Peterborough Bird Club annual report Dunlin Calidris alpina | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common winter and passage migrant but uncommon away from the Nene Washes. Again, most records were from the Nene Washes with 11-42 present during Jan-Feb with 70 there on 23 Feb increasing to 250 in Mar (RSPB). Elsewhere during this period up to three birds seen at Etton GP, Prior’s Fen GP, Ferry Meadows CP, Nene Valley Railway and Deeping Lakes NR. Spring passage recorded from Ferry Meadows CP, Hampton Lakes, Maxey GP, Orton BP, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR. Returning birds noted from 3 Jul, with a single at Ferry Meadows CP (DG). Up to eight birds were present on the Nene Washes during Nov-Dec; with up to three birds regularly at Prior’s Fen GP until 15 Nov with 8 there on 22 Jul (BHS). Up to three birds recorded from a further seven locations.
2002	Common winter and passage migrant but uncommon away from the Nene Washes. Most records were from the Nene Washes, with between 160-243 recorded from 10 Feb-8 Mar (RSPB). Elsewhere, 1-2 birds seen at Fletton BP, Maxey GP, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR. During spring passage, numbers on the Nene Washes peaked at 60 on 16 May (RSPB). Passage birds were also recorded at Baston & Langtoft GP, Fletton GP, King’s Dyke NR, Orton Longueville, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR. Summer birds reported from Ferry Meadows CP, Fletton BP, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR. During the second winter period, regular sightings from Nene Washes from 31 Oct with a peak of 100 near Dog-in-a-Doublet on 2 Dec (BHS) with 55 there on 13 Nov (RSPB). Other notable counts were 48+ on Prior’s Fen GP on 11 Dec (SPD). Elsewhere, 1-2 birds at Hampton West Lake, Stamford and Etton GP.
2001	Common winter and passage migrant but uncommon away from the Nene Washes. During Jan–Mar, peak counts on the Nene Washes of 70 on 15 Jan and 120 on 1 Mar (RSPB). Ramsey Fen held two birds at Mere Farm 18 Feb (RES). During spring, passage birds seen on the Nene Washes from 17 Apr with 30 on 28th, 18 on 9 May, 1–7 from 10th–22nd and 4–9 birds from 1–8 Jun (RSPB). Deeping High Bank held two on 7 May (TW) with singles at Prior’s Fen GP on 10th (GW), 17th (GW) and 22 May (GW) with two on 31st (GW). Deeping Lakes NR held singles on 11th (AD) and 18 May (TW) and four on 19th (TW). The first returning bird was at Deeping Lakes NR 8 Jul (AD) with a single at Prior’s Fen GP on 13 Jul, three at the latter site on 17th (GW),1–3 there 27 Jul–1 Oct (max four on 27 Sep) (BHS) with one 23 Oct (SPD), four on 1 Nov (BHS) and two on 10 Nov (SPD). The Nene Washes held three on 21–22 Jul (MW, RMP, JO) and four on 28th (RMP, JO) with other Jul birds at Deeping Lakes NR with two on 26th (TW) and one on 29th (WB). From August, the Nene Washes held up to six from 4–7 Aug, 1–6 from 17 Sep–15 Oct and 60–160 from 10–26 Nov (RSPB). Elsewhere, singles were at Fletton BP 1 Oct (SPD), Deeping Lakes NR 7th (AD), Fletton BP 14–16 Oct (MW et al) and Deeping Lakes NR 24 Nov (WB). In Dec, up to 54 on the Nene Washes (RSPB) and up to five at Fletton BP on the 9th, 10th and 24 Dec (SPD, BHS).
2000	Common winter visitor and migrant on Nene Washes, but uncommon elsewhere. In the first winter period at the Nene Washes, a maximum of 60 were seen in January, 56 on 27 Feb and up to 130 in March. Elsewhere, singles at Hampton Lakes on 28 Feb, 24th and 28 Mar with two there on 12th and 20 Mar, one at Baston & Langtoft GP on 3 Mar and a single at Drysides BP 5 Mar. In April, a maximum of 40 at the washes on 1 Apr, with 36 on 18 Apr. Three were at Hampton Lakes 23 Apr. In May at the Nene Washes, peaks of 8-10 between 8-10 May and ten on 25-26 May. Singles were noted at Baston & Langtoft GP 1st, 6th and 12-13 May, with three on 21st and 23 May. Two were at Hampton Lakes 6 May and Stowe scrape 7 May, with one at Fletton BP 14 May. One was present throughout June at the Nene Washes, with three there on 10 Jun. Return passage was noted at Deeping Lakes NR, with three 15 Jul and singles on 17th, 20th and 30 Jul; two were present 6 Aug and one 30 Sep. There were three at Hampton Lakes 6 Aug. Baston & Langtoft GP had singles 22nd and 31 Jul, 6 Aug and 9 Sep, with two on 4 Aug. Two were at Ferry Meadows CP 20 Jul. The Nene Washes recorded up to seven in July, with nine in early August and 12 on 10 Aug. Sixty-two were noted at the washes on 24 Nov, with 1-3 seen occasionally to the end of the year.
1999	Common winter visitor and migrant on Nene Washes, but uncommon elsewhere. On Nene Washes, up to 110 were on March Farmers throughout January. Up to 150 moved onto the RSPB reserve during February, with a shift back at March Farmers peaking at 320 on 21 Mar. Up to 15 were on the reserve daily in April and May, with a maximum of 18 on 13 May. Hampton Lakes had a light passage with birds on 17 dates 13 Mar-27 May, with maxima of four on 13 Mar and 17 May. There were two at Baston & Langtoft GP 8 Mar and one at Fletton BP 9 Apr. Only one record in June came from the Nene Washes 15 Jun. From Jul-Oct, 1-8 were seen irregularly on the washes. Baston & Langtoft GP had two and 30-60 were on the Nene Washes Nov-Dec. Elsewhere, a single was at Hampton 20 Nov and five were at Deeping High Bank 19 Dec.
1998	Scarce winter visitor, migrant. Up to four birds were at Baston & Langtoft GP on 11 dates between 21 Mar-23 Sep. Single birds were seen at Ferry Meadows CP on 12 Mar, 13 Jul and 29 Jul, and singles were at Tallington GP and Wyman's Bridge on 13 Jul. Nene Washes: A regular group built up to 111 in January, remaining through February and building to 350 on 15 Mar, but all were gone by the end of the month. Spring passage from 22 Apr saw 1-4 daily, with peaks of 37 (9 May), 12 (27 May), 18 (3 Jun) and the last being seven on 11 Jun. Autumn passage occurred from 2 Jul-11 Aug, with peaks of 14 on 12 Jul and 11 (26th and 29 Jul). A bird seen on 6 Sep and 23 Oct may have been the same long-stayer. Winter build-up increased from 12 (30 Oct) to 120 (21 Dec).
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