Week Commencing Monday 19th August 2024

From the archives – On This Day

Week commencing Monday 19th August 2024

19th August

Two Sooty Shearwaters seen off South Walney in 1989 constituted the 24th Cumbrian record they were the 40th & 41st individual birds, an adult Pacific Golden Plover was found at Anthorn it stayed until 24th August in 2008 and it was the sixth Cumbrian record and the fifth individual bird, a Spoonbill on the Kent estuary from 6th August in 1976 was last seen on this day it was the 13th Cumbrian record, a Collared/Black-winged Pratincole on the Leven estuary in 1973 was the second Cumbrian record, adult Yellow-legged Gulls were foundat Sandside in 1999 and loafing on the sands at the Newbiggin viaduct (SD09X) in 2007, a Melodious Warbler at South Walney in 2012 was the 17th Cumbrian record and the 18th individual bird and was the most recent record and an Icterine Warbler at South Walney in 1983 was the second Cumbrian record.

20th August

A Cory’s Shearwater off South Walney in 1985 was seventh Cumbrian record and the ninth individual bird, a Lesser Yellowlegs near Barrow-in-Furness in 1971 was the first Cumbrian record, and Hobbies  were seen at Drumburgh and Warwick Bridge in 2013.

21st August

A Balearic Shearwater off Walney Island in 2005 was the tenth Cumbrian record and the 11th individual bird, two Black-necked Grebes were seen on Talkin Tarn in 2009, an adult Sabine’s Gull was offshore at Selker in 1988 it was the eighth Cumbrian record, a Hobby was seen at Bowston (SD59D) in 2012 and a first-winter Barred Warbler found at Siddick Pond was the fourth Cumbrian record.

22nd August

An adult Sabine’s Gull was seen off Workington in 2020 it was the 36th Cumbrian record, a Golden Eagle hunted over the Glenderaterra valley (NY22) in 1993, a Wryneck was seen on Hutton Roof (SD57U) in 2011  it was the fourth Cumbrian record this century, a Hobby was seen at Wetheral in 2012 and a juvenile/first-winter Citrine Wagtail at South Walney in 2015 was the long overdue first Cumbrian record.

23rd August

An Egyptian Goose lingered at Halforth from 12th March in 2007 until this day, it was the 13th Cumbrian record and the 15th individual , the regular drake Ferruginous Duck returned for its fifth winter at Brothers Water in 1994, it was first noted there on 14th March 1989, two Balearic Shearwaters seen 35 minutes apart from Biggar Bank, Walney in 2008 constituted the 11th Cumbrian record and they were the 12th and 13th individual birds,  Hobbies were seen at Kirkoswald in 2013, Geltsdale in 2013, Kirkbride in 2013 and Duddon Bridge in 2014, a Chough at Arnside in 2008 was the fifth Cumbrian record this century, an Icterine Warbler at South Walney in 1977 was the first Cumbrian record and another at South Walney in 1984 was the third Cumbrian record.

24th August

A Broad-billed Sandpiper found at Port Carlisle in 2006 was the second Cumbrian record, adult Hobbies were seen at North Plain Farm in 2003 and on Foulshaw Moss in 2013, a juvenile Icterine Warbler was caught and ringed at South Walney in 2006 it was the sixth Cumbrian record and the most recent one to date.

25th August

A Sooty Shearwater seen offshore at Workington in 2005 was the 30th Cumbrian record and the 48th individual bird but only the sixth record this century, a Balearic Shearwater seen off Workingtons South Pier in 1996 was the sixth Cumbrian record and the seventh individual bird, a first-summer Black-winged Pratincole on the Kent estuary lingered until 28th August in 1996 it was the first Cumbrian record and it commuted to Leighton Moss during its stay, a Roseate Tern was seen at South Walney in 1990 it was the second county record that year, a juvenile White-winged Black Tern on Oakbank gravel pits, Longtown helpfully staying until 6th September in 1996 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, a Hobby was seen at Brampton in 2010, single Melodious Warblers found at South Walney in 1981 and 1991 were the seventh and 14th Cumbrian records, in fact all Melodious Warbler records are from Walney Island.

Ronnie Irving

Ex-Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024)

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