Peterborough Bird Club annual report Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Around 6,000 birds roosted on the Nene Washes on 8 Jan (RSPB); this was the highest count anywhere in the PBC area during 2003. Other notable counts included c5,000 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 13 Feb (BHS) and 1,600+ over Farcet Fen on 10 Oct (SPD). Young birds were seen at Cow Pasture (Baston), Ferry Meadows CP, Hampton Lakes and Maxey GP and Nene Washes, though their presence does not necessarily mean breeding occurred at these sites. Unusual behaviour included this and other species seen to catch snowflakes during a heavy snow shower in Peterborough on 8 Jan (MO) and 1,780 seen spiralling on thermals after flying ants over Fletton on 8 July (SPD).
2002	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Notable counts included 2,000+ at Dogsthorpe Tip on 28 Feb (BHS), 3,500+ on the Nene Washes on 19 Nov (RSPB) and 7,000+ at Fletton BP on 31 Oct (SPD). During May, small numbers were on the Nene Washes, though no breeding was noted (RSPB). Large summer gatherings included 750 on waterlogged fields at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Aug (MJW). A curiosity was a summer-plumaged bird at Dog-in-a-Doublet with all-white primaries 22 Jul and there was a near-albino at North Bank on 2 Jan (both BHS).
2001	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Given its abundance, this species continues to be poorly reported. Most records come from along the Nene and Welland corridors. The Nene Washes roost held 4,500 on 15 Jan and a maximum of 15,000 on 13 Feb (RSPB). Other sizeable flocks noted at Dogsthorpe Tip and Star Pit NR with counts of 2,500 on 23 Oct (MC), 4,000 on 4 Nov (BHS), 1,500 on 3 Dec (BHS) and 4–5,000 on 27 Dec (BHS). Also 1,800 on 13 Dec at Fletton BP (SPD). Between 200–300 pairs nested at Prior’s Fen GP with many chicks seen there on 22 May (GW) with the first signs of fledging 13 Jun. Records also received from Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping Lakes NR, Hampton Lakes, Bainton GP, Orton BP and Maxey GP.
2000	Common resident and winter visitor. The resurgence of interest in gulls seems to exclude this species which is poorly reported. On the Nene Washes, now an important roost site, maximum of 4,000 in March and 3,700 on 18 Dec. Many remained to feed locally. Other counts included 350 at Ferry Meadows CP 1 Jan, 600 at Bainton GP 22 Jan, 100 at Dogsthorpe Tip 27 Jan and 1,000 there 16 Nov. At the Nene Washes, 30 pairs were on territory prior to spring flooding, but only three nests were noted post-flood. "Several hundred pairs" were at Prior’s Fen GP 28 Apr, a substantial colony was present as usual at Baston & Langtoft GP and breeding was noted at Orton BP and Beeby's BP (15 pairs).
1999	Common resident and winter visitor. In January, a peak of 11,000 were in the Nene Washes roost and many of these could be found on Dogsthorpe Tip during the day. The species is under-recorded and only three breeding records were received. Five pairs bred on the Nene Washes, rearing ten young. A further 32 pairs bred at Eldernell and 80 pairs at Orton BP. Sizeable colonies were found at Baston & Langtoft GP and Prior’s Fen GP.
1998	Common resident, winter visitor. Peak counts were 1,500+ at Fletton BP on 1 Dec (MJW), c250 at Stanground 22 Nov (MJW), 100 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 28 Feb (DS) and 100 at Ferry Meadows CP on 1 Feb (DS). Two chicks were at Baston & Langtoft GP on 14 Jun (TW). Nene Washes: Roost counts included 2,000 on 12 Jan, 3,000 on 17 Feb and 15 Mar. As the floods receded, two colonies formed, with 45 pairs (25 nests) on the reserve and an estimated 200 pairs (40 nests found) on Eldernell Wash. Most of the Eldernell colony appeared to fail, but about 15 juveniles were seen on the reserve. Small parties visited the reserve floods from October onwards.
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