Peterborough Bird Club annual report Little Gull Larus minutus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant. An exceptionally early report was of six birds flying west past March Farmers on 3 Jan (PT). A group of 7-8 birds were at Orton BP on 16 Apr (BHS); on the same day, an adult bird was recorded at Prior’s Fen GP (SPD). The remaining sightings of this delicate gull during 2003 came from a three-week period during May. A second calendar year bird was present at Hampton Lakes between 11-22 May (BHS, SPD, MW, KAF), moving to Orton BP on 14 May and Fletton BP on 23 May (both BHS). Possibly the same bird was seen on the Nene Washes on 26 May (MJW). Deeping Lakes NR had a purple patch towards the end of May with a second summer present on 27 May (MW, WB) joined by a first-summer on 28 May (SPD), with the first-summer bird still present next day (RB, WB) and both seen again on 31 May (AD).
2002	Scarce passage migrant. An early first-winter bird was on Gunwade Lake, Ferry Meadows CP, 19 Mar (MJW), with a second immature at Ferry Meadows CP on the more typical spring date of 27 Apr (GW). A first-summer bird was at Deeping Lakes NR 10-12 May (TW, WB, BHS) and 15 May (MW). The last record was of a first-winter on the Nene Washes 19 Nov (JT).
2001	Scarce passage migrant. An excellent year. A first–summer bird along Deeping High Bank 6 Apr (WH) and two at Baston & Langtoft GP 21st. On 26 Apr, an adult on the Nene Washes (Eldernell) (GH), a flock of seven at Ferry Meadows CP 9 May (MW) and single adults at Deeping Lakes NR 12th (MC, BT, TW) and along North Bank 13th (TW). One over the Nene Washes RSPB reserve 16 May (RSPB). A first–summer bird took up residence on the Nene Washes 21 May–14 Jun (RSPB et al), with two there on 21 May, and what was probably the long-staying bird seen at Ferry Meadows CP on 14 Jun (TD).
2000	Scarce migrant. A good year with records of singles (immatures unless stated) at Nene Washes 16th and 20 Apr (five adults), Ferry Meadows CP 28 Apr, 7 May (three, including one adult), 19 Sep and 7 Nov, Prior's Fen GP 28 Apr, Thurlby 10 May and Deeping High Bank 24 Jul. Singles at Ferry Meadows CP 19 Sep & 7 Nov.
1999	Scarce migrant. The first of the year was an adult on the Nene Washes 1 Apr. A first-year bird was reported from several sites around Ferry Meadows CP from 5-18 Apr (RH, DG, GRH et al). The last of the spring was a pink-flushed flock of five at  Fletton BP 25 Apr (GW). There were no autumn records.
1998	Rare migrant. A juvenile was at Ferry Meadows CP on 9 Oct (DG, TD). Nene Washes: Five adults were reported on 18 Apr. A first-year bird was noted on 29 Apr, with three on 6 May, two on 8 May, then one to the end of May. Four were at March Farmers on 5 Jun.
	report home | species index | introduction | next species | contributors | contact