Peterborough Bird Club annual report Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce winter migrant. All records were of 1-2 birds this year; again the Nene Washes was the best place this species, although numbers roosting there were slightly down in the first period, probably due to the regular roost site being flooded for much of the first winter period. Up to two birds were regularly seen on the Nene Washes until late Feb (MO), then singles on 19 Mar (NC), 6 Apr (DG), 16 Apr (RSPB) with the last of this period on 21 Apr (SPD, KAF). Elsewhere during the first winter period, sightings of single birds from Woodwalton Fen NNR, Thorney Dyke, Crown Lakes CP, Northorpe Slipe and Bourne South Fen. One or two birds were at Thurlby Fen on 4-5 Jan (VF). The first bird of the second winter period was a juvenile on the Nene Washes on 24 Aug (JT). A ringtail bird was there until the end of the year (MO) with an adult male there on 30-31 Dec (BM, BHS). Elsewhere during the second winter period, singles were at Crowland, Prior’s Fen GP, Farcet Fen and Deeping Lakes NR.
2002	Scarce winter migrant. Eldernell is the best place to see this species in the PBC area as birds come in to roost in the fields, and correspondingly, birds were seen in the area from Dog-in-a-Doublet to March Farmers regularly throughout both winter periods. Sightings of ‘ringtails’ (immature/females) are more common, but some observers were also lucky enough to enjoy the spectacle of ghostly grey males crossing the washes. The maximum count was of four - two adult males and two ringtails - roosting at Eldernell on 2 Jan (MAW, GRH), with 1-3 birds present until 3 Apr (MO). Late passage birds were two seen on 27 Apr (SG). A male at Nene Washes High Wash on 19 Oct (SPD) heralded the return of the species to the area for the second winter period. Birds then became regular again to the year’s end with up to three roosting on set-aside land. Other records came from Baston & Langtoft GP, Ramsey St Mary’s, Baston Fen NR, Farcet Fen and Grummit's Scrape.
2001	Scarce winter migrant. During the first winter period, only four records received, due to the Nene Washes being flooded – one there 24 Jan (RSPB), a male at March Farmers 28 Jan (RMP) and a ringtail at Baston Fen NR 10 Feb (KKH) and 3 Mar (JR). The first autumn bird was a ringtail at Wansford 28 Sep, with birds recorded from the Nene Washes from 7 Oct, with two ringtails from 2 Nov and three birds from 26 Nov. During December, two ringtails and two grey males regularly seen, with a max of six (three males, three ringtails) seen coming to roost at Eldernell 15 Dec (MW) and 30 Dec (MJW). Away from the washes, the only records were a male at Deeping Lakes NR 29 Oct (WB) and a single ringtail again at Baston Fen NR 17th and 25 Dec (JR, KKH). By far the best place to watch this wonderful raptor is from Eldernell bank when the washes are dry; birds can be seen hunting there during the day and coming in to roost, usually between Decoy Wood and Lord’s Holt, in the evening.
2000	Rare winter visitor. In January, three 'ringtails' were seen at the Nene Washes, with a male seen occasionally. Two ringtails were seen with a male on 20 Feb. A ringtail was last recorded on 3 Mar. Others were at Deeping High Bank 29 Oct (TW), the Nene Washes 6 Nov and Eldernell 7 Nov and 9 Dec.
1999	Rare winter visitor. One to three birds were seen daily at the Eldernell roost 1-8 Jan. A male was at Borough Fen 4 Mar (DB), with a female at Baston & Langtoft GP 2 Apr (TW). In the autumn, a 'ringtail' (female/immature) appeared on the Nene Washes from 5 Sep (GRH). Another was noted at Apethorpe 26 Sep (AF). A second ringtail arrived on the Nene Washes 24 Oct, with both birds present to the year's end. They were seen to roost in the Eldernell rough grassland, the RSPB reserve reedfen and, on one occasion, the Eldernell Pit reedfen. An adult male roosted for one night only on the washes 16 Dec.
1998	Rare winter visitor and migrant. Nene Washes: A ringtail roosted from 5 Jan-31 Mar, joined by a second from 12-21 Jan. Another ringtail was noted on 10 Apr, with probably a different bird again seen from 24 Apr-6 May. The first autumn bird arrived on 6 Oct, then one or two roosted at March Farmers and Eldernell at the year's end.
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