Peterborough Bird Club annual report Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis | C4 | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Rare introduced resident breeder and scarce passage and winter migrant. Records came from 13 sites, with approximately 70% of occurrences involving one or two birds. However, nine were at Orton BP on 27 Nov, 13 on 8 Dec and 11 on 31 Dec (all BHS). Interestingly, there were two males including a black-headed bird on 3 May (SPD, KAF). Ferry Meadows CP held two pairs on Gunwade Lake on 12 Jan (DG) and four birds on 8 Aug (DG). There were five at Old Sulehay, comprising three displaying males and two females on 15 May (BHS). Fletton BP had two pairs on 3 Sep (BHS), two males and two female/immature on 8 Sep (BHS) and five including three males on 16 Sep and 18 Sep (BHS). Deeping Lakes NR had one winter male and two females on 2 Oct (WB) and five females/immatures on 9 Oct (SPD, KAF).
2002	Rare introduced resident breeder and scarce passage and winter migrant. This colourful, introduced duck with the 'bubbling' display was recorded throughout the year at a handful of sites. Up to five birds were at Fletton BP in August (BHS), with six at Ferry Meadows CP on 7 Oct (SPD). Up to three birds were reported from a further eight sites. There were no confirmed records of breeding, although this was strongly suspected at Ben Johnson Pit, Helpston, where a group of six seen on 6 Aug were though to be a female and five juveniles (BHS).
2001	Rare introduced resident breeder and scarce passage and winter migrant. A lone male at Tallington GP 16 Jan–11 Feb (PP, TW) and 6–12 Dec (MS, TW). Singles also at Prior’s Fen GP 25 Feb (GW), Ben Johnson Pit 5 May (TW), Drysides GP 13 May (GW), Ferry Meadows CP 26 Aug and 13 Sep (TD) and Orton BP 13 Dec (SPD); two at Bainton GP 8 Sep (BT) and four there 24 Nov (MH). Spring floods on the Nene Washes held two singles on 13 May (MC, BHS), a pair on 20 May (MF), five on the 22nd (RSPB) and a pair still present at Eldernell 5 Jun (BM, GM). A pair nested at King’s Dyke NR, where up to five birds were present on 24 Apr and 10 May, but no young were seen (GW).
2000	Rare winter visitor and rare breeder. The recent increase in records continued, with reports from nine sites, mostly of 1-2 birds, but up to two pairs on the Nene Washes on 29 Apr and five birds on 10 May; there were four at Ferry Meadows CP on 19 Jan and six there on 14 Feb, three at King’s Dyke NR on 7 Jun and Drysides BP on 10 Jun. No breeding records were received. There was one at Ferry Meadows CP on 2 Apr; at King’s Dyke NR there were two on 16 Apr, one 12–13 May and three on 26 Aug, two at Ben Johnson GP 2 & 6 May, one at Drysides BP on 2 Jul and three at Fletton BP on 24 Aug.
1999	Scarce winter visitor. In the first winter period, birds were reported from Market Deeping, Ferry Meadows CP, Bainton GP, Langtoft West End GP, Peakirk and Baston & Langtoft GP, with a peak count of 16 at Eastfield on 21 Feb (BT). Two late records were of a male at Ferry Meadows CP on 1 May (RD) and a male at Deeping High Bank on 9-10 May (TW, GRH et al). In the second winter period, records were received from Ferry Meadows CP, Deeping Lakes NR, Bainton GP and Maxey GP, with a peak count from Tallington GP of 27 on 25 Dec (TW).
1998	Rare resident and scarce winter visitor. Four displaying birds were seen at Frank's Pit on 14 Apr (BT). Odd birds were noted from Ferry Meadows CP, Baston & Langtoft GP (including a juvenile on 12 Jul), Drysides BP and McCain's BPs and Orton BP (max. five, 7 Dec). Nene Washes: A drake and two females arrived on 22 Apr, with just a pair around into early May and finally a lone drake - suggesting a sitting female - around into early June. However, no brood or signs of the female were seen subsequently.
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