Peterborough Bird Club annual report Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce resident breeder and common winter migrant. There appears to be three main roost areas in the area: Eldernell Decoy/March Farmers, Ferry Meadows CP and Welland Bank Pits. Birds from these roosts are likely to disperse to feed elsewhere in the PBC area. Notable counts included 59 at Eldernell Decoy/March Farmers on 12 Jan and 51 there on 21 Mar (RSPB). At Ferry Meadows CP, counts peaked at 56 birds on 12 Nov (CP); 25 birds were together at Deeping Lakes NR on 13 Sep (RB, WB). There were no confirmed records of breeding received this year; the numbers of inland breeding Cormorants is steadily increasing and there are unconfirmed reports of breeding colonies at Deeping Lakes NR.
2002	Scarce resident breeder and common winter migrant. The peak count was of 40 birds on the Nene Washes on 12 Mar (RSPB). Other notable counts included 38 at Ferry Meadows CP on 8 Dec (MJW), 18 at Ramsey Fen on 24 Nov (RES), 15 on wires over New Cut at Farcet Fen on 11 Dec (SPD) and 14 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 10 Feb (RPa). Birds showing characteristics of the continental sinensis race recorded from Ferry Meadows CP, Maxey GP, Prior’s Fen GP, Stanley Park (Peterborough), Tallington GP, Deeping Lakes NR and Woodwalton Fen NNR. No confirmed breeding records were received. Image © Steve Dudley. Click for a larger version.
2001	Scarce resident breeder and common winter migrant. At Deeping Mere, 91+ on 3 Jan was the only record from this (apparently) substantial breeding colony (PJP). However, at the Little Paxton GP colony in the Ouse Valley, mid-winter roosts are not thought to include many resident birds, with breeders arriving later. The Deeping count, together with up to 51 roosting on the Nene Washes during Jan–Feb (RSPB), probably indicates the size of our wintering population, which commutes to feed over a wide area including west throughout the east Midlands. Up to 38 feeding on the Nene Washes in late winter/early spring (RSPB). Maximum counts elsewhere: three at Woodwalton Fen NNR 5 Nov (KW), eight at Prior’s Fen GP 25 Feb (GW), 12 Ferry Meadows CP 2 Oct (SPD), six at Maxey GP 7 Oct and 4 Nov (BT), 13 on Nene Washes 4 Nov (BT) and a high count of 36 Ferry Meadows CP, 31 Dec (MJW). The only breeding reports were of two pairs at Lord's Holt, both of which mysteriously deserted on 10 May (RSPB).
2000	Widespread in all seasons. Under-recorded, with records from just eight sites. Maximum counts were 51 at Deeping Mere 5 Feb, where 20+ pairs bred, 40 on the Nene Washes 13 Feb, and up to 39 there during November and December. There were 27 at Marholm 4 Jul, 14 at Bainton GP and Ferry Meadows CP 1 Jan and six at Woodwalton Fen NNR 10 May. At least one pair bred at Eldernell. No records were received from Holme Fen NNR.
1999	Widespread in all seasons. Breeding pairs noted at Eldernell (two), Holme Fen NNR (1+) and Deeping Mere. However, the latter site is reputed to be one of the largest inland colonies in Britain. Most records were of 1-3 birds, some over urban areas. A maximum winter count of 19 at Ferry Meadows CP in February (where roosting was noted for the first time (CBR)), followed by a spring influx through the Nene Washes, peaking at 33 in February and a record count of 59 on 23 Mar.
1998	Common resident. Peak counts were 24 at Holme Fen NNR (13 Mar, ARF), and five at Ferry Meadows CP (undoubtedly too low a figure). Ten were on Fletton BP (15 Nov) and ten were on the Nene Washes (22 Feb). A sinensis race bird was at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 21 Feb (BHS). Nene Washes: Recorded every month with highest counts of 28 through March, but 10-15 was more the norm. Stranded fish on March Farmers provided a feast for 90 birds in early June. Scarcest in July and August. Two pairs nested on Eldernell Wash but failed, probably as a result of intentional disturbance.
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