PBC: Reed Bunting

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus | A | Common resident

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Common and widespread resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant.
The peak count during 2003 was of 130 birds together on the Nene Washes on 6 Jan (JT). Other notable counts included 56+ seen coming into roost at Woodwalton Fen NN R on 12 Jan (SPD, KAF), 50 at Deeping Fen Farm on 31 Jan (PNW), 50+ on the Nene Washes on 29 Mar (SPD, KAF).
Breeding records saw an increase in singing males on the Nene Washes, with 121 recorded during 2003. At other sites, singing birds at Baston Fen NR, Ferry Meadows CP, King’s Dyke NR, Stibbington GP and Swaddywell Pit.

2002

Common and widespread resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant.
Another increase in records with birds reported from at least 46 sites with several birds appearing in gardens during both winter periods. Larger counts include 51 at March Farmers on 14 Jan (RSPB), up to 20 regularly at the Eldernell Pits feeding station throughout Jan and 80-90 at Swaddywell Pit on 16 Nov (RAs). During the breeding season, 91 singing males were recorded along the Nene Washes. Elsewhere, recorded during the breeding season from a further seven locations.

Summary of singing male Reed Buntings on Nene Washes

	2002	2003
Stanground	5	n/c
High Wash	16	17
RSPB Low Wash	27	51
Eldernell Wash	12	22
March Farmers	19	16
Ring's End	12	15
Total	91	121

2001

Common and widespread resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant.
During the first winter period, the largest counts came from the Eldernell Pits feeding station with 72 there 29 Jan (RSPB). Elsewhere, counts of 21 at Ramsey Fen 8 Jan (RES), 50 at Eldernell 3 Feb (WB), 10 Hill Farm, Thorney, 25 Feb (GW), 20 at Ferry Meadows CP 26 Mar (CH) and 30 at Baston Fen NR 29 Mar (WB).
Birds also recorded from Ramsey St Mary's, Elton, Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Orton Longueville (three in a garden 27 Jan) (SS), Benwick, Morborne Hill and Newborough.

Summary of pairs of Reed Buntings on the Nene Washes:
Stanground Wash: 1
High Wash: 15
RSPB Low Wash: 36
Eldernell Wash: 24
Eldernell Pits: 4
March Farmers: 6
Ring's End: 16

Elsewhere, under-recorded during the breeding season with the only records from the followings sites (max numbers of birds in brackets) – Ferry Meadows CP (eight), Bainton GP (four), Hampton Hargate (three), Orton BP (two), Nassington (two), Ramsey Fen (eight), White Fen, Benwick (four), and Newborough (two).
During the second winter period, recorded from the following sites (max numbers in brackets) – Prior’s Fen GP (17), Haddon (one), Orton BP (three), Deeping Lakes NR (10), Ferry Meadows CP (two), Eldernell (six), Fletton BP (three), near Castor (six), Nene Washes (48 on 16 Dec) (RSPB), Orton Longueville (one in garden on 23 Dec) (SS) and Orton Brimbles (one).

2000

Common resident.
Recorded at Conington Fen, Morborne Hill, Baston & Langtoft GP, Orton BP and at a garden in Orton. At the Nene Washes, 92 pairs bred. Notable counts were 35 at Ramsey Fen on 3 Dec, 30 at Orton BP on 29 Dec, 30+ at Milton Park on 29 Dec, 19 at Nene Washes on 13 Feb, 16 at Stanground Wash on 13 Feb, 16+ at Bainton GP on 5 Mar, 15 at Baston Fen NR on 30 Jan, 15 at Drysides BP on 16 Jan.

1999

Common resident.
Reported from Newborough, Elton, Morborne Hill, Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Bainton GP, Ferry Meadows CP, Baston & Langtoft GP and Thorney Dyke. A count at this last location on 20 Mar of 30 birds, and a similar number at Elton on 30 Jan, were the largest counts.

1998

Common resident.
Peak counts were 20 on Stanground Wash (4th and 10 Mar, GW) and 15 at Baston on 24 Jan (TW). Others were recorded at Ferry Meadows CP, Eye Green, Dogsthorpe, Milton Golf Course and Crown Lakes CP.
Nene Washes: Post-flood breeding numbers as follows:
High Wash: 8
RSPB Low Wash: 37
Eldernell Wash: 13
Eldernell Pits: 5.

The floods halved the reserve total of last year and March Farmers was totally unsuitable. The counter drain was not surveyed. Highest winter counts were from March Farmers with 26 on 15 Feb and 22 on 6 Dec, when the wash total was 37.