PBC: Tufted Duck

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula | A | Common resident

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Common resident breeder and winter migrant.
Maximum counts of over 100 birds were as follows: 114 at Bainton GP on 4 Jan (BT), 120 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 31 Aug (JJ), 200 at Deeping Lakes NR on 8 Aug (WB) and 203 at Deeping High Bank on 22 Dec (SPD). On the Nene Washes during the first winter period, numbers peaked at 485 on 16 Feb (WeBS), with the majority at March Farmers. With drier conditions during the second winter period, the only birds present were on the RSPB flooded area and the Eldernell Pits with a maximum of 12 in November.
Breeding on the Nene Washes comprised 42 pairs, of which 32 were on the Low Wash. A systematic brood transect on 16 Jun found five broods with 35 ducklings; two females were also flushed from nests. Several fresh broods were also observed after this date (CK). Other breeding reports were received from Baston & Langtoft GP, Ferry Meadows CP and Prior’s Fen GP.

2002

Common resident breeder and winter migrant.
Whilst recorded in every month of the year, most came in the two winter periods. Reported from 26 sites across the PBC area, however there are still relatively few records of this common duck. The largest count was of 220 at Ferry Meadows CP on 1 Jan (MJW). Other notable counts included 214 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 10 Feb (AD). Numbers in the second winter period were generally lower, with typical counts being 69 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 13 Nov (BHS), although 152 at Bainton GP on 17 Nov (BT) was notable. A female at Maxey GP on 21 Nov showed an extensive white face blaze and may have been a hybrid (BHS).
Breeding was confirmed from Baston & Langtoft GP (TW), Fletton BP (BHS), Ferry Meadows CP (MJW) and Ben Johnson Pit, Helpston (BHS). A total of 22 pairs bred at Nene Washes, with 18 of those on High Wash (RSPB). This was the lowest number since 1997 and is probably due to the dry spring.

2001

Common resident breeder and winter migrant.
Present throughout the year on the Nene Washes with winter peak counts of 747 (highest count since 895 in the winter of 1982/83) on 12 Feb and 5 on 16 Dec. 60 pairs bred along the washes with five broods seen (of three, six, six, eight and nine young).

Distribution of breeding Tufted Duck pairs on the Nene Washes

High Wash	7
RSPB reserve	41
Eldernell	0
March Farmers	8
Ring's End	3
Total:	59

At nearby Prior’s Fen GP, present only from Jan-Apr and Aug-Dec. First winter counts of 51 on 12 Feb (PJP), 60 on 25 Feb, 66 on 8 Mar (GW) and 61 on 22 Apr – the latter counts possibly indicating passage. No birds recorded during the breeding season, with birds again present from 15 Aug (3) (SPD) with up to 40 present by the month’s end (GW), up to 23 in Sep (SPD) and an autumn peak of 52 on 27 Oct (possibly indicated arrival of wintering birds or extended passage) (SPD), only 14 in Nov (BHS) and a year max of 74 on 27 Dec (GW). Although present throughout the year at Ferry Meadows CP, very few records received from this well-watched site – up to 13 during Aug (SPD, MJW) and a year max of 108 on 31 Dec (MJW).
Along the Welland corridor, birds present at Bainton GP throughout the year with counts of 69 on 14 Jan, 88 on 11 Feb, 50 on 22 Jul, 64 on 14 Sep, 324 on 4 Nov and 185 on 22 Dec (all BT). At Baston Fen NR, 12 on 6 Feb, seven on 17 Feb and four on 21 Dec (JR) and only one recorded from Baston & Langtoft GP of 329 birds on 14 Jan (AD). Along the River Welland, record from Welland Bank GP Sep-Dec with a max of 68 on 31 Dec (BT), along Deeping High Bank Sep–Dec with counts of 270 on 4 Nov and 150 on 20 Dec (BT) and at Maxey GP Jan-Feb and Sep-Dec with a max of 14 on 14 Jan.
Elsewhere, recorded from Ramsey Fen 8 Jan (one), 20 May (ten) and 20 Jun (two) (RES), eight at Hampton Lakes 23 Apr (SPD), two at White Fen (Benwick) 20 May and four on 20 Jun (RES), at Woodwalton Fen NNR seven on 5 Nov (KW) and two on 26 Nov (MM, OM), at Fletton BP complex Oct–Dec with a max of 45 on 9–10 Dec (SPD), nine at Beeby’s BP and four at Crown Lakes CP 12 Dec (SPD), 121 at Tallington GP 7 Feb (DB), 37 at Tanholt GP 11 Feb (GW) and Orton BP Oct–Dec with a max of 88 on 13 Dec (SPD).

2000

Common winter visitor and widespread but scarce breeder.
On the Nene Washes, out of 61 potential pairs, all but ten were on the RSPB reserve. Eight broods were noted at the Fletton BP complex. Maximum counts out of the breeding season were 323 at Orton BP 6 Aug, 205 at Welland Bank GP 12 Mar, 134 at Deeping High Bank 12 Jan, 132 on 12 Mar and 105 on 16 Jan at Bainton GP and 23 on Deeping Mere 5 Feb. There were 68 at Prior’s Fen GP 27 Apr and 64 at Fletton BP 24 Jun.

1999

Common winter visitor and widespread but scarce breeder.
On the Nene Washes, a peak of 400 on 10 Feb, but just 31 had returned by 23 Dec. Winter maxima of 270 at Bainton GP 7 Nov, 285 at Baston & Langtoft GP mid-Jan, 151 at Deeping High Bank 26 Dec and 130 at Orton BP 24 Feb. Up to 303 non-breeding birds at Orton BP by 29 Jul. Small numbers only noted at several other sites throughout the year.
In the Nene Washes area, 42 pairs present in spring, but most dispersed and only two broods were noted. Elsewhere, 5-6 broods at Baston & Langtoft GP and three broods at Baston Fen NR and Hampton Lakes. Under-recorded elsewhere in the breeding season.

1998

Common resident and winter visitor.
Peak counts included 30 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR (28 Feb), 66 at Ferry Meadows CP (17 Apr), 324 at Bainton GP (5 Dec), 62 at Fletton BP (14 Dec) and c55 at Orton BP (16 Dec). Otherwise, seen at all suitable areas of water.
Nene Washes: Eldernell Pit proved attractive, with 114 there in January and 97 in February, representing more than half the wash total of 191. Numbers dropped off in March but rose sharply with the April flood, peaking at 312 (27 Apr) and 200 throughout May with 105 drakes resulting in 20 broods on the reserve in June and July.