Cumbria Avifaunas – A History

When the first avifaunas were produced the county boundaries were very different from today. Cumbria now has a large chunk of what was North Lancashire and a little of the old Yorkshire and Northumberland. Hence, in particular Lancashire’s avifaunas and reports prior to 1974 contain much Cumbria material. Also some of the early Cumbrian efforts tended to confine themselves to the individual old counties of Cumberland or Westmorland or the “Lake District”.

The first attempt at a county list was by J. Heysham within W. Hutchinson’s “History of the County of Cumberland” in 1794 but the first systematic list was H.A. Macpherson and W. Duckworth’s “The Birds of Cumberland” published in 1886 (with some notes on the birds of Westmorland). This was quickly followed by H.A. Macpherson’s “Vertebrate Fauna of Lakeland” in 1892. This included a major treatment of birds within a much wider review of the wildlife of an area roughly corresponding to the Cumbria of today.

The next County lists appeared as either part or all of volumes of the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society as follows:

Dunlop, W.E.B.1923Lakeland ornithology, 1892 – 1913Trans. Carlisle NHS Vol.3
Hope, L.E.1923Appendix to Lakeland Ornithology 1913-1923Trans. Carlisle NHS Vol.3
Blezard, E.1943Accounts of the birds of LakelandTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.6 – The Birds of Lakeland
Blezard, E.1946The birds of Lakeland: a supplementTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.7 – Lakeland Natural History
Blezard, E.1954The birds of Lakeland: a second supplementTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.8 – Lakeland Ornithology
Blezard, E.1958The birds of Lakeland: a third supplementTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.9 – Lakeland Birds
Stokoe, R.1962The Birds of the Lake CountiesTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.10 – The Birds of the Lake Counties

None of these volumes were annual reports. They were reviews of species records and status in the intervening years since the publication of each previous volume.

In 1949 The Penrith and District Natural History Society began circulating its members with a monthly update of wildlife sightings including birds. Other Societies soon joined and the simple typed paper document became “The Field Naturalist” in 1954 becoming bimonthly and a proper bound pamphlet in 1956. It continued until 1968 by which time the number of contributors had dwindled. During its existence three periodic reviews were published called “the Changing Scene” and these included a paper entitled “Some changes in the status of the birds of Lakeland and an account of irregular movements” by Bill Robson in volume 1 issued in 1957.

The first recognisable bird reports appeared for the years 1970 – 1972 and for 1973. These reports contained systematic lists from different Natural History Societies and were part of a publication called “Natural History in Cumbria” published on behalf of the newly formed “Association of Natural History Societies”. The first annual countywide bird report appeared for 1974 with the title of the volume changing from “Natural History in Cumbria” to “Birds In Cumbria” in 1976. The ANHS became the Cumbria Naturalists Union in 1980 and the title changed to “Birds and Wildlife in Cumbria” in 1995.

Irregular recent reports were published by the Barrow Naturalists Field Club in their sporadic reports from 1900 to 1963 for the Furness area and also by the West Cumberland Field Society in their transactions which appear to have appeared only twice in 1971 and 1972. Since the formation of the Cumbria Bird Club recent reports have appeared on a quarterly basis in the Club’s newsletter since 1990.

An independent review “ Lakeland Birdlife ” 1920 – 1970 was written by Rob Brown and published in 1974. In 1986 a further privately published review “Cumbrian Birds 1964 – 1984” was written by Malcolm Hutcheson.

The Lancashire publication, Mitchell’s “Birds of Lancashire” in 1885, was followed in 1953 by Clifford Oakes’ volume of the same title. This second volume in particular, contains much information for that part of Lancashire “North of the Sands” as does an update “The status and distribution of the birds of Lancashire” written by K.G. Spencer in 1973. This is also true of the annual Lancashire bird reports which began as far back as 1914 to county re-organisation in 1974. In addition the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society have produced annual reports since 1959 with periodic reviews in 1968 and 1978 covering an area including the southeast part of Cumbria.

Secondhand copies of the first “Macpherson and Duckworth” seem to sell at around £80 and Macpherson’s “Vertebrate Fauna” at about £150. However a facsimile copy of the latter was produced in 1972 and goes for anything between £10 and £30.

Secondhand copies of Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society go for between £5 and £15.
(one is available from Tullie House Museum – see below).

Secondhand copies of the “Changing Scene” sell at between £5 and £15.

Stocks of the following may be obtained from Stephen Hewitt at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

  • Lakeland Birdlife (Rob Brown) £5.00
  • Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society vol 8 Lakeland Ornithology £5.00

Past issues of annual Cumbria Bird reports are available from Cumbria Bird Club – more details.

For past Lancaster reports, contact Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society .

For past Lancashire reports, contact Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society .

Local Reports.

Over the years many “patch” reports have been produced. Some published and some not.

Most take the form of a review of a particular geographical area in a defined time period but some are annual. The majority of the latter are for nature reserves and are to be found in their overall annual reports. Some private individuals have also produced systematic lists and continue to do so. The Bird Club would be pleased to hear of these if they are not already forwarded as part of the annual reporting process.

A list of known patch reports follows.

AuthorDate  TitleSource
Heysham, J.1794A catalogue of Cumberland animalsThe History of the county of Cumberland by W. Hutchinson 2nd section, 4-23, 38, 96, 449-453
Richardson, W.M.1794Zoology of the Ullswater DistrictThe History of the county of Cumberland by W. Hutchinson 2nd section
Clarke, J.1807A survey of the lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire 
Rylands, P.1837Catalogue of birds found in Lancashire 
Pearson, W.1850Notices on a few subjects in the natural history of Crossthwaite and Lythe 
Armstrong, T.1854Notes on the natural history of East CumberlandNaturalist (Morris’s): 225-226, 250-253
Birbeck, R1854A list of the birds of West Cumberland – a replyZoologist 1854:4366
Robson, J.1854A list of the birds of West CumberlandZoologist 1854:4166-4170, 4406
Gough, T.1861Birds of KendalThe Annals of Kendal by C. Nicholson 307-310
Harting, J.E.1864The Birds of Walney IslandZoologist 1864: 9156-65
Smith, H.E1864Other notes on the birds which breed upon Walney and adjacent islandsZoologist 1864: 9321-9325
Cordeaux, J.1867Notes on the ornithology of the Englisjh Lakes (1867)Zoologist 1867: 865-871
Durnford, H.1873A few notes on the birds that breed on Walney IslandsZoologist 1873: 3603-3606
Durnford, W.A.1878Ornithological notes from the Lake DistrictZoologist 1878: 118-121
Dawson, G. & Ward, J.C.1879List of Cumberland birds in the Carlisle and Keswick museumsTransactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Association 4: 331-339
Macpherson, H.A.1884Ornitholgical notes from Carlisle 1883Zoologist Apr. 1884: 127-130
Parker, C.A.1884A Cumberland Marsh (Drigg)Field 3/5/1884: 596-597
Smith, C.F.1884A Cumberland Marsh (Drigg)Field 19/4/1884: 560
Armistead, J.J.1885Notes on some of the birds occurring in the Solway DistrictNaturalist 1885: 293-298
Backhouse, J.1885Notes on the Avi-fauna of upper TeesdaleNaturalist 1885: 353-364
Peile, W.1885Cockermouth Bird Notes (Dippers, Tits, Owls, Crow, Chats,Natural History Journal 15/5/1885: 79
Armistead, J.J.1886Notes on some of the birds occurring in the Solway DistrictNaturalist 1886: 69-78
Macpherson, H.A.1886Solway bird notesNaturalist 1886: 150
Postlethwaite, T.N.1886Ornithological notes from south Cumberland (Millom)Zoologist July 1886: 300-301
Macpherson, H.A.1887Zoological record for Cumberland – birds 1886Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Association 12: 29-43
Backhouse, J.1888Notes and additions to the avi-fauna of upper TeesdaleNaturalist 1888: 79-80
Macpherson, H.A.1888Ornithological record for Cumberland, January 1887-June 1888Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Association 13: 25-29
Macpherson, H.A.1888Notes on the birds of CumberlandZoologist 1888: 328-331
Macpherson, H.A.1888Response to “The ornithology of Skiddaw, Scafell and Helvellyn”Naturalist 1888: 242
Watson, J.1888A list of the birds of the Lake DistrictWestmorland Natural History Record 6: 45-48, 88-90,
Watson, J.1888Notes on the birds of the Lake DistrictNaturalist 1888: 201-202
Watson, J.1888The ornithology of Skiddaw, Scafell and HelvellynNaturalist 1888: 161-168
Macpherson, H.A.1889Ornitholgical notes from Cumberland and WetmorlanndZoologist May 1889: 175-177
Macpherson, H.A.1890Notes on birds from LancashireNaturalist 1890: 234-236
Barber, S.1892Beneath Helvellyns Shade, Notes and sketches in the valley of Wythburn 
Macpherson, H.A.1892BirdsA Vertebrate Fauna of Lakeland: 87-460
Anon1900List of the Birds of the Furness districtBarrow Naturalists Field Club Annual Report V14: 4-6
Macpherson, H.A.1901Solway bird notesNaturalist 1901: 150
Armitt, M.L.1902The birds of RydalNaturalist 1902: 237-257
Armitt, M.L.1902Natural History and sport in the Lake Counties – the BirdsThe Lake Counties by W.G. Collingwood
Booth, H.B.1907The birds etc. of Walney IslandNaturalist 1907: 270-273
Haigh-Lumby, A.1911The birds of Walney IslandNaturalist 1911: 281-282
Graham, R.1928Notes on the birds of Lakeland and the Solway Firth 1926North West Naturalist 3: 127-131, 166-170
Graham, R.1929Notes on the birds of Lakeland and the Solway Firth 1927North West Naturalist 4: 109-120
Graham, R.1930Bird notes from the Solway Firth 1928North West Naturalist 5 : 167-177, 231-235
Graham, R.1931Bird notes from the Solway Firth and Lakeland 1929North West Naturalist 6: 207-221
Armitt, M.L. & Astley, A.1932Natural History and sport in the Lake Counties – the Birds revisedThe Lake Counties 2nd edition by W.G. Collingwood: 185-199
Graham, R.1932Bird notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1930North West Naturalist 7: 102-114, 196-208
Wilson, J.O.1933Birds of Westmorland and the North Pennines 
Graham, R.1934Bird notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1932North West Naturalist 9: 36-42, 135-149
Graham, R.1934Bird notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1933North West Naturalist 9: 233-246, 344-356
Graham, R.1935Ornitholgical notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1934North West Naturalist 10: 120-130, 201-212
Graham, R.1936Ornitholgical notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1935North West Naturalist 11: 133, 247, 349
Graham, R.1937Ornitholgical notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1936North West Naturalist 12: 251-259
Anon1939Ornithological report 1936-37Barrow Naturalists Field Club Annual Report V4: 22
Anon1939Ornithological report 1937-38Barrow Naturalists Field Club Annual Report V4: 29
Anon1939Ornithological report 1938-39Barrow Naturalists Field Club Annual Report V4: 40
Graham, R.1939Ornitholgical notes from the Solway Firth, Pennines and Lakeland 1938North West Naturalist 14: 118-124
Marriner, T.F.1940Birds, mammals and fishes of NE CumberlandNaturalist 1940: 177-184
Brown, R.H.1943Notes from CumberlandBritish Birds 37: 35
Garnett, R.M.1946Winter birds on Windermere – a retrospectTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.7 – Lakeland Natural History: 49-70
Anon1951Bird records at Cavendish DockBarrow Naturalists Field Club Annual Report V7: 26
Stokoe, R.1954Siddick Pond and its birdsTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol.8 – Lakeland Ornithology:33-74
Coward, T.A.1956The English Lake District: Notes on a few of the birds breeding there in 1884-85Bird Notes 27: 145-148
Allen, J.W.1960Ornithological notes 1956-1960Trans. Eden Field Club, Penrith NHS, Kendal NHS, The Changing Scene Vol. 2
Robson, R.W.1960The birds of Sunbiggin TarnTrans. Eden Field Club, Penrith NHS, Kendal NHS, The Changing Scene Vol. 2
Stokoe, R.1960Birds on the west Cumberland coastTrans. Eden Field Club, Penrith NHS, Kendal NHS. The Changing Scene Vol. 2
Anon1962Bird migration at Grune PointTrans. Carlisle NHS Vol 10 – The Birds of the Lake Counties: 113-128
Stokoe, R.1966Birds from Grune PointTrans. Eden Field Club, Penrith NHS, Kendal NHS. The Changing Scene Vol. 3
Mitchell, W.R. & Robson, R.W.1973Pennine Birds 
Colley, L.T.1974Rockliffe Marsh general records 1970-73Natural History in Cumbria 1973
Mitchell, W.R. & Robson, R.W.1974Lakeland Birds 
Wilson, J.1974The Birds of Morecambe Bay 
Callion, J.1977Observations on Siddick PondBirds in Cumbria 1976
Parkin, J.1977Birds of the Moorhouse National Nature ReserveAspects of the Ecology of the North Pennines, Occ.paper 10
Gould, A.F.1978A square of birds: A survey of birds in the Kendal districtBirds in Cumbria 1977
Bayliss, R.1984Birds in the Duddon EstuaryThe Duddon Estuary : a partnership for progress 51-58
Carrier, M.1984Birds of South SolwayBirds in Cumbria 1983
Burnham, P.M.1986The breeding birds of a stretch of the River Tees within Moor House National Nature Reserve, Cumbria 1979-1983Naturalist 1986: 79-86
Dean, T.1991Systematic list of the birds of Walney IslandThe Natural History of Walney Island: 78-189
Bottomley, R.1994Sunbiggin TarnCumbria Bird Club News 5: no 4
Gould, A.F.1994Killington Reservoir and its birds (also Bannisdale)Cumbria Bird Club News 5: no 1
Smith, J.1995Siddick Pond local nature reserveCumbria Bird Club News 6: no 1
Naylor, G.1997Talkin Tarn notes, autumn 1997Cumbria Bird Club News 8: no 4
Cleasby, T.W.I.1999Birds and Boys at Sedbergh 
Stirrup, S.1999Changes in the status of birds in the Great Langdale ValleyCumbria Bird Club News 10: no 2
Senior, A. & Robinson, T.2000Birds of BurnesideA Natural History Survey of the Burneside parishes of Strickland Roger and Strickland Ketel 38-42
Clarke, G.2001Bird counts along the river Kent in 2000Wildlife of Kendal: A natural history of Kendal in the year 2000: 18-19
Gould, A.F.2001Birds breeding in KendalWildlife of Kendal: A natural history of Kendal in the year 2000: 4-10
Gould, A.F.2001Non breeding birds in KendalWildlife of Kendal: A natural history of Kendal in the year 2000; 11-17
Naylor, G.2001Recent bird records (north Cumbria)The Carlisle Naturalist 9: no.1
Tulloch, M.2001Kershope Forest MosaicCumbria Bird Club News 12: no 1
CWT?Foulney annual bird reportFoulney CWT Annual Report
CWT?North Walney annual bird reportNorth Walney CWT Annual Report
CWT?Rockliffe Marsh annual bird and ringing reportRockliffe Marsh CWT Annual Report
EN1951onMoorhouse National Nature Reserve annual bird reportMoorhouse National Nature Reserve Annual report
CCC1964onRavenglass annual bird reportRavenglass Local Nature Reserve Annual Report
Walney B.O.1964onWalney Bird Observatory annual bird and ringing reportWalney Bird Observatory Annual Reports
RSPB1975onGeltsdale annual bird reportGeltsdale RSPB Reserve Annual Reports
RSPB1975onSt Bees Head annual bird reportSt Bees Head RSPB Reserve Annual Reports
NT1984onSandscale Haws annual bird reportSandscale Haws NT Reserve Report
RSPB1986onHodbarrow annual bird reportHodbarrow RSPB Reserve Annual Reports
RSPB1988onHaweswater annual bird reportHaweswater RSPB Reserve Annual Reports
RSPB1989onCampfield Marsh annual bird reportCampfield Marsh RSPB Reserve Annual Reports
LDNPA1995onBassenthwaite National Nature Reserve annual bird and ringing reportBassenthwaite National Nature Reserve Annual Reports