Peterborough Bird Club annual report Sand Martin Riparia riparia | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common. The first record was of a single bird at Etton GP on 17 Mar inspecting last year’s nest holes (KAF). Notable counts included 300 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 26 Apr (JJ), 450+ there on 17 Jul (SPD) and 250 at Prior’s Fen GP on 28 Aug (SPD). The last bird of 2003 was at Ferry Meadows CP on 7 Oct (BHS). There was an increase in the number of breeding records. Thirty were excavating new holes at the King’s Dyke NR colony on 3 May (PPa). Colonies were also recorded at Old Sulehay (BHS), Baston & Langtoft GP (JJ), Peterborough Town Bridge (BHS) and Maxey GP (BHS). Image © Phil Ackerman. Click for a larger version.
2002	Common. The first birds were two at Orton BP on 16 Mar (SPD) and possibly the same birds at Fletton BP on the same day (BTO). A small influx occurred on 24 Mar with five at Baston & Langtoft GP, one at Dog-in-a-Doublet and between 5-7 at Deeping Lakes NR with the main arrival from 27 March. Notable counts included 330+ at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Sep (SPD) and 100+ there on 19 Sep (DG). The last bird was a late bird on 7 Oct over Ferry Meadows CP (SPD). Breeding records were received from only two locations: King’s Dyke Brick Works (RSPB) and Baston & Langtoft GP, where 150 were noted in the colony on 21 Apr (TBa).
2001	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant. First record was of four at Baston Fen NR 10 Mar (TW) and two at Bainton GP the following day (AD) – the earliest ever records in the PBC area. By the 17th, there were 15 at Bainton GP (MH) with 22 the following day (TW) and 35 by the end of the month (BT). The main arrival occurred from 3 Apr with 300 at the Nene Washes on 5th (RSPB) and 250-300 at Ferry Meadows CP on 6th (SPD). These, along with 300+ March Farmers 8th (MF), were the highest spring counts. Numbers at Bainton GP peaked at 80+ 8 Apr (BT), while many other sites reported smaller numbers. Breeding colonies: 150 Baston (MC), 60 King’s Dyke NR 5 Apr (GW), “good numbers” at Maxey GP 24 May (BT), and 12 occupied holes at Peterborough Town Bridge 24 Jul (PSt). At the Nene Washes, 70 over to the east 17 Jul (RSPB) and from 13 Jul-13 Aug between 300 and 600 roosted either in reeds or wheat at Prior’s Fen GP peaking at 600 on both extreme dates (GW). Numbers built here again in the middle of September, peaking at 350+ on 15 Sep (SPD). Ferry Meadows CP saw a similar pattern during Sep with 100+ on 3rd (MJW), 300–400 on 9th (SPD) and c.350 on 13th (MJW). Deeping Lakes NR was the only other site to attract a large autumn flock, with 140+ on 31 Aug (SPD). After 15 Sep, only a few more were seen up to 21st, then none until the last, a single at Ferry Meadows CP 9 Oct (MJW) – the latest ever record for the area.
2000	Common summer visitor. A steady arrival in March, after the first report of seven at Ferry Meadows CP on 14th, including groups of 35 at Tallington GP (17 Mar), 50 at Bainton GP (26 Mar) and 100 at Baston & Langtoft GP (31 Mar). By 9 Apr, 200+ were present at Ferry Meadows CP, then a maximum count of 400 at the Nene Washes on 3 May. Although known to breed regularly at several sites, the only record received was of c200 at a colony near King's Dyke NR (GW). There were 300 at Hampton Lakes and 200 at Orton BP 16 Jul (CBR). Very poorly-recorded after mid-July, the only reports being of singles at the Nene Washes on 6 Sep and Tallington GP on 17 Sep, then two at Eldernell on 28 Sep were the last of the year.
1999	Common summer visitor. The first of the year was seen on 16 Mar at Ferry Meadows CP (DG) and birds arrived in force from this date onwards, with 58 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 28 Mar. The only breeding records received was of ten pairs at Peterborough Town Bridge. Post-breeding, 70 were counted at the Nene Washes on 20 Aug and the last bird was a single at Ferry Meadows CP on 3 Oct (RAH).
1998	Common migrant, scarce summer visitor. Extreme dates were four at Ferry Meadows CP on 24 Mar (RAH) and one there on 8 Oct (RAH). Large flocks included 50+ at Ferry Meadows CP on 1 Apr, 100+ at Bainton GP on 4 Apr, c60 at Ferry Meadows CP on 9 Apr, several hundred at Baston & Langtoft GP on 12th and 22 Apr, c150 at nestholes with 100+ birds present at Deeping Lakes NR on 2 Aug and c100 at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Sep, with c150 there on 11 Sep. Nene Washes: The first seven arrived on 1 Apr. Passage included 21 on 25 Apr, 12 on 27 Apr then 100+ on 30 Apr. Very scarce through the summer and the usual July passage was non-existent. There were five on 26 Aug and nine on 6 Sep.
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