PBC Bird Sightings November/December 2000 compiled by George Walthew

A Gannet was seen flying over at Petrol Dump Pit at dawn on 1 Nov, heading west (AL).

The 26 Mute Swans which were at Tongue End on 12 Nov on oilseed rape had increased to 108 by the 20th (JR). 105 Bewick’s Swans were at March Farmers on 27 Nov (CM), five at Lord’s Holt on 2 Dec (MH), 100 plus at March Farmers on 3 Dec (MF, RA), 80 at Eldernell on 9 Dec (GRH) with 100 plus there on 26 Dec (GS). Two Shelduck were at Eldernell on 26 Dec (GS). 37 Wigeon were at Baston Fen on 12 Oct (JR) and 36 there 18 Dec (JR). 2000 were at Eldernell on 26 Dec (GS). 30 Gadwall were at Baston and Langtoft GP on 19 Nov (TW), 18 at Tallington Pits on 19 Nov (TW) and 10 at Bainton Pits on 23 Dec (MH). 64 Teal were at Ferry Meadows on 30 Nov (DB). 71 Mallard were at Baston Fen on 9 Dec (JR). Two Pintail were at March Farmers on 27 Nov (CM), six in flight there on 3 Dec (MF) and 30 at Eldernell on 26 Dec (GS). Eight Shoveler were at Ferry Meadows on 30 Nov (DB). Nine Red-crested Pochard were at Baston and Langtoft GP on 25 Nov, eight there on 3rd and 16 Dec, and 16 on 23 Dec (TW). A Goldeneye was at Baston and Langtoft GP on 19 Nov, four on 25 Nov and three on 23 Dec (TW). Seven were at Tallington Pits on 19 Nov with three there on 17 Dec (TW). One at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR). Three at March Farmers on 3 Dec (MF) and 14 at Bainton Pits on 23 Dec (MH). A male Smew was at Baston and Langtoft GP on 25 Nov (MH) &(TW). A male Goosander was seen at Paston Parkway on 21 Dec (TW). A male Ruddy Duck was at Tallington Pits on 19 Nov and 17 Dec (TW).

A Red Kite was seen at Kings Cliffe on 9 Dec (CM). A Marsh Harrier was at Eldernell on 26 Nov (RA, GRH), one on 9 Dec (GRH) and 26 Dec (GS). A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Eldernell on 9 Dec (GRH). A male Sparrowhawk was seen at Baston and Langtoft GP on 3 Dec (TW), at City Centre on 13 Dec (GRH) and at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR). There was a Kestrel at Newborough on 16th 24th and 29 Nov (DB), at Drysides Pit on 24 Nov (GW) and four at Eldernell on 26 Dec (GS). A male Merlin was at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 18 Nov (MF), at Orton Mere on 9 Dec (GRH) and one at Eldernell on 26 Dec (GS). An escaped Saker Falcon was at Eldernell on 18th and 19 Nov (DP, MHk). A Peregrine was at Eldernell on 18 Nov mobbing a Saker Falcon (DP), again on 24 Nov (RA), 26 Nov (GRH), 2 Dec (MH) and two on 9 Dec (GRH). One at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR).

A Water Rail was at Baston Fen on 13 Nov (JR), eight were at Woodwalton Fen on 16 Dec (M&OM) and two were calling at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR).

25 Golden Plovers were seen flying over at Baston Fen on 25 Nov (JR), 500 were at Eldernell on 26 Nov (GRH) and 200 plus were at Glebe Farm, Farcet on 3 Dec (AL). Two Grey Plovers were at Lord’s Holt on 2 Dec (DP). 1500 Lapwing were at Deeping Fen on 23 Dec (TW) and 1000 plus at Maxey on 23 Dec (MH). 50 Dunlin were at Eldernell on 9 Dec (GRH). Two Ruff were at Eldernell on 26 Nov and 9 Dec (GRH). A Jack Snipe was at Woodwalton Fen on 19 Nov (DP, MHk), two on 27 Dec (RA, MF). 45 Snipe were at Stanground Wash on 5 Dec (GW). A Woodcock was seen near Helpston on 25 Nov (BS) and another at Ferry Meadows on 10 Dec (DG). 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Eldernell on 9 Dec (GRH). About 20 Redshank were at Eldernell on 26 Nov (GRH), 12 at March Farmers on 3 Dec (MF), one at Cross Drain on 23 Dec (TW) and three at Baston and Langtoft GP on 27 Dec (TW). 230 Black-headed Gulls were at Ferry Meadows on 30 Nov (DB).

70 Stock Doves were at Baston and Langtoft GP on 25 Nov (TW). About 900 Woodpigeon were at Baston and Langtoft GP on 19 Nov (TW). A Barn Owl was at Farcet Fen on 6 Nov (AL), at Eldernell on 26 Nov (GRH) and 26 Dec (GS), at Petrol Dump Pit on 30 Nov (AL), at March Farmers on 3 Dec (MF), and at Baston Fen on 9 Dec (MH). A Little Owl was roosting at Newborough on 24th and 29 Nov (DB), and one at Deeping High Bank on 3 Dec (TW). A Long-eared Owl was at Ferry Meadows on 10 Dec (DG). A Short-eared Owl was at Eldernell on 26 Nov (GRH, RA), at March Farmers on 3 Dec (MF, RA) and two at Deeping High Bank on 25 Dec (TW).

A Kingfisher was at Baston Fen on 22 Oct (JR), at Petrol Dump Pit on 28 Oct (AL) and at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR). Green Woodpeckers were seen at Tallington Pits, Baston and Langtoft GP, Market Deeping (TW) and Bainton Pits (MH). Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Baston and Langtoft GP (TW), Drysides Pit (GW), Baston Fen (JR), and Market Deeping (TW).

A Water Pipit was at Lord’s Holt on 2 Dec (DP). A Yellow Wagtail was at Newborough on 16 Nov (DB). A Grey Wagtail was at Baston Fen on 22 Oct (JR). Two Stonechats were at Baston Fen from 14 Oct to 9 Dec (KKH) &(JR); two at Eldernell on 18th (DP), four on 19 Nov (GRH), one on 26 Nov (RA, GRH); two at Stanground Wash on 24 Nov and 5 Dec (GW); one at Baston and Langtoft GP on 25 Nov (TW); two at Lord’s Holt on 2 Dec (MH). 10 Fieldfare were at Morborne Hill on 23 Nov (BS), 80 at Newborough on 29 Nov (DB), 90 on a field at Crown Lakes on 3 Dec (GW) and 20 at Maxey on 23 Dec (MH). 16 Redwings were at Baston Fen on 22 Oct (JR) and seven at Tallington Pits on 19 Nov (TW). 12 were at Morborne Hill on 23 Nov (BS).

A Blackcap was at Woodwalton Fen on 19 Nov (DP, MHk), at Longthorpe on 26 Nov (MB), at Bretton on 26 Nov, and Bluebell Wood on 27 Nov (DG). Two Chiffchaffs were at Woodwalton Fen on 19 Nov (DP, MHk) and 16 Dec (M&OM), and one at Baston Fen on 9 Dec (AB, JR). 27 Long-tailed Tits were at Baston Fen on 25 Nov in 2 flocks (JR). A Willow Tit was at Woodwalton Fen on 19 Nov (DP, MHk) and another at Morborne Hill on 23 Nov (BS). A Jay were at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR).

120 Starlings were in a garden at Stanground on 1 Dec (GW). 60 Chaffinches were at Newborough on 16 Nov and 65 there on 29 Nov (DB). A Brambling was at Deeping Fen Farm on 16 Dec (TW). 15 Goldfinches were at Baston Fen on 25 Nov (JR). A Siskin was at Baston Fen on 22 Oct (JR). 16 Linnets were at Crown Lakes on 3 Dec (GW). 70 Lesser Redpolls were at Woodwalton Fen on 9 Dec (RP) and 15 on 16 Dec (M&OM). Two plus Mealy Redpolls were at Woodwalton Fen on 9 Dec (RP). There were 2 Bullfinches at Morborne Hill on 23 Nov (BS). A Snow Bunting was at Eldernell on 18th (JO) and 19 Nov (DP, MHk). 15 Yellowhammers were at Newborough on 29 Nov (DB). A Corn Bunting was at Eldernell on 18 Nov (JO), 11 at Drysides Pit on 24 Nov (GW), 25 roosting at Woodwalton Fen on 16 Dec (M&OM) and 43 at Baston Fen on 18 Dec (JR).

Abbreviations

BP - Brick Pit, GP - Gravel Pit

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