Week Commencing Monday 30th September 2024

From the archives – On This Day

Week commencing Monday 30th September 2024

30^th September

A Glossy Ibis seen at Kirkbride in 1992 was the third Cumbrian record and the first since 1932, a Cattle Egret was found on the Thacka Beck NR, Penrith in 2023, it was the 20^th Cumbrian record, a Great White Egret was seen at Rape Haw on Walney Island in 2010 it was the 13^th Cumbrian record, a juvenile Honey-buzzard was seen on passage at Foulshaw Moss in 2019, a Common Crane at Flookburgh Marsh in 1979 remained in the area until 6^th January in 1980 it was the second Cumbrian record and the first since 1869, an American Golden Plover at Heversham (SD48W) in 2016 was the ninth Cumbrian record and the eighth individual bird, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Kirkbride Marsh in 1989 was the fourth Cumbrian record, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen at the Newbiggin viaduct (SD09X) in 2013, a Hobby was seen at Natland in 1991, a Yellow-browed Warbler found in a Kendal garden in 2002 was the 21^st Cumbrian record and 23^rd individual bird and a Lapland Bunting at Castle Carrock in 1987 was the 15^th Cumbrian record.

1^st October

A Great White Egret was seen at North Walney on on this date and four other dates up to 30^th October in 2016, a Rough-legged Buzzard drifted west at Hackthorpe (NY52L) in 2008 it was the 24^th Cumbrian record since 1974, the Stilt Sandpiper found at Campfield Marsh on 22^nd September was last seen there on this day in 2008 it remains the sole Cumbrian record, the juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper first found on Arnside Marsh on 24^th September 2011 was last seen there on this day, it was the sixth Cumbrian record, a female Pectoral Sandpiper was shot at Salt Cotes (NY15W) in 1961, it was the second Cumbrian record, the first was at Edenhall in 1888, a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found at Ulpha Meadows (SD48K) in 2013 , it was the 29^th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Wilson’s Phalarope was seen briefly at South Walney in 1989 it remains the first and only Cumbrian record, a juvenile Red-necked Phalarope on the Gate Pool at South Walney until 5^th October in 1988 was the 33^rd Cumbrian record and the 34^th individual bird, a Grey Phalarope in the Central Marsh, South Walney in 2008 was the 31^st Cumbrian record since 1974, a Long-tailed Skua at Bowness-on-Solway in 2001 was the 23^rd Cumbrian record and the 33^rd individual bird, juvenile Turtle Doves were found at Halforth in 1990 and at South Walney until 2^nd October in 1990, a Yellow-browed Warbler at Vickerstown, Walney Island until 3^rd October, then two from 4^th to 6^th October, one remaining until 13^th October 2013 in 2013, an immature Red-breasted Flycatcher at South Walney in 1972 was the second Cumbrian record, a Lapland Bunting on Walney Island in 2003 was the 32^nd Cumbrian record and the 36^th individual bird.

2^nd October

A Great White Egret remained overnight on Rockcliffe Marsh in 2013 it was the 23^rd Cumbrian record, perhaps the majority of these records were generated by no more than a dozen mobile individuals, an adult American Golden Plover at Bowness-on-Solway in 1997 was the first Cumbrian record, an American Golden Plover at Anthorn until 3^rd October in 2015 was the eighth Cumbrian record and the seventh individual bird, a juvenile Grey Phalarope at Eaglesfield (NY02Z) was the 34^th Cumbrian record and the 36^th individual bird and one on Biggar Bank, Walney in 2022 was the 42^nd Cumbrian record and the 44^th individual bird,, an immature Sabine’s Gull at Sellafield until 5^th October in 1990 was the 11^th Cumbrian record, erroneously published at first as an immature Arctic Skua a bird found inland in a field at Burneside near Kendal was eventually re-identified as a juvenile Long-tailed Skua it remained until 5^th October in 1976 thus becoming the base-line for future records, an adult Long-tailed Skua at Bowness-on-Solway in 1994 was the 15^th Cumbrian record since 1976 and the 20^th individual bird, a Turtle Dove at Sizergh Castle in 1993 was the third Cumbrian record that year, the Yellow-browed Warbler found at Westfield Point on 29^th September was last seen on this day in 2003 and the Rustic Bunting found at South Walney on 27^th September 2008 was last seen on this day, it is still the sole Cumbrian record.

3^rd October

A Great White Egret at Campfield Marsh was also seen on 10^th and 12^th November and 4^th December in 2016, birds were also present on the Kent estuary in 2016 now becoming a regular sight in the south of the county, an Avocet seen on the Kent estuary remained until 5^th October in 1970 it was the eighth Cumbrian record, a juvenile Turtle Dove at Sizergh Castle in 1991 was the fifth Cumbrian record that year, Hobbies were seen at Arnside in 1989 and at Kents Bank in 2016 and a first-winter Barred Warbler that remained on Walney Island until 12^th October in 2005 was the 26^th Cumbrian record.

4^th October

An immature drake Red-crested Pochard found on Killington reservoir was still present the next day in 1995, always difficult to assess but a good date, it was the sixth autumn record since 1970, a Glossy Ibis kindly dropped in at Rockcliffe Marsh in 2009 it was the fifth Cumbrian record and the tenth individual bird, a Bittern on Whinfell Tarn remained until 24^th October in 1977, it was the eighth Cumbrian record of the 70’s, the first-summer American Golden Plover first seen at Anthorn on 14^th August 2005 was last noted on this date, a Hoopoe remained at Grune Point until 6^th October in 2000 it was the eighth Cumbrian record since 1992, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen on the outskirts of Kendal in 1992 it was the fourth Cumbrian record that year, Hobbies were to be found on Walney Island until 7^th October in 1984 and in the Tindale – Hallbankgate area in 2006, Yellow-browed Warblers were represented with two in Vickerstown Park, Walney until 6^th October in 2013 one remaining until 13^th October and one in Cockermouth in 2013, these were the 36^th and 37^th Cumbrian records and the 38^th to 40^th individual birds.

5th October

An adult Ross’s Goose [BBRC Cat D] frequented Burgh and Rockcliffe Marshes in 2010 remaining until 3^rd April 2011 this was the second Cumbrian record, a Great White Egret at Killington Reservoir flew off east over Lily Mere in 2016, a Spotted Crake on North Walney in 1981 was the second Cumbrian record of 1981, a Common Crane on South Walney in 1984 was the fourth Cumbrian record, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Walney Island in 1975 was the second Cumbrian record, a Red-necked Phalarope at South Walney in 1980 was the 24^th Cumbrian record and the 25^th individual bird, Yellow-browed Warblers were found at South Walney in 1968, the second Cumbrian record; at South Walney in 1981 the fourth Cumbrian record; at Black’s Pond, Sandscale (SD27) remaining until 6^th October in 1992 the 11^th Cumbrian record and the 12^th individual bird and at South Walney in 2009 the 27^th Cumbrian record and the 29^th individual bird and Lapland Buntings were at South Walney in 1968, the sixth Cumbrian record with one on the beach at Sellafield remaining until 8^th October in 2008 this was the 35^th Cumbrian record and the 39^th individual bird.

6^th October

A Pectoral Sandpiper lingered at Anthorn until 8^th October 2020 it was the 36^th Cumbrian record, a Grey Phalarope at South Walney in 1990 was the 17^th Cumbrian record since 1974, an adult Yellow-legged Gull with a damaged foot was at Newbiggin viaduct (SD09X) it was seen again on 21^st October in 2012, a Wryneck at Appleby in 1973 was a notable record, a Yellow-browed Warbler at South Walney in 2010 was the 29^th Cumbrian record and the 31^st individual bird, a Yellow-browed Warbler at Grange-over-Sands in 2019 was the 71^st Cumbrian record and the 69^th individual bird, Note: 2016 was a particularly good year Yellow-browed Warblers, 26 individuals were recorded between 2^nd and 30^th October as follows; Levens: One on 2^nd, Kents Bank: One on 3^rd, two on 8^th & 9^th and one on 10^th, St Bees Head: Singles on 3^rd, 5^th – 7^th and 10^th and 11^th, Saltom Bay, Whitehaven: One on 3^rd and 4^th, Sedgwick: One on 4^th, South Walney: Singles on 4^th, 10^th, 15^th and 20^th, Humphrey Head: One on 5^th, Flookburgh: One on 5^th, possibly same as above, Westfield Point, Barrow-in-Furness: Three on 6^th, two from 7^th to 12^th , singles on 13^th and 19^th, Waterside: One on 7^th, Arnside Knott: One on 9^th, Grange-over-Sands: One on 9^th, Vickerstown, Walney: One on 11^th and 12^th, Foulshaw Moss: One on 12^th, Ennerdale Bridge: One on 14^th with a tit flock, Carlisle Airport: One on 20^th & 21^st, Weddicar Hall Park: One on 20^th, Whitehaven: One on 20^th, Beckermet: One on 21^st and 22^nd, Cockermouth: One on 21^st and Watchtree NR, Great Orton: One on 30^th, a Richard’s Pipit at South Walney until 7^th October in 1995 was the 19^th Cumbrian record.

Ronnie Irving

Secretary CBC Records Panel 2015 – 2024 (Retired 2024)