Peterborough Bird Club annual report Garganey Anas querquedula | A | Locally scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant and rare migrant breeder. First record of returning migrant birds was a pair at the Nene Washes on 17 Mar (JT), with four pairs being present on 21 Mar (JT), unprecedented numbers for March. The majority of records were from the Nene Washes with 1-5 birds being reported by a number of observers through April and May. The last record from the Washes was one on 18 Aug (BS). Four pairs were present throughout the Washes with one pair on the High Wash, two pairs on the Low Wash and one pair on Eldernell Wash. No broods were seen to prove breeding. Away from the Washes, birds were reported from six sites: a male at Baston Fen NR on 4 Apr (JR), a pair was at Ferry Meadows CP between 14-23 Apr (MJW et al) - pictured left. A single male was at Prior’s Fen GP on 7 May (BHS) with a female at Deeping Lakes NR on 31 Aug (WB) and 27 Sep (MW). Singles were at Drysides BP on 17 Apr (SPD) and Baston & Langtoft GP on 30 Aug (JJ). The last record of the year was of a single female at Deeping Lakes NR on 16 Oct (WB). Image © Steve Dudley. Click for bigger version.
2002	Scarce passage migrant and rare migrant breeder. The majority of records came from the Nene Washes, Dog-in-a-Doublet and Prior’s Fen GP areas. The first record was of a single male at Nene Washes on 19 Mar (JT), followed by two drakes at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 23 Mar (BM), the latest record being on 14 Sep at Prior’s Fen GP (SPD). Present on the Nene Washes from 19 Mar-5 Sep (mo) with counts of five males and a female together on 11 May (SC). Single birds were noted at Prior’s Fen GP on four dates between 24 May-14 Sep (GW, BHS, SPD). Away from the Nene Washes area, the only records were of a single at Deeping Lakes NR on 4 Aug (WB) and a further single at Ferry Meadows CP on 16-17 Aug (MJW). A potential seven pairs bred on the Washes with two near-flying juveniles recorded on 10 Jul (RSPB) and two juveniles seen at west end of RSPB reserve on only 7 Sep (MJW).
2001	Scarce passage migrant and rare migrant breeder. Recorded from only four sites. On the Nene Washes, present from 3 Apr–15 Oct with the main arrival noted on 24 Apr. 11 pairs bred but only one brood (of seven young) seen (RSPB). The only records away from the washes were at Ferry Meadows CP, where a fem/imm took up residence on the nature reserve 28 Jul–20 Sep (MJW et al), two at Prior’s Fen GP 23 Aug, and an adult female at Fletton BP 14–16 Oct (SPD, MW).
2000	Scarce passage migrant; breeds Nene Washes. The first returning bird was on the Nene Washes 24 Mar, then a steady arrival there 6-18 Apr, when there were up to 11 present (CK). There were 1-3 at Ferry Meadows CP 7-24 Apr, seen by many observers, and two at Langtoft West End GP 7 Apr (AD) were the only other spring records. Twelve pairs bred on the Nene Washes and ten fledged young were on the RSPB reserve 26 Jun (CK). Last recorded on the washes 20 Aug, when three were present. The only other autumn records were two at Prior’s Fen GP 23 Aug and singles there and at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR 12-13 Sep (DP), and at Drysides GP 17 Sep (GW).
1999	Scarce passage migrant; breeds Nene Washes. Typical passage records of a pair at Warmington Mill 4 Apr (BHS), one at Ferry Meadows CP 18 Mar (DB) and 29 Apr (NC), after a pair there 26th (RH) and a single at Baston & Langtoft GP 25 Apr (DB). Interesting records from the Baston area of single males at one site in June/July (EJR) and an adult female nearby in early August with a second bird, possibly a juvenile, increasing to three birds by 13th (TW, AB). The Nene Washes held 6-9 pairs after first arrival on 31 Mar, with at least two broods hatched. Up to seven birds noted regularly to 31 Aug (CK).
1998	Scarce summer visitor; migrant. Drakes were noted at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 18 May (BHS) and Stanground Wash the same day (ARF). Nene Washes: The first bird was a female on 2 Apr. Up to three were present through April with the main arrival on 9 May, when seven drakes were seen together. During May and June, birds were recorded daily, mostly from the reserve, though one was at Ring's End (24 May) and on the High Wash (18 May). Three females successfully raised 24 young to the flying stage and small groups of up to 11 were present through Jul-Aug. Last date was two on 26 Sep.
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