From the archives – On This Day
Week commencing Monday 1st July 2024
1st July
An eclipse drake Blue-winged Teal was found in a flooded field on Biggar Bank, Walney Island in 2000 this was the second Cumbrian record, a Corncrake was heard between Bridgefoot and Greysouthen (NY02) in 1995 and at least four ‘churring’ Nightjars were counted on the Border Mosses in 2015.
2nd July
An adult Pacific Golden Plover was found at Port Carlisle and it was subsequently seen nearby at Anthorn remaining until 8th July in 2005 constituting the fourth and fifth Cumbrian records, a ‘churring’ male Nightjar was heard on five occasions at a site in the north of the county remaining until 29th July in 1999 and a Ring-necked Parakeet was present in Barrow-in-Furness in 2013.
3rd July
A Cattle Egret found at Appleby in 1964 was the first county record.
4th July
Two adult Roseate Terns were found at Hodbarrow in 2009 this constituted the fifth Cumbrian record this century, all coming from Hodbarrow and an Alpine Swift that was shot at Low Mill House in Egremont in 1842 was the first county record.
5th July
A Cory’s Shearwater was seen off South Walney in 1990 it was the 11th Cumbrian record, all are from Walney, a Crane seen between Calvo Marsh and Salt Cotes (NY15) stayed until 12th August in 1992 it was the eighth Cumbrian record, an adult Yellow-legged Gull returned to Sandside for its third year in 2000 and two adult Roseate Terns put in an appearance at Hodbarrow in 1992 the second county record that year.
6th July
A sad little female Ruddy Duck was found at Hodbarrow it remained until 14th July in 2013, following the infamous cull if one turned up now it would be classed as a vagrant, an adult and a juvenile Spoonbill looked quite at home at Newbiggin Viaduct (SD09X) in 2008, this was the tenth Cumbrian record this century, a Crane that appeared in Borrowdale in 2004 was considered to be the same bird that temporarily resided mainly at North Plain Farm and was the 23rd Cumbrian record; a male Golden Oriole was seen at Aldingham (SD26) in 1993, it was the 31st Cumbrian record.
7th July
An adult Spoonbill remained at South Walney until 30th July in 1993 it was the 23rd Cumbrian record, a Corncrake near Brampton in 1981 was earlier heard there on 26th May, an adult Roseate Tern seen at Hodbarrow in 1991 was the fourth Cumbrian record of the 1990’s, an unseasonal Long-tailed Skua turned up at South Walney in 1995, a Turtle Dove feedingwith Collared Doves in a town garden in Kendal in 2008 was only the tenth record this century, a Hobby was seen near Askham, Penrith in 1979 and Red-backed Shrikes found at St Bees Head in 1974 and at Howtown, Martindale (NY41P) in 1979 were the third and fifth Cumbrian records since 1969.
Ronnie Irving
Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)
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