Peterborough Bird Club annual report Hobby Falco subbuteo | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. The first record was of two at Woodwalton Fen NNR (BirdGuides.com) and one on the Nene Washes (PC) on 13 Apr, with the main arrival from 4 May onwards. One or two birds recorded between May-Sep across a number of sites, with 3-4 birds recorded at Baston & Langtoft GP, Prior’s Fen GP, Deeping Lakes NR and Woodwalton Fen NNR. During October, single birds on the Nene Washes on 1 Oct (JT) with a single at Etton GP on 4 Oct (SCw) the last record of 2003. Breeding likely to have occurred at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Nene Washes, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR. One at Baston & Langtoft GP on 25 June was eating Black-tailed Skimmers Orthetrum cancellatum (BHS).
2002	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. This year saw an increase in the number of records received for this charismatic raptor. The first record was of a single bird at Deeping Lakes NR on 28 Apr (KW), two weeks later than the first record in 2001. Five at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 6 May (RMP) preceded the main spring passage began on 11 May with reports of 1-2 birds then recorded regularly until September from 13 locations. Up to four birds were present on the Nene Washes on 11 Aug (RB, WB) with 6+ at Ferry Meadows CP on 8 Sep (MO). The last record was of a very late single bird at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 2 Nov (KW). In June, an individual on the Nene Washes allowed close approach as it hunted from gateposts alongside dyke edges (RSPB). This bird was probably also responsible for robbing a Long-eared Owl of its prey as it hunted in the evenings (RSPB, BHS) (Kitchin & Stone 2003).
2001	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. One of the most popular and spectacular species in the area, the sight of a Hobby always gets the pulse racing. The first bird was seen over King's Dyke NR on 15 Apr (GS) with one over Ferry Meadows CP on 24th (BT), three together over Hampton Hargate 27th (SPD), another bird at Ferry Meadows CP 28th (TW) and one at Eldernell on 29th (WB). There was then a lull in passage for a fortnight, with no other records until one on the Nene Washes (March Farmers) on 13 May (BHS) and birds at Eldernell (two) (CM), Old Sulehay Forest (CHa) and over Peterborough city centre (DW) the next day (14th). This was the start of the main passage period, with at least five birds hunting over Baston & Langtoft GP (AD) and further singles at Bainton GP (MF) and Market Deeping (TW) on the 19th. On the 20th, two over the Nene Washes (MF) and Ramsey Fen (RES) and one over Deeping High Bank (AD). At least six birds were on the Nene Washes 21st–22nd (RSPB), three at Hampton Vale 25th (SPD) and one at Deeping High Bank on 27th (AD). A pair present throughout the summer on the Nene Washes, and summering birds reported from Stanground, Peterborough city centre, Ferry Meadows CP, Bretton, Orton Brimbles, Orton Wistow, Orton Longueville, Dogsthorpe, Longthorpe, Marholm, Wansford, Deeping St James, Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping Lakes NR, Elton and Maxey GP. Up to four birds present on the Nene Washes including a first–summer and a juvenile 8 Aug (SPD) and a juvenile on the 29th (RSPB) with 1–2 birds reported regularly throughout Sep. Also in Aug, 1–2 reported regularly from Ferry Meadows CP (MJW, TD) and the nearby Ortons (MJW). 1–2 birds reported throughout Aug–Sep from Baston Fen NR, Holme Fen NNR, Elton, Yaxley, Chesterton, Prior’s Fen GP, Castor, Deeping Lakes NR, Morborne Hill, Deeping St Nicholas, Peterborough city centre, Bainton GP, Stowe, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Longthorpe and the Fletton BP complex. Only two counts of more than two birds in Sept, with five at Prior’s Fen GP on 15th (SPD) and three over Peterborough 23rd (MJW). In October, singles at Ferry Meadows CP on 2nd (MJW), a juvenile at Prior’s Fen GP 6th (SPD), one at Milton Park 7th (MJW), two Peterborough 9th (MJW) and Bainton GP 12th. A bird seen regularly around the Fletton BP complex and Hampton area from 2–12 Oct was the last of the year (SPD).
2000	Scarce summer visitor. First and last dates were 19 Apr at Eldernell and 10 Oct at Orton Waterville. Fairly scarce this spring, though 1-2 noted at 15 widespread locations, many of which were probably migrants, as were six at Langtoft West End GP on 29 Apr, and seven at the Nene Washes. Little evidence of breeding was reported, though summer records, mostly of singles, were received from more than 15 sites, including a juvenile at Baston & Langtoft GP 29 Jul and a presumed family group of five over the Nene Washes 29 Aug. Sightings increased in September, with singles at Baston & Langtoft GP 2 Sep, Ferry Meadows CP 2nd and 16 Sep, Whittlesey 2 Sep, Monk's Wood NNR 4th and 30 Sep, Elton 7th, 23rd, 27 Sep, Bretton Centre 7 Sep, Barnack 15 Sep, Baston Fen NR 17 Sep and 1 Oct, Prior’s Fen GP 17 Sep, Deeping High Bank 27 Sep. Multiple records included two at Helpston 9 Sep, Market Deeping 10 Sep and Deeping Lakes NR 17 Sep. Four were at Deeping High Bank on 16 Sep and at least three at Morborne Hill 23 Sep.
1999	Scarce summer visitor. In April, the first was at Orton BP 27 Apr (GRH), with three at the Nene Washes 28 Apr. In May, singles were at Bainton, Chesterton, Ferry Meadows CP, Market Deeping, Northborough, Stanground and Stanley Park. Two were seen at Elton 8 May and three at Deeping St James 8 May. The Nene Washes had five daily into early May, with fairly regular sightings until 24 Sep. Breeding was not proved conclusively, though it was suspected in the area. In late May, regular hunting for wader chicks was noted, often as a pair and on four dates, Hobbies were seen carrying Lapwing chicks. The only other breeding activity noted was of two pairs, with a maximum of six birds 9 May. At least two fledged young were seen later in the summer. In June, the only other sightings came from Morborne Hill on 23rd. Expectedly, sightings increased in July, with birds at Guyhirn, Baston & Langtoft GP (four dates), near Peterborough Lido, Werrington and Yaxley. In August, birds were at Wansford, Stanground (twice), Ferry Meadows CP (three dates) and Baston & Langtoft GP on six dates, with two birds noted on 12th, 24th and 26th. September saw birds at Elton, Easton on the Hill, Baston Fen NR and Stanground.
1998	Scarce summer visitor. The first record came from Ferry Meadows CP on 2 May (RD) and the last was at Baston & Langtoft GP on 11 Oct (TW). No breeding records were received, but birds were noted east of the A15, Folksworth, Frank's Pit (three), Bainton GP, Stanground, Newborough, Orton Mere, Bainton, Milton golf course (including two juveniles), Marholm, Nassington, Market Deeping, Langtoft West End GP and Longthorpe (two juveniles). Nene Washes: The first bird arrived on 27 Apr. Birds then seen regularly throughout the summer with two and three birds seen on several dates. Breeding may have taken place in Eldernell Decoy, though it was not proven. They clearly bred close to the reserve. The last two were noted on 13 Sep.
	report home | species index | introduction | next species | contributors | contact