PBC: Gadwall

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Gadwall Anas strepera | A | Common resident

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Locally common resident breeder, common winter migrant.
This species was widespread outside the breeding season, being reported from 22 sites across the PBC recording area. However, the majority of records were of less than 10 birds. Highest counts from various sites were as follows: 54 at Lynch Lake (Ferry Meadows CP) on 7 Jan (GW), 84 at Ferry Meadows CP on 9 Jan (GW), 79 at Bainton GP on 12 Oct (BT) and 225 on the Nene Washes during the February WeBS count.
Breeding away from the Nene Washes was only confirmed at Baston & Langtoft GP, where five adults with four young were recorded on 30 Jun (PA). On the Nene Washes 23 pairs were recorded (see table below). Four fresh broods were noted, totalling 28 young on the Low Wash on 17 Jun (RSPB).

2002

Locally common resident breeder, common winter migrant.
Present within the PBC area throughout the year and recorded from 24 sites. At the Nene Washes, numbers in the first winter period were poor with a peak of 38 on 3 Mar (RSPB). Numbers increased towards the end of the year; 186 reported on 9 Dec (RSPB) were mostly on Eldernell (RSPB Wash) and this was the highest count since 1995/96. Other notable counts included 95 at Bainton GP on 17 Nov and 39 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 21 Dec (AD).
Recorded at Ferry Meadows CP throughout the year, with largest numbers in the second winter period with 48 on 22 Oct (CP) rising to 70 on 30 Nov (GW).
A total of 41 pairs were thought to have bred on the Nene Washes (see table, although their success was not monitored (RSPB). Elsewhere, three juveniles were recorded from Prior’s Fen GP on 25 Jun (BHS). Image © Steve Dudley. Click for bigger version.

Gadwall pairs on the Nene Washes 2002-2003

	2002	2003
Stanground Wash	1	0
High Wash	4	3
RSPB Low Wash	23	15
Eldernell Wash	2	1
March Farmers	10	3
Ring's End	1	1
total	41	23

2001

Locally common resident breeder, common winter migrant.
This species is fairly widespread outside of the breeding season and was reported from 16 sites. Reports are mostly of under 30 birds, so 111 at Prior’s Fen GP 12 Feb (PJP) was exceptional. Other notable counts were 47 at Bainton GP 14 Jan (BT) and 60 on 22 Dec (BT), 68 Tallington GP 21 Jan (TW) and 78 on 11 Feb (TW), 34 Prior’s Fen GP 25 Feb (GW) and 63 on 27 Dec (GW), 34 Ferry Meadows CP 18 Sep (MJW), and up to 52 on Eldernell Pit during Jan–Feb (RSPB) and again in Dec (RSPB). Prior’s Fen GP, Tallington and Bainton GP, plus the Nene Washes when flooded, appear to be the main wintering sites, with mainly transient birds noted elsewhere.
Breeding records away from the Nene Washes remain unusual. On the washes, a total of 48 pairs was reported (down from a record of 61 in 2000). However, some may have been overlooked at March Farmers, where flooding held 136 drakes to late May, but only a small number of females. The warden noted that, not surprisingly, they were keeping well-hidden! On the RSPB reserve, 33 large juveniles were counted on 27 Jun (RSPB).

2000

Widespread winter visitor and local breeder.
Away from the Nene Washes, birds were recorded in small numbers at 11 sites, with peak counts of 111 at Prior’s Fen GP 12 Feb, 44 at Ferry Meadows CP 1 Jan, 32 Bainton GP 32 10 Jan, and 26 at Baston & Langtoft GP, 29 Oct.
There were several reports of one or two birds in late spring/early summer, but no confirmed breeding. By contrast, on the Nene Washes, a record 61 pairs bred (up from 41 in 1999), but birds were relatively scarce in winter with a maximum count of 42 on 19 Nov.

1999

Widespread winter visitor and local breeder.
Peak counts mostly in February, when 31 at Ferry Meadows CP on 8th, 70 at Bainton GP and 100 on Nene Washes on 21st. Up to 41 pairs still present in spring along washes, but breeding success poor. No other breeding records reported. Later maxima of 76 at Langtoft/West End GP 27 Dec, 56 at Bainton GP on 26 Sep and 25 at Ferry Meadows CP on 12 Dec, with small numbers at several other sites during the year.

1998

Common winter visitor.
High count was a huge 232 at Bainton GP on 6 Dec (BT), with 141 there on 7 Nov, 67 on 10 Oct, 65 on 17 Oct, 47 on 8 Feb and 37 on 13 Sep. There were 45 at Drysides BP on 16 Feb (GW). Peak count at Ferry Meadows CP was eight (various dates). Fifteen were at Fletton BP on 26 Nov, with five at Orton BP on 16 Dec and two at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 28 Feb.
Nene Washes: The first winter period saw steady numbers, peaking at 151 on 15 Feb, the majority of the birds occurring on the reserve. Breeding saw 19 pairs on the reserve and a further 11 pairs on the rest of the washes, but there was poor nesting success and only two broods were seen. A poor autumn saw a maximum of seven on Eldernell Pit.