Peterborough Bird Club annual report Mallard Anas platyrhynchos | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder and passage migrant. Well-distributed across the whole recording area, with more than 100 records from 34 sites. The Nene Washes numbers peaked in March, with 659 on 21 March (WeBS). High counts elsewhere included 420+ at Holme Fen 12 Jan (SPD), 237 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 20 Feb (MM, OM) and 213 at Deeping Lakes NR on 31 Dec (WB). During the breeding season on the Nene Washes there were 247 pairs. Away from the Washes, breeding records were very sparse with reports from Holme Fen and Newborough only.
2002	Common resident breeder and passage migrant. This species is often taken for granted and passed over in the search for other more uncommon species, which must explain the lack of records for this species; away from the Nene Washes, only two other records were submitted. The peak winter count on the Nene Washes was of 697 on 19 Nov (RSPB), attracted by a good flood. A total of 257 pairs were found to be breeding on the Washes, mainly concentrated on the RSPB Low Wash and March Farmers. Away from the Nene Washes, eight were see at Deeping Lakes NR on 9 Feb (BT) and 20 at Baston Fen NR on 27 Dec (VF).
2001	Common resident breeder and passage migrant. A welcome increase in records submitted. These indicate that away from its Nene Washes stronghold, this species is widely distributed, but during the breeding season occurs only at low densities, though doubtless many broods go unreported. Numbers at most wetland sites increased markedly from mid–summer, swelled by post-breeding dispersal from the Nene Washes and autumn migrants. There was no evidence of any winter immigration. On the Nene Washes, an impressive 471 potential pairs were located, but it was thought that a high proportion of eggs and young were predated (RSPB). No other breeding records were received. Not surprisingly, the Nene Washes held the largest counts during all seasons, the main peaks being 1,000 on 29 Jan and 770 on 12 Feb (thought mainly to be resident breeders), 691 in September increasing to 855 in Oct, then a rapid decline to 184 in Nov and 190 in Dec (RSPB). Prior’s Fen GP supports substantial numbers in autumn, probably linked to its proximity to the Nene Washes; reports included 360+ on 15 Aug, 740 flighting west 23 Aug and c.500 on the 31st (GW, SPD). Elsewhere, peak counts of 23 Ramsey Fen 8 Jan, 30 White Fen 10 Jan, 91 Maxey GP, 108 Tanholt GP 11 Feb, 60 Baston Fen NR 28 Feb, 65 Ramsey Fen 20 Jun, 200+ Ferry Meadows CP 9 Aug, 59 Bainton GP 14 Sept, 256 Woodwalton Fen NNR 26 Nov, 80 Baston Fen NR 17 Dec and 24 Beeby’s BP 30 Dec.
2000	Common resident. Greatly under-recorded, with just 11 reports away from the Nene Washes. In January, 371 on the washes on 16th and 200 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 8th were the only records. A post-breeding washes flock of 500 in August was exceptional, and other peak counts were 372 there on 18 Dec, 270 at King's Dyke NR on 17 Sep, 261 at Woodwalton Fen NNR 13 Nov, 155 at Fletton BP 6 Aug, 115 at Bainton GP on 15 Oct, and 62 at Baston Fen NR on 20 Sep. No records, for example, were received from Ferry Meadows CP! A total of 442 potential pairs were noted on the Nene Washes, otherwise just eight pairs at Baston Fen NR on 15 Mar and "one brood" at Hampton Lakes on 30 Apr.
1999	Common resident. On Nene Washes, 235 pairs present in spring, but a maximum winter count there of 267 in January, 98+ Ferry Meadows CP 11 Oct, 80 Baston & Langtoft GP in January and 53 Bainton GP 26 Dec. Breeding birds also noted at Ferry Meadows CP, Baston & Langtoft GP and Hampton Lakes, but under-recorded.
1998	Common resident. Peak counts at Ferry Meadows CP were 52 on 20 Nov, 37 on 22 Mar and 20 on 1 Feb. There were 30+ at Orton BP on 16 Dec and 30 at Fletton BP on 14 Dec. Nene Washes: True breeding figures were impossible to work out, though the following numbers are from the drake count made on 18 May: High Wash 48 RSPB reserve 124 Eldernell Wash 67 March Farmers 112 Ring's End 190 Eldernell Pit 4 Total 545 Very few broods were seen. Peak winter counts were 322 (15 Feb) and 257 (6 Dec). A large proportion of the birds wintered on March Farmers.
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