Peterborough Bird Club annual report  Mandarin Aix galericulata | C4 | Scarce resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Rare resident breeder. Following a steady decline over a number of years, the species does seem to be stabilising or recovering slightly. Records started with four at Burghley Park on 3 Jan (CW) with the same number on 28 Feb (CW). Stibbington GP contained two pairs on 27 Jan, one pair on 16 Feb and five birds on 16 Sep (all BHS); one pair there on 14 Dec (BHS, AC). Two were seen flying over the village of Chesterton on 28 Mar (BHS); a pair was at Ferry Meadows CP on 1 Apr (DG) with five there at the scrape on 2 Sep (BHS) - pictured left. Singles were at Castor Hanglands NNR on 29-30 Apr (WB et al) and at Orton BP on 30 Apr (MW). Two males were at America Farm on 10 May (BHS) and a female at Deeping Lakes NR on 8 Sep (RB, WB). Image © Brian Stone. Click for more.
2002	Rare resident breeder. The Billing Brook accounted for several records with a pair near Morborne Hill on 30 Mar (BHS), another pair near Haddon on 2 Apr (KS) and a male on 15 Apr (BHS). There were pairs present at Belham Wood (Marholm) on 5th, 10th, 17th and 23 Apr, with a drake (probably the same one) nearby at Marholm church on 21 Apr (KAF). A pair was at Apethorpe church on 22 Apr (BHS) and a male there on 12 May (MC). A drake was at Ben Johnson Pit on 16th and 22 May (SPD, MW, BHS, KAF), two on 21 May (RAs) and a female/immature there on 15 Sep (SPD). Six (five juveniles) were at Morborne Hill on 8 Aug (BHS), with a pair at Stibbington GP on 17 Nov and two males and one female there on 8 Dec (both BHS).
2001	Rare resident breeder. An isolated population has been present in the PBC area since at least the 1960s, originating from birds released at Milton Park and Apethorpe. Releases of non–native species are now illegal and it is understood that there have been no further such additions for at least 15 years. From a known peak of at least 53 birds in the Nene Park area in the early 1970s, this enigmatic tree-nesting species is now infrequently recorded and this downward trend could mean the eventual disappearance of this colourful duck in the near future. The only records received this year were of one at Ferry Meadows CP 1 Apr (MJW), 1–2 Apethorpe in early May (TW) and encouragingly, two pairs Milton Park on 25 Mar, three birds there on 4 May and a female with four young on 26 Jun (BW).
2000	Declining scarce resident. Recorded at just six sites during March-May, mostly involving 1-2 birds at each site but nine were at Milton Park 22 Sep, up to four males were noted at Morborne Hill and two pairs were at Milton Park. The only records after early May were of three at Haddon and Elton on 3 Oct (ARF).
1999	Declining scarce resident. From a peak of 25+ pairs in the mid-1970s, just nine males noted this spring with breeding suspected at six sites. However, birds have been recorded from numerous woods, pits and watercourses in recent years and this population may be under-recorded. Maximum winter count of just four at Apethorpe 1 Jan (TW, MC).
1998	Scarce resident. Peak count at Milton golf course was 14 on 14 Nov (WEW). Up to three were at Morborne Hill (5 Mar-19 Apr). A male was at Ferry Meadows CP on 16th and 30 Apr (RAH). A female was at Castor Hanglands NNR on 26 Apr. Also recorded from Woodwalton Fen NNR and Holme Fen NNR (CBR).
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