From the archives – On This Day
Week commencing Monday 26th August 2024
26th August
Two Spoonbills lingered on Sandgate Marsh, Flookburgh until 31st August in 1985 this constituted the 15th Cumbrian record and the 21st and 22nd individual birds, a male and two female/immature Honey-buzzards were recorded at the undisclosed breeding site from 27th May until this day in 2001 elsewhere two were seen in the Coniston area in 2001, an immature Golden Eagle was seen well near Cold Fell, Geltsdale in 2016, three Corncrakes were seen near St Bees in 1990, had they bred nearby?, a Collared/Black-winged Pratincole in the Grune Point to Skinburness Marsh area staying until 30th August in 2001, first recorded on the Solway in 1807 this was the third Cumbrian record, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen on the sands of the River Esk at the Newbiggin viaduct (SD09X) in 2012 it was the 28th Cumbrian record, a Roseate Tern was seen at South Walney in 1995 it was the second Cumbrian record that year, a Turtle Dove was found at Cavendish Dock in 1990, a Nightjar was seen sitting on the road at Southwaite (NY12) in 1991, a Wryneck was seen at Sunbiggin Tarn in 1994, Hobbies were represented with a juvenile at Drumburgh in 2013, an adult at Talkin Tarn in 2015 and an unaged one on Wedholme Flow in 2016, a Ring-necked Parakeet was at Biggar in 2010 and a first-winter Barred Warbler found at South Walney in 1983 was the 11th Cumbrian record.
27th August
A Sooty Shearwater seen offshore at Selker in 1982 was the 12th Cumbrian record and the 17th individual bird, three Spotted Crakes were locatedin a survey at Scaleby Moss (NY46) in 1981, an adult Yellow-legged Gull turned upat Anthorn in 2004 with possibly the same bird at Oulton (NY25) in 2004, a 3CY Elegant Tern was seen on Haverigg beach on this day in 2021 it was the first Cumbrian Record and the 6th British record having toured Anglesey, Lancashire & North Merseyside, a Wryneck was discovered at Kirksanton in 1984, a Hobby was seen at Talkin Tarn in 2015, two Melodious Warblers at South Walney in 1982 constituted the ninth Cumbrian record and were the the ninth and tenth individual birds, a Tawny Pipit at South Walney in 1982 was the third Cumbrian record.
28th August
Four Spoonbills were seen on Rockcliffe Marsh until 29th August, three remaining until 31st August in 2002 these constituted the 40th Cumbrian record and the 49th to 52nd individual birds, a Pectoral Sandpiper was at Meathop until 30th August in 1984 it was the fifth Cumbrian record, a juvenile Sabine’s Gull seen at Walney Island in 2005 was the 21st Cumbrian record, Hobbies were seen at Barrow-in-Furness until 1st September in 1981 and in Carlisle in 2002.
29th August
A Cory’s Shearwater was seen flying south off Biggar Bank in 2015 it was the 14th Cumbrian record and the 16th individual bird, a Sooty Shearwater seen offshore at Selker in 1988 was the 22nd Cumbrian record and the 37th individual bird, a Stone Curlew found at Holker, Cartmel in 1976 was the fifth Cumbrian record a Red-necked Phalarope that frequented Siddick Pond until 31st August in 1986 was the 30th Cumbrian record and the 31st individual bird and a Cetti’s Warbler first noted on this day at Mere Tarn (SD27Q) remained until at least 20th September 2021, it was approximately the 16th Cumbrian record.
30th August
A Cory’s Shearwater was seen flying north offshore at Selker in 1992 was the 12th Cumbrian record and the 14th individual bird, two Sooty Shearwaters were seen offshore at South Walney in 1984 this constitutes the 17th Cumbrian record and the 27th and 28th individual birds, a Balearic Shearwater seen offshore at South Walney in 1989 was the third Cumbrian record, a Yellow-legged Gull was seen on the beach at Haverigg (SD17U) in 2009 it was the 26th Cumbrian record, sadly a Wryneck was found dead in Docker Wood, Kendal in 1976, a live Wryneck was seen at Stribers (SD38K) in 1981, Hobbies were seen in Middle Gelt in 1987 and in the Foulshaw Moss/Ulpha Meadows area in 2015, Melodious Warblers were found at South Walney in 1965 and 1993, these were the second and 15th Cumbrian records and the second and 16th individual birds and a first-winter Barred Warbler at Siddick in 1986 was the 12th Cumbrian record.
31st August
Two drake Red-crested Pochards were found on the Irt estuary, one remaining until 15th September in 1991 always difficult to assess as to origin, this was thought to be the seventh Cumbrian record involving the ninth and tenth individual birds, a party of three Spoonbills, originally four birds when found on the 28th, were still present on Rockcliffe Marsh in 2002, this was the 40th Cumbrian record, an immature Bittern at Grasmere in 1983 was an unexpected surprise and the 14th Cumbrian record since 1971, a Spotted Crake at Thornhill Meadows in 2002 was the first Cumbrian record this century, an Avocet was seen at Sandside in 2022, Wrynecks were seen at Tebay staying until 1st September in 1981 with another at Torver Low Common (SD29R) in 2013, Hobbies were seen at Hayton near Carlisle in 1987, at Middle Gelt in 1990 and at Beetham in 2016, a first-winter Barred Warbler found at South Walney remained until 3rd September in 1980 it was the seventh Cumbrian record, a Tawny Pipit at South Walney in 1996 was the fifth and last Cumbrian record to date, a juvenile Ortolan Bunting at South Walney in 2008 was the fifth Cumbrian record and a Lapland Bunting at Tindale Tarn in 2010 was the 36th Cumbrian record and the 40th individual bird.
1st September
A Honey-buzzard was seen on passage at South Walney in 1985, a sub-adult Crane on Campfield Marsh until 14th September 2003 was the 19th Cumbrian record and the 18th individual bird, an adult Pectoral Sandpiper at South Walney that remained until 2nd September in 2001 was the 19th Cumbrian record and the 17th individual bird, a splendid adult Sabine’s Gull was found on the River Eden at Rockcliffe in 1997 was the 13th Cumbrian record, a Turtle Dove at Siddick Pond in 1996 was a pleasant find as was a Wryneck in the Eden valley at Ormeside (NY71D) in 1974, a Hobby at Bewcastle (NY57) in 1997 and a Tawny Pipit at South Walney in 1984 was the fourth Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel (2015- 2024) (Retired)
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