Peterborough Bird Club annual report Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common migrant breeder, common passage migrant and scarce winter migrant. Wintering birds recorded in a number of Peterborough gardens and villages of Bainton, Werrington, Elton and Market Deeping. First spring arrival probably denoted by a singing bird at Stamford on 31 Mar (MC). Nine birds at Southey Wood was the maximum count on 4 May (GRH). The first juveniles were noted in Ferry Meadows CP on 9 Sep, with regular records of birds across the area to the year's end.
2002	Common migrant breeder, common passage migrant and scarce winter migrant. An increasing number of records of over-wintering birds are being reported with individuals recorded from eight locations during the first winter period. Migrants were recorded from 29 Mar, with a big arrival during the first week of April. Records of breeding and/or juveniles included 14 territories at Bedford Purlieus NNR (GW), two juveniles at Ferry Meadows CP on 7 Aug (BHS) and a family party at Orton Brimbles on 20 Jul (MJW). Birds recorded to the end of the year with reports from five locations across the PBC area.
2001	Common migrant breeder, passage migrant and scarce winter migrant. Wintering individuals were recorded from gardens in Longthorpe (a male) 4 Jan (GRH), Orton Waterville on 30 Jan (TSt) and in Elton (male) 18 and 28 Feb (BHS). A female at Yaxley was perhaps the first spring migrant 25 Mar (WB). Birds were widely recorded from several sites throughout the spring and summer and into the autumn. Peak counts came from Ferry Meadows CP with 11+ on 22 April (SPD) and at least 12 on 29 Apr (GRH). Elsewhere, the largest counts were of five each at Elton 25 May (BHS) and Woodwalton Fen NNR 22 Sep (RP). Later autumn records were of single birds at King’s Dyke NR 6 Oct (GW) and Deeping St James 27 Oct (WB). At the end of the year, wintering birds were recorded in gardens in Dogsthorpe 15 Nov (DW), Bretton (female) 30 Nov (DG), Yaxley (female) 23 Dec (KW), West Town, Peterborough (male) 24 Dec (MW) and Longthorpe (female) 25 Dec (GRH).
2000	Common summer visitor, rare in winter. Spring migrants were first noted in number at Bainton GP on 8 Apr, with five singing birds there. Other locations with multiple territories included Ferry Meadows CP and Eldernell. The only record of juveniles was of two at Morborne Hill on 30 Aug. Birds in the first winter period were noted at Yaxley, Deeping St James and Market Deeping. In the second winter period, birds were reported from Peterborough, Milton Park, Deeping St James, Woodwalton Fen NNR (CBR), Morborne Hill and Elton, with three there on 30 Dec (BHS).
1999	Common summer visitor, rare in winter. Winter records were of a female at Helpston on 21 Nov (RA) and of two pairs at Orton Longueville on 5 Dec (JM). Most returning birds were noted in early April, with records on 31 Mar at New Road roundabout, Nobby Gates and at Bluebell Wood, Belham Wood and Orton BP on 1 Apr.
1998	Common summer visitor; rare winter visitor. The only definite wintering bird was one at West Deeping on 18 Jan (BT). The first singing bird was on Morborne Hill on 31 Mar. There were at least ten territories in Milton Park (WEW). Other birds were noted at Ferry Meadows CP, Baston & Langtoft GP, Orton Mere, Bluebell Wood, Deeping St James, Maxey GP, Helpston, Castor Hanglands NNR, Baston Fen NR, Dogsthorpe and Longthorpe. Late records came from Beeby's BP on 9 Oct, Ferry Meadows CP on 15 Oct and Deeping St James on 13 Dec (BT). Nene Washes: Eldernell Pits held two territories, compared with none last season. Birds were noted on the wash on 27 Apr, 18 May and 11 Oct.
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