Since finding my first Cumbrian rarity in 2005 I try to check my patch as often as possible hoping to find the ‘big one’. Careful scrutiny has paid dividends and I have now been lucky enough to find six BB Rarities and a selection of county rarities including:
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American Golden Plover – Drumburgh, 28th September 2012, then refound at Cardurnock, 26th October 2012 (5th record for Cumbria)
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American Golden Plover - Port Carlisle & Drumburgh, 18th – 24th September 2012 (4th record for Cumbria)
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BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER – Bowness-on-Solway, 12th & 13th May 2011 (3rd record for Cumbria)
- SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER – Port Carlisle, 28th July – 5th August 2010 (1st record for Cumbria)
- STILT SANDPIPER – Campfield Marsh, 22nd September – 1st October 2008 (1st record for Cumbria)
- PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER - Anthorn, 19th – 24th August 2008 (5th record for Cumbria)
- Pectoral Sandpiper - Port Carlisle, 27th – 30th July 2008 (23rd record for Cumbria!)
- White-rumped Sandpiper - Anthorn, 29th July 2007 (3rd record for Cumbria, 1st since 1984)
- BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER – Port Carlisle, 24th August 2006 (2nd record for Cumbria – 1st twitchable)
- PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER - Port Carlisle, Anthorn & Bowness-on-Solway, 2nd – 8th July 2005 (4th record for Cumbria)
Away from waders other finds in Cumbria include Todd’s Canada Goose (winter 2012/2013), Tundra Bean Goose (5 occasions), Snow Goose (2007), Green-winged Teal (twice), Ring-necked Duck (1st female for Cumbria in 2007), Common Crane (2004), Long-tailed Skua (lots), Sabine’s Gull (3 occasions), Iceland Gull (2009) and Great Grey Shrike (2009).
A few images:
Todd’s Canada Goose - Cardurnock & Whitrigg, winter 2012/2013
American Golden Plover (near winter plumage) - Drumburgh, 28th September 2012, and then refound at Cardurnock, 26th October 2012
Red-breasted Flycatcher – Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, 27th Sept 2012
American Golden Plover - Port Carlisle & Drumburgh, 18th-24th September 2012
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER – Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria, 12th & 13th May 2011
Green-winged Teal – Campfield Marsh, Cumbria, 1st January 2011
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER - Port Carlisle, Cumbria, 28th July-5th August 2010
Tundra Bean Goose – Whitrigg, Cumbria, 4th April 2010
Great Grey Shrike – Alston Moor Golf Club, Cumbria, 4th April 2009
Iceland Gull – Silloth, Cumbria, 13th February 2009
STILT SANDPIPER – Campfield Marsh, Cumbria, 22nd September-1st October 2008
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER – Anthorn, Cumbria, 19th-24th August 2008
Pectoral Sandpiper – Port Carlisle, Cumbria, 27th-30th July 2008
White-rumped Sandpiper -Anthorn, Cumbria, 29th July 2007
Ring-necked Duck – North Plain Farm, Cumbria, 24th April 2007
White-billed Diver - Skigersta, Isle of Lewis, 24th March 2007
Snow Goose – Newton Marsh, Cumbria, 4th March 2007
Tundra Bean Goose – Anthorn, Cumbria, 18th February 2007
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER – Port Carlisle, Cumbria, 24th August 2006
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER – Port Carlisle, Bowness & Anthorn, 2nd-8th July 2005
Bluethroat – Skaw, Unst, Shetland, 27th May 2003 (actually found by the Mrs stood next to me!)
