Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 4th April 2022
4th 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, drake Ring-necked Ducks were found at Sunbiggin Tarn on 4th April remaining until the 7th April 1982 and at Birds Park Reservoir, Kendal in 1993, these were the first and 12th Cumbrian records, an immature Night Heron was found at Thurstonfield Lough in 1976 it was the 11th 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 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 36th Cumbrian record, a Wryneck was seen in Holme Wood, Loweswater in 1989 it was the 13th 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 7th April and a Great Grey Shrike was seen at Alston Moor (NY74F) remaining until 9th April 2009.
5th April
A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen in Long Sleddale (NY50) in 1990 it was the 16th Cumbrian record since 1974, a Common Crane was seen at North Plain Farm in 2002 it stayed overnight and was the 13th 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 7th February 2018 until this date in 2018 these were approximately the 31st, 42nd and 80th Cumbrian records, a Shore Lark was present at Grune Point from 9th December 1991 and was last seen on this date in 1992 it was the 17th Cumbrian record and the 22nd individual bird.
6th 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 seen flying north off Workington in 2002 was the 14th Cumbrian record, an Avocet was seen at Hodbarrow in 1998 this was the 25th Cumbrian record, a first-winter Iceland Gull found at Tarns Dub on 27th March 1988 was last noted on this date in 1988 and was approximately the 21st Cumbrian record and two Great Grey Shrikes were seen on ten dates at Dalton Crags from 28th March 2015 until this date in 2015.
7th April
A drake Green-winged Teal was found at Ulpha Meadows in 2021, it was approximately the 31st 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 9th April 1996 pre-dating the Grizedale releases and a first-winter Iceland Gull wintered in the Whitehaven Harbour area from 3rd January 1998 until this date in 1998 this was approximately the 47th Cumbrian record.
8th April
An Egyptian Goose seen on South Walney in 2008 was the 11th Cumbrian record this century, a drake Ring-necked Duck frequented Coniston Water from 7th January 1989 until this date in 1989 it was the fourth Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew over Ullswater in 1995 it was the 16th 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 on Bassenthwaite Marsh from 30th November 1989 until this date in 1990.
9th 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 16th Cumbrian record, the drake Ring-necked Duck found on Sunbiggin Tarn on 4th April 1982 moved to Chapel Rigg Tarn, Newbiggin-on-Lune remining until 12th April 1982, it was the second Cumbrian record, a female Ring-necked Duck wintered on Bassenthwaite Lake from 25th November 2007 until this date in 2008, it was the 34th Cumbrian record but the first female noted 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 24th & 29th Cumbrian records, an adult Rough-legged Buzzard was seen at Haweswater this was the 18th 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 65th & 78th Cumbrian records.
10th April
A 3CY ‘Todds’ Canada Goose was found at Cardurnock (NY15U) on 27th October 2012 it remained until this date in 2013 and it was the first Cumbrian record, two Egyptian Geese were at Whinfell Tarn in 2003 constituting the seventh Cumbrian record, a White Stork flew over Grange-over-Sands in 1961 and was only the third Cumbrian record, a Common Crane lingered at North Plain Farm from 2004 until this date in 2005, a Hoopoe was found on Walney in 2001 it was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1992, the colonisation continues with a singing Cetti’s Warbler holding territory at Askam-in-Furness until 17th May 2020 this was the eighth Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
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