Peterborough Bird Club annual report Sky Lark Alauda arvensis | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common. Peak counts of 120 were noted at the Nene Washes on 6 Jan (JT) and 130 at Flag Fen on 31 Jan (BHS). Singing birds were noted from 13 separate locations across the area. Numbers of singing males on the Nene Washes were similar to 2002, with 68 singing males recorded. Sky Larks nested at Barnack Hills & Holes NNR for the first time in many years (PS, VS). Records during the second winter period were generally scarce, although a peak count of 250+ Baston & Langtoft GP on 12 Oct (JJ) was notable. No large-scale movements were noted this year.
2002	Common. There were relatively few records during the first winter period, with a peak count of 63 between Ferry Meadows CP and Mill Lane, Castor, on 9 Jan (DG). During the breeding season, singing birds were noted at eight locations. A count of 23 singing birds were noted singing at White Fen, Benwick, on 31 May (RES). On the Nene Washes, 70 singing males were recorded. A notable passage of Sky Larks moved west on 16-18 Oct. On 16 Oct, 358 flew west over Ferry Meadows CP between 9.40am and 10.35am (SPD). On 18 Oct, 100+ flew west over Stamford in 10 minutes and on the same day, approximately 300 flew west over the A1 near Stamford (both CP).
2001	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant and winter migrant. Mainly reported from the fens to the east of Peterborough. Singing birds: one at Flag Fen 7 Feb (BHS), three at Mere Farm, Ramsey 18 Feb (RES), 3+ at Elton from 18 Feb-3 Mar (BHS), 2+ Stamford Feb–Mar (MC) and eight (among at least 14 birds) at Hampton Hargate 23 Apr (SPD). Along the Nene Washes, 13 were singing in May (RSPB). Up to 45 pairs have bred on the Nene Washes in recent years, but late flooding reduced numbers this year. Reports in all months except July and August. Perhaps local birds move away during this period. In any case, birds started appearing again from 12 Sep and by early October a steady passage was noted moving south and west along the Nene Valley near Elton and on the Nene Washes. A total of 34 flew over Fletton BP on 11 Oct (SPD) and of the 108 recorded at Prior’s Fen GP on 20 Oct, 86 were seen flying over to the south (SPD). Flocks noted as follows: 13 in Tetrad TL28P near Ramsey St Mary's 3 Jan (RES), 64 at Mere Farm, Ramsey on 8 Jan (RES), 32+ at Upton 16 Jan (PJP), 20 at Tanholt GP 11 Feb (GW), 19 at White Fen, Benwick 20 May (RES), 20 on the Nene Washes 27 Sep (RSPB), 22 at Prior’s Fen GP 20 Oct (SPD), 22 at Orton BP 10 Nov (KW), 80+ at Castor 14 Dec (MJW) and 18 at Langtoft West End GP 16 Dec (TW).
2000	Common migrant and winter visitor; locally-common resident. A recovery on the Nene Washes from 33 pairs in 1999 to 45 pairs in 2000, but still restricted by spring flooding. Under-recorded elsewhere, with regular reports only from Morborne. There were 17 there on 25 Sep and 20 on 13 Oct, probably indicating passage through the area. Some 14 pairs bred on setaside at Swaddywell, and 28 were at Orton BP on 28 Dec (CBR). Movements were also noted over Elton on 23 Sep and regularly over the Nene Washes in October, but a maximum of only 25 there on 14th. However, an exceptional hard weather movement of 1,140 over Milton Park on 29 Dec (MJW).
1999	Common but declining resident; migrant and winter visitor. Plenty of records of wintering and passage birds, with a recorded peak of 30 at Maxey on 4 Dec (RA) and strong westerly movements at several sites between 11-16 Oct (BHS, TP, RH). A count of 17 singing birds at RAF Wittering on 16 Feb (GRH) was a pleasing record. However, the 33 singing on the RSPB Nene Washes reserve was a 52% drop from the 1997 count.
1998	Common resident and winter visitor. Peak counts were of 22 near Stowe on 10 Jan (TW) and 18 near Kate's Bridge on 21 Feb (TW). Poorly-recorded. Nene Washes: The flood disrupted the wash birds and many moved to arable areas, with only 25 singing males returning to the reserve and eight to Eldernell Wash. Very few wintered on the wash away from March Farmers, where 21 were counted on 15 Feb and 170 on 6 Dec. Movements were of 26 (11 Oct), 30 (12 Oct), 16 (9 Nov) and 12 (10 Nov), heading south-west.
	report home | species index | introduction | next species | contributors | contact