old Sandsfield – Carr Bedsareauntil 18^th April 2018, a Firecrest was found on Walney Island in 2008 and a female Lapland Bunting was found at Rampside in 1988 was the 20^th Cumbrian record and the 21^st individual bird.

4^th April

An adult Tundra Bean Goose was seen with Pink-footed Geese at Whitrigg, near Kirkbride in 2010 it was the first Cumbrian record of the decade, a drake Ring-necked Duck was found at Sunbiggin Tarn on 4^th April remaining until the 7^th April 1982, this was the first Cumbrian record, a drake Ring-necked Duck at Birds Park Reservoir, Kendal in 1993 was the 12^th Cumbrian record, an immature Night-heron was found at Thurstonfield Lough in 1976 it was the 11^th Cumbrian record, a male Montagu’s Harrier was seen at Claife heights, Windermere in 1978, the next Cumbrian record was in 1981 with none since then so long overdue now, a Red Kite was at Tarnflatt, St Bees Head in 1987, this was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1969 and pre-dated the Grizedale releases, a first-winter Iceland Gull was seen near Silloth in 1993 it was approximately the 36^th Cumbrian record, a Wryneck was seen in Holme Wood, Loweswater in 1989 it was the 13^th Cumbrian record of the 80’s, a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen together in Levens Park in 1992 the male was last noted on the 7^th April and a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Alston Moor (NY74F) remaining until 9th April 2009.

5^th April

A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen in Long Sleddale (NY50) in 1990 it was the 16^th Cumbrian record since 1974, a Common Crane was seen at North Plain Farm in 2002 it stayed overnight and was the 13^th Cumbrian record, two Avocets were seen on Burgh Marsh in 1960 only the sixth Cumbrian record, Iceland Gulls were well represented on this day with a first-winter at South Walney in  1991, a third-winter at Sellafield in 1995  and another third-winter at Bowness-on-Windermere from 7^th February 2018 until this date in 2018 these were approximately the 31^st, 42^nd and 80^th Cumbrian records, a Shore Lark was present at Grune Point from 9^th December 1991 and was last seen on this date in 1992 it was the 17^th Cumbrian record and the 22^nd individual bird.

6^th April

Red Kites were seen over the Walney Channel in 1969 and at Endmoor (SD58M) in in 2008 pre-dating the Grizedale releases, a Common Crane was seen flying north at Workington in 2002 it was the 14^th Cumbrian record, an Avocet was seen at Hodbarrow in 1998 this was the 25^th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull found at Tarns Dub on 27^th March 1988 was last noted on this date in 1988 and was approximately the 21^st Cumbrian record and two Great Grey Shrikes were seen on ten dates at Dalton Crags from 28^th March 2015 until this date in 2015.

7^th April

A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Ulpha Meadows in 2021, it was approximately the 31^st Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck wintering in the Kendal area moved to Whinfell Tarn staying until 30th April 1995, a Red Kite frequented Haweswater until 9^th April 1996 pre-dating the Grizedale releases and a first-winter Iceland Gull wintered in the Whitehaven Harbour area from 3^rd January 1998 until this date in 1998 this was approximately the 47^th  Cumbrian record.

8^th April

An Egyptian Goose was seen on South Walney in 2008 it was the 11^th Cumbrian record this  century, a drake Ring-necked Duck frequented Coniston Water from 7^th January 1989 until this date in 1989 it was the fourth Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew over Ullswater in 1995 it was the 16^th 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 30^th November 1989 until this date in 1990.

9^th 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 16^th Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck found on Sunbiggin Tarn on 4^th April 1982 moved to Chapel Rigg Tarn, Newbiggin-on-Lune remining until 12^th April 1982, it was the second Cumbrian record, a female Ring-necked Duck wintered on Bassenthwaite Lake from 25^th November 2007 until this date in 2008, it was the 34^th 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 24^th & 29^th Cumbrian records, an adult Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Haweswater this was the 18^th  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 65^th & 78^th Cumbrian records.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel

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