Peterborough Bird Club annual report Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa | A | Locally fairly common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. Rare away from the Nene Washes. As normal, most records came from the Nene Washes. The first record was of 18 on 12 Feb (RSPB); numbers increased over the next few weeks with 380 present on 11 March, 150 on 28 March and up to 300 present there between 4-16 Apr (RSPB). A single bird at Deeping Lakes NR on 4 Jun (MW) was the only record away from the Nene Washes during the first half of the year. Numbers in second half of the year were much lower: three flew south at Deeping Lakes NR on 6 Jul (BT) and three went east at Prior’s Fen GP on 17 Jul (BHS). There were only two records after the end of August. All records during August were on the Nene Washes with up to 10 birds present; there were no records during September and the last records were of single birds on 12 Oct at Prior’s Fen GP (SPD, KAF) and Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR (KD). A total of 32 pairs bred on the Washes during 2003 and fledged a minimum of 27 young; 19 of these were colour-ringed (RSPB). Image © Steve Dudley. Click for a larger version.
2002	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. Rare away from the Nene Washes. A flock of 170 was at the Nene Washes on 5 Feb (JT) with 250+ there on 23 Mar (WB, KAF, MW). Elsewhere, one at Padholme PS on 6 Jan (MW), two at Deeping Lakes NR on 3 Mar (TW), and a single bird at Ferry Meadows CP 13-18 Mar (DG, BHS, MJW). During the second winter period, 45 were at Eldernell on 20 Nov (BHS) with 50 elsewhere on the Nene Washes on 19 Nov (RSPB) with 13 still present on 11 Dec (RSPB). The only record away from the Nene Washes in this period was a summer-plumaged bird at Ferry Meadows CP on 3 Aug (CBS, SPD). A total of 29 pairs bred on the Nene Washes, although breeding was delayed due to the cold and dry April period. Some 78 chicks were individually colour-ringed, of which 24 were re-sighted as fledglings, plus three unringed birds also fledged (RSPB).
2001	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. Rare away from the Nene Washes. On the Nene Washes, up to 54 throughout Jan, building up to 180 by 7 Feb, 280 by 12 Feb and peaking at an impressive 1900 from 16–19 Mar. Flooding reduced numbers to 700 by 26 Mar with 280 remaining to 3 Apr, increasing to 850 on the 5th, and 500 on 27th when 450 flew off high to the north-west in three groups (RSPB). There were 100+ at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 29 Apr (WB). Elsewhere, Baston & Langtoft GP held five on 27 Apr (TW). Breeding activity on the Nene Washes was brought to an abrupt end by flooding in April, but eventually 28 pairs attempted to breed (an annual increase of 25%), from which 26 pairs raised 16 young. During summer, up to 29 were present in early July and were thought to be Icelandic birds (RSPB). Three there on 9 Aug with singles on 12 Sep (Dog-in-a-Doublet) & 17 Nov. Two at Ferry Meadows CP on 26 Jun (FMCP). Prior’s Fen GP held two on 13 Jul (GW), three on 1 Aug, one on 11th, two from 13th-17th and singles on 10th and 21 Sep (GW, SPD).
2000	Scarce summer visitor; common migrant on Nene Washes, rare elsewhere. In January, 13 were at the Nene Washes 7-9 Jan. The usual passage of islandica birds began on 6 Feb, when 300 were present, increasing to 690 on 3 Mar, before dropping to 64 birds by the end of the month. In April, 240 were noted 5 Apr, 530 on 7 Apr, 1,135 on 9 Apr, 1,922 on 14 Apr and an exceptional 3,000 on the 22nd. Numbers rapidly dropped thereafter, coinciding with the arrival of birds in Iceland on 25 Apr. Up to 40 islandica birds remained until 12 May. Elsewhere, 150 flew over Hampton Lakes 9 Apr, presumably birds associated with the Nene Washes build-up. A single was seen at Baston & Langtoft GP on 11 May. The first breeding pair was located on the Nene Washes on 28 Feb. After the April flood, a records 24 pairs were counted, but a decreased hatching success compared with 1999 meant that only six chicks were noted to have fledged. In late June, 31 birds remained, with 14 to mid-July, and the last on 29 Jul. Prior’s Fen GP (one on 1st and 4 Aug, with two on 10th), Ferry Meadows CP (one, 4 Sep) and Baston & Langtoft GP were the only sites away from the washes to record birds in the second half of the year. Three were seen on 29 Jul and a single on 1-2 Sep. Late birds on the Nene Washes were singles at the end of October, five at Stanground Wash 2 Dec, 16 at Eldernell 9 Dec and two at Ring's End 18 Dec.
1999	Scarce summer visitor; common migrant on Nene Washes, rare elsewhere. At the Nene Washes, up to 105 were seen prior to 8 Mar, on which date 1,200 arrived, rising to a record 1,420 on 13 Mar and 1,600 on 24th, gradually falling to 700 on 2 Apr, 195 on 19 Apr and 35 by early May. On the RSPB reserve, 18 pairs bred, 43 chicks were colour-ringed as part of an ecology study and a further nine were metal-ringed. Three colour-ringed adults returned, having been ringed as chicks in 1997. Up to 29 non-breeders were present throughout July, with singles on three dates between Sep-Dec. There were nine present on 23 Dec. Only one record away from the washes, of a single bird at Baston & Langtoft GP on 16 Aug.
1998	Scarce summer visitor, migrant. Nene Washes: Icelandic-race birds appeared from 9 Jan, with up to 150 through February then rising to 380 (9 Mar), 700 (10 Mar) and 1,000 (12 Mar) falling to 509 (15 Mar). Numbers fluctuated through April with a peak of 335 (10th) and up to 101 through May. Pre-flood, there were 18 pairs on the reserve and they had just begun laying when the rains came. Birds then moved onto arable areas with ten pairs re-laying on the north side in Hunts and three pairs on Feldale. Most chose winter wheat that was still short from swan grazing, but one desperate pair chose a barren pea field. Inevitably, every nest eventually failed. Most were predated, though there were a couple of desertions. As the floods receded, birds soon moved back to the reserve and 12 pairs tried again, with eight pairs raising a minimum og 12 young to the flying stage, some not until late July. A group of 53 (28 Jun) could have been of either race. Up to three were around in August, then up to five through November and three on 2 Dec.
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