Peterborough Bird Club annual report Merlin Falco columbarius | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage and winter migrant. All records were of 1-2 birds. Most records came from the Nene Washes, but numbers during the first winter/spring period were scarce due to deep flooding. Singles were seen occasionally in Jan-Feb and two were on Low Wash during March (RSPB); the last record there was an adult female between RSPB Nene Washes and March Farmers on 13 Apr (PC). During the autumn/second winter period, 1-2 birds were present on the Nene Washes between Oct to the end of the year. Elsewhere during the two winter periods, singles were recorded from a further 24 locations across the PBC area.
2002	Scarce passage and winter migrant. As is usual, the majority of records of this swift raptor came from the Nene Washes during the two winter periods. Up to two birds were present on Nene Washes throughout the first winter period (RSPB). Away from the Washes during this period, reports were received of 1-2 birds at Woodwalton Fen NNR, Crowland, Holme Fen, Deeping Fen Farm, Market Deeping, Deeping Lakes NR, Stamford and Norman Cross BP. There were an increased number of birds recorded on spring passage, with reports during April of 1-3 birds on the Nene Washes (MO). The first returning bird of the winter were noted at the Nene Washes on 20 Aug (RSPB). One to three birds were present there until the end of the year (MO). Singles were also noted from five other locations. A male at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 20 Oct was noted to be chasing Greenfinches and Meadow Pipits (DMcN, DP). Image © Brian Stone. Click for bigger version.
2001	Scarce passage and winter migrant. The flash of a passing Merlin is something all birdwatchers savour, but few birds are ever seen for long and a perched bird is a real treat. During the first winter period, very scarce on the Nene Washes due to flooding and lack of available hunting areas. Birds were, however, seen there or hunting adjacent farmland on 6 Jan (RBA) at Eldernell and 9 Mar on the RSPB reserve. Elsewhere in Jan, single birds reported from Baston Fen NR on 6th (KKH), Barnack Hills & Holes NNR 8th (TS), Peterborough 13th (MW) and a female at Whittlesey on 26th. In February one at Fletton BP on 7th (BHS), Peterborough 8th (BHS), a female at Poplar Farm 23rd (MJW) and the last of the winter, a male at Thorney on 25th (SPD). A single on the Nene Washes 23 Apr (DH, TP) was almost certainly a migrant. First returning bird noted from the Nene Washes 24 Aug (RSPB). A female along North Bank 19 Sep (SPD) was the start of regular sightings of a female along the Nene Washes to the year’s end (MO). This bird specialised in hunting the wintering Dunlin on flood. Counts of three birds came from the washes on 17 Nov (MF) & 30 Dec (MF). A female at Prior’s Fen GP 20 Oct (SPD) was almost certainly the regular female from the nearby washes and the only other report was one at Marholm/Milton Park area 14 Dec (MJW).
2000	Scarce winter visitor and migrant. Recorded on the Nene Washes 4 Jan-19 Apr, with two birds seen on three dates and a maximum of three (male and two females) at Eldernell on 26 Jan (GRH). A large female of presumed northern origin was present from 5 Apr and was seen to chase a Snipe into undergrowth along the counter drain at Eldernell on 8 Apr. Away from the washes, singles were seen at Farcet Fen on 8 Jan, Orton BP 26 Jan, Baston & Langtoft GP (male) 20 Feb and 11 Mar, Serpentine BP (female/immature) 5 Mar and Drysides BP (male) 9 Apr. An early returning male was seen at the Dog-in-a-Doublet on 30 Jul, with a female at the Nene Washes 7 Aug. Thereafter on the washes, singles noted 7th and 19 Sep (Dog-in-a-Doublet), 1-2 birds at Eldernell on 13 Nov and a male at the Dog-in-a-Doublet on 18 Nov. Elsewhere, one at Morborne 15 Oct, a juvenile/female there 1 Nov, an adult male near Deeping St James 6 Nov, a female was at Stanground Wash 10 Nov, a male at Orton Mere 9 Dec and one chased a Meadow Pipit at Orton BP on 28 Dec.
1999	Scarce winter visitor and migrant. In the first winter/spring period, 1-2 birds were recorded from 1st-18 Jan on the Nene Washes. Elsewhere, a single was at Eye 11 Jan. One at Rice Wood (RS) preceded sightings in March at Orton BP 9 Mar and Crown Lakes CP 30 Mar. In the autumn/second winter period, one was back on the Nene Washes 22 Aug, with a gap then until 28 Sep, then sightings of singles to the year's end, apart from two seen on 12 Nov. Away from the washes, one was seen chasing Starlings around the church tower at Market Deeping 7 Sep, one at Baston & Langtoft GP 17 Sep, and a female at Guyhirn 19 Sep. In October, one was at Orton BP 30 Oct, with another around this time at Baston Fen NR. In November, a male was at Baston & Langtoft GP a female at Baston Fen NR 14 Nov and another female at Farcet Fen 17 Nov. At the end of the year, there were singles at Thorney Toll 9 Dec and Wansford 25 Dec.
1998	Rare winter visitor. Birds were at Stowgate (1 Feb), Thorney Toll (8 Feb); one at Baston & Langtoft GP on 21 Feb was the last of the winter, with the first returning bird also there on 25 Sep. Other records came from one of the parkways 29 Oct, Thorney (14 Nov), Peakirk (4 Dec), one chasing a Snipe at Deeping Common (6 Dec), Dogsthorpe Tip (12 Dec), Orton BP (16 Dec) and Stanground (17 Dec). Nene Washes: Recorded on 15 days between 9 Jan-9 Apr, with two birds on three dates. A female arrived on 21 Jul - an early date - and a male on 6 Aug. Both were seen on several dates to 11 Aug, then seen on 19 dates (13 Sep-31 Dec), including two at March Farmers and regular hunting over the reserve floods above flushed wader flocks.
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