Records from the archives – On This Day
For week commencing Monday 9th May 2022
9th May
Four Egyptian Geese on the Kent Estuary, from 2nd May that remained until this day in 1988 were the first modern day Cumbrian record of this species , a Kentish Plover at Bowness-on-Solway in 2011 was the fourth Cumbrian record, a Long-billed Dowitcher at Hodbarrow until 12th May in 2012 was the seventh Cumbrian record, a 2nd Summer Ring-billed Gull at Halforth in 1987 was the fourth Cumbrian record, a Turtle Dove was seen at Talkin in 1992, Hoopoes were seen on Little Asby (NY61) in 1997 and at Bowness-on-Windermere in 2008 constituting the fifth and 16th Cumbrian records since 1992 and a male Ortolan Bunting seen at South Walney in 2010 was the sixth Cumbrian record.
10th May
Two Spoonbills on the Kent Estuary in 1970 constituted the ninth Cumbrian record, a Whiskered Tern seen off the viaduct at Bowness-on-Solway in 2009 was the fifth Cumbrian record, Long-tailed Skuas were evident off Bowness-on-Solway with one seen in 2003, five in 2007 and one in 2014, a Hoopoe was seen at Walney airfield in 1992, this was the first Cumbrian record of the 90’s, a White-spotted Bluethroat was at Loweswater in 1985 it was the second Cumbrian record of this race, a ’Channel’ Wagtail was seen on Heversham Moss in 2007 and a male Red-headed Bunting at South Walney until 17th May in 1991 was classed as an escape from captivity, escaped or not it was the first Cumbrian record.
11th May
A Black-throated Diver was seen off Bowness-on-Solway in 2011, a Black Stork at Skirwith (NY63B) in 2008 was the sixth Cumbrian record, a Black Kite at Hodbarrow in 2016 was the third Cumbrian record, a Long-tailed Skua was seen off Hilpsford Point, Walney in 2011 and a Turtle Dove was at Hincaster (SD58) in 1992.
12th May
A Cattle Egret was found at Scotby Holmes (NY4357) in 1987 it was the third Cumbrian record, a Corncrake was calling at Whinfell Park, Penrith in 1987, four Long-tailed Skuas were off Bowness-on-Solway in 1992, a Broad-billed Sandpiper found at Bowness-on-Solway remained until 13th May 2011 it was the third Cumbrian record and a Temminck’s Stint remained at Walby Flash until 13th May 2019 it was the 17th Cumbrian record.
13th May
A Spoonbill was found at South Walney in 2001 it was seen again on 15th and 25th May and it was the 34th Cumbrian record, , a Common Crane was photographed on Wedholme Flow in 2013 it was the 29th Cumbrian record, an adult Spotted Sandpiper held territory at Buttermere remaining until 21st June 2017 it was the fourth Cumbrian record, a Whiskered Tern was at Tindale Tarn in 1957 was the first Cumbrian record, seven Long-tailed Skuas were seen off Bowness-on-Solway in 2013, a Water Pipit was located at Barrowmouth, St Bees in 1987 and a female Red-backed Shrike at Blencarn (NY63) in 2002 remained overnight it was the 19th Cumbrian record since 1969.
14th May
A Spoonbill was at South Walney in 1998 it was the 32nd Cumbrian record, an Eagle Owl at Roanhead (SD27C) in 2009 was classed as an escape and a Dusky Warbler on Walney in 2016 was the second of only two Cumbrian records.
15th May
A Black-necked Grebe was at South Walney in 2000 (WBO), a Honey Buzzard was seen over Milnthorpe in 1997, Long-tailed Skuas were seen on passage off Bowness-on-Solway with one in 1992, six in 2002 and one in 2010, a Chough was seen near The Old Man of Coniston in 2015 it was the ninth Cumbrian record since 1990, a Red-spotted Bluethroat at Whitehaven in 1985 was the fourth Cumbrian record and only the second of this race, a singing Subalpine Warbler at Backhouse Point (SD239659) remained until 18th May in 2013 it was later ID’d from an audio file as a Western Subalpine Warbler, it will be the first Cumbrian record of this recent ‘split’ if accepted by the BBRC, a male ‘Channel’ Wagtail was seen at Rockcliffe Marsh in 2021, it was probably a continuation of the fifth Cumbrian record of this hybrid first found on Carr Beds, Rockcliffe on 23rd April and a male Two-barred Crossbill appeared at a feeder in Sedbergh on this day it remained until 17th May 2000 and it was the second Cumbrian record.
Ronnie Irving
Secretary CBC Records Panel
Copyright © 2022