Peterborough Bird Club annual report Curlew Numenius arquata | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant. The first was at March Farmers/RSPB reserve on 2 Jan, with four birds on the reserve on 31 Jan (RSPB). Singles were seen at Dog-in-a-Doublet, Prior's Fen GP, March Farmers and Eldernell on five dates between 12-21 Feb, possibly the same bird. One was at Drysides Arable on 23 Mar, with the next on the RSPB reserve on 16 Apr. There was then a gap in records until 28 Jun, when three flew south-west at Prior's Fen GP (MW). Single birds were again on the Nene Washes on two dates during July and August and over Langtoft on 17 Jul (one) and 20 Jul (three, JJ). Singles were at Prior's Fen GP (29 Jul, 20 Aug) and the High Wash (16th and 22 Aug). The peak count was of eight birds (five adults, three juveniles) which paused at Deeping Lakes NR on 25 Aug (MW); one at Prior's Fen GP on 29 Aug was the last until 12 Oct, when birds were again at Baston & Langtoft GP and RSPB Nene Washes (until 5 Nov). In October, there were singles at Eldernell (16th) and Prior's Fen GP (17th), with two at RSPB Nene Washes (18th, JT) and one around the Eldernell/RSPB reserve area (26th-28th). One was near the Rowing Lake, Longthorpe, on 6 Nov (GRH) and the last of the year was at Eldernell on 8 Nov (SG).
2002	Scarce passage migrant. Singles were seen at Fletton BP on 14 Feb (BHS) and at Deeping Lakes NR on 3 Mar (TW). One was seen at the Nene Washes on 10 occasions between 16 Mar-12 May (MO); singles on return passage there on 7 Jun and 3-17 July (RSPB). Two birds flew west at Great Raveley on 26 Jun (DMcN). A group of 11 flew south on the Nene Washes on 2 Aug (RSPB) with further singles on 7 Aug, 2 Sep and 13 Sep (RSPB). There was one at Ferry Meadows CP on 19 Aug (SPD) and another on 2 Sep (MJW).
2001	Scarce passage migrant. The first of the year was noted from Baston & Langtoft GP 25 Mar (WB), with this or a different bird there 1 Apr (TW). A noteworthy flock of 26 east over the Perkins Parkway 29 Mar (RB). A single was on the Nene Washes on 9 Apr with two there 8 Jun (RSPB). In summer, a bird heard calling over South Bretton 6 Jul (DG) and two at Ferry Meadows CP 8 Jul (TD). Prior’s Fen GP recorded singles on 1st and 28 Aug (GW) with three on 15 Aug (SPD) and two on 8 Sep (SPD). At Ferry Meadows CP, two south-west 8 Aug (TD) with two on the Nene Washes 20 Aug (RSPB). The latter site had a poor year for this species with further sightings involving a single in the area from 20 Sep-14 Nov and two 7-8 Dec (RSPB). One also at Deeping Lakes NR 23 Sep (AD).
2000	Uncommon migrant. Three were present at the Nene Washes during January. Three flew west calling at Eldernell 6 Feb, with one noted on the washes throughout February, 1-2 during March and a single on several dates between April and June. A small passage was noted in July with two 1 Jul, three 4 Jul, six 11 Jul, singles 12 Jul, 23 Jul and three on 24-25 Jul. In August, five were seen 22 Aug, then three 7 Sep, five 20 Sep, a single present to 12 Oct, when six arrived with eight by 22 Oct. Four remained to 25 Oct with a single on 29 Oct. This species is scarce away from the washes, with singles noted only at Baston & Langtoft GP 7 Apr, Deeping Lakes NR and Deeping High Bank 16 Sep.
1999	Uncommon migrant. Away from the Nene Washes, singles were at Ferry Meadows CP 26 Dec, Elton 5 Apr and Fletton BP 21 Apr. Up to ten were at the Nene Washes throughout January with five in February and singles recorded on four dates 20 Mar-29 Apr. In the autumn/second winter period, singles were noted on ten days 21 Jun-22 Oct. Up to three birds remained in the area to the year's end.
1998	Scarce migrant. Two were at Baston & Langtoft GP on 7 Feb and 31 Aug (TW), with two at Helpston on 26 Aug (CBR). Singles were at Ferry Meadows CP on 28 Sep (RAH) and 2 Oct (DG), Woodwalton Fen NNR on 22 Apr and Helpston 4 Jul. Nene Washes: One was present from 15 Mar-14 Apr, when four passed through. One was noted from 3-4 Jun, with up to three in July. An August build-up peaked at 17 on 27 Aug, with seven to 2 Sep, then singles regularly with two on 6 Nov, five at the month's end and then nine from mid-December.
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