Peterborough Bird Club annual report Blackbird Turdus merula | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Peak counts of 50+ at Deeping Lakes NR on 23 Oct (WB), 40+ at Serpentine BP on 28th of the same month (GW) and a winter count of 25 at Yaxley on 7 Jan (KW). Image © Phil Ackerman. Click for larger version
2002	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. As with many familiar and common species, the Blackbird was under-reported in 2002. The largest counts came during the second winter period, after the resident population was swelled by continental immigrants with a peak count of 127 at Eldernell on 30 Dec (SPD). Incredibly, there was only one record of breeding activity. A male with an almost all-white tail was seen at Fengate 13 Jun (BHS), while an almost pure white bird was at Ferry Meadows CP on 25 Feb (MH).
2001	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Perhaps the most common species in the area but only reported from 12 sites. Counts of 31 at Ferry Meadows CP 2 Nov (BHS), 30 at Stilton 20 Dec (JD), up to 20 at Folksworth and 14 at Morborne Hill 22 Jan (BHS), up to 15 at Eldernell Pits in Jan-Feb (RSPB), nine at Orton BP 10 Nov, eight at Deeping St James (BT) and seven at Peterborough Cemetery 15 Jan (BHS). Singing birds reported from Peterborough City Centre and the Cathedral (MW) and a minimum of five territories at Eldernell Pits (RSPB). First fledged young noted in Elton on 17 Apr with one pair raising three broods here (BHS). Movement noted on 10 Feb when 27 were counted flying west in five minutes at Longthorpe (GRH).
2000	Common resident. Records were well-distributed throughout the area with notable counts including 106 in three feeding flocks at Yaxley Fen on 6 Jan, 100+ in a 'fall' at Orton BP on 20 Oct and on 7 Dec, 78 at Eldernell.
1999	Common resident. Largest counts were of 50 at Ferry Meadows CP on 12 Nov (RH) and 50 at Yaxley on 24 Dec (AF).
1998	Common resident. Widespread. Large counts included 22 in Peterborough on 6 Jan (BHS) and a flock of 18, presumed Scandinavian birds with Redwings in Bluebell Wood on 20 Nov (GRH). Nene Washes: Highest counts were 18 on 11 Oct and 67 on 8 Nov.
	report home | species index | introduction | next species | contributors | contact