Peterborough Bird Club annual report Goldeneye Bucephala clangula | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common winter migrant. There were records from 24 sites. Notable flocks included 31 at Deeping Lakes NR on 27 Mar (WB), 32 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 19 Jan (TW), 17 at Maxey GP on 8 Mar (TW) and 19 at Holme Fen NNR on 25 Mar (SPD). The last record of the first winter period was of two at Deeping Lakes NR on 13 Apr (RB, WB); the first returning bird was a female there on 2 Oct (WB).
2002	Common winter migrant. Recorded from 15 sites. A notable influx occurred in the third week in January when a flock of 42 (including ten males, four immature males and 28 females) was seen at Tallington GP on 20 Jan (SPD), with 35 still remaining on 24 Feb. Smaller increases in flocks at other locations are probably due to the dispersal of these birds. The last records of the first winter period were on 14 April with one at Orton BP (SPD) and 18 at Bainton GP (RAs). The first returning birds of the second winter period were three very early birds on 2 Sep at Deeping Lakes NR (WB) with the main arrival from 19 Oct onwards. Notable counts included 15 at Ferry Meadows CP on 31 Oct (TD).
2001	Common winter migrant. Noted at 15 sites, with the Welland valley being particularly attractive. There was a marked influx in early January, including 20 at Deeping High Bank on 18 Jan (SPD, PJP), which probably dispersed to local pits, with a continued increase through to mid-Feb, when an excellent count of 58 at Tallington GP on the 11th (TW). At Bainton GP, ten on 6 Jan increased to 28 on 11 Feb (BT), declining to 11 by 11 Mar (MH) but 18 present on the 24th (MH), which may have included passage birds. Orton BP held 15 on 17 Feb with 12 by 8 Mar (GW). Other sites held between 2–5 birds. The records suggest that 85–100 were present throughout the area in mid-February. From late March to mid-April, the only records were of singles at Baston & Langtoft GP, Orton BP and Deeping Lakes NR, with the last record from the latter site on 13 Apr (TW). One reported from Bainton GP on 7 Aug (ES) was exceptionally early, with the next returning bird at Welland Bank GP 20 Oct (TW) increasing to nine by 24 Nov (WB). There were two at Prior’s Fen GP on 24 Oct, peaking at 11 on 29 Nov (SPD), two at Bainton GP on 4 Nov (MH), rising to 13 on 22 Dec (BT). Most other sites held 1–4 birds, with counts of five from Orton BP 13 Dec, Baston & Langtoft GP on the 23rd (WB) and Fletton BP on the 28th (BHS).
2000	Uncommon winter visitor. Recorded at just eight sites. As usual, the main concentration was at Bainton GP, where 13-24 over-wintered to mid-March, then an influx of migrants from late March peaked at 20 on 1 Apr, with 14 still present on 16th. Only two remained by 27th. At Orton BP, up to 18 were present during Feb-Mar, but elsewhere, maximum counts of only nine at Deeping Lake on 5 Mar and four at Deeping Lakes NR on 12 Mar. Very scarce at the end of the year, with just a single at Baston & Langtoft GP on 29 Oct and at Deeping Lakes NR on 4 Nov, three at the Nene Washes 12 Nov, with eight on 29 Dec, and eight at Eldernell Pit on 16 Dec.
1999	Widespread but uncommon winter visitor. The most frequently reported duck in the PBC area, with records from ten sites, though mostly involving reports of fewer than ten birds. The main concentrations were at Bainton GP, with up to 48 on 21 Feb, Baston & Langtoft GP with up to 34 mid-Mar, and Orton BP, with up to 22 on 9 Mar. The latest record was of two at Orton BP on 22 Apr (GW) and the first returning birds were five there on 6 Oct (GRH).
1998	Common winter visitor. In the first winter period, birds were reported from Bainton GP (max. 43), Orton BP and McCain's BP, where the last bird was noted (15 Feb). Birds were more widespread in autumn (from 15 Sep), with records from Fletton BP, Orton BP (max. 12), Baston & Langtoft GP, Beeby's BP and Ferry Meadows CP. Nene Washes: Two were present (11 Jan-1 Mar), ranging between the reserve and Eldernell Pit. A drake was on Eldernell Wash (27 Apr) and on the reserve (14 May). Up to three were on Eldernell Pit (6 Nov-31 Dec).
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