Peterborough Bird Club annual report Moorhen Gallinula chloropus | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder. Fewer records were received than in 2002 and numbers were generally lower throughout the year. The peak count was of 41 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 25 Oct (SPD). Breeding records came from Castor Hanglands NNR, Ferry Meadows CP, Newborough and Swaddywell Pit. Breeding populations were not monitored at the Nene Washes, though good numbers were present at the west end of Low Wash (RSPB).
2002	Common resident breeder. The highest count of the year was of 50 at Padholme PS on 10 Jan (BHS). A flock of 36 at Hill Farm, Thorney on 31 Dec was also notable (GW). Breeding was confirmed from six locations: Ben Johnson Pit, Stowe Scrape, Bourne, King’s Dyke NR, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR.
2001	Common resident breeder. Relatively few records received. In the first winter period reported from (with max counts in brackets): Nene Washes (17 on 15 Jan) (RSPB); Maxey GP (11 on 11 Feb) (BT); 1-2 at Bainton GP during Jan–Feb (BT); and five at Ramsey St Mary's 3 Jan (RES). Summer records included a pair with one young at King’s Dyke NR 10 May (GW). The only other proof of breeding came from Ferry Meadows CP where four three-week old youngsters were seen 17 Sep (SPD). At Ferry Meadows CP a max of 11 on 31 Jul (MJW), and elsewhere 1–2 birds recorded from Maxey GP, Nene Washes (High Wash) and Bainton GP throughout the summer. In autumn, max of ten at Prior’s Fen GP 27 Sep (BHS), with eight at Deeping Lakes NR 16 Sep (TW), but only two seen on the 17 Sep WeBS count of the entire Nene Washes (RSPB). Late autumn and second winter period records from: 1–2 Bainton GP Oct–Dec (BT); 11 at Maxey GP 22 Dec (BT); one at King’s Dyke NR 23 Dec; two at Deeping Lakes NR 21 Dec (BT); and 13 on Deeping High Bank 31 Dec (BT).
2000	Common resident. Highest counts made during wildfowl counts at the Nene Washes included 35 in late April, 33 on 13 Dec and 35 on 18 Dec, with 20+ noted in November along a short stretch of the counter drain on the north side of the Stanground and High Washes. At Deeping Mere, 24 on 5 Feb and 3-4 were noted regularly throughout the year at North Bank. At the Nene Washes, 56 pairs was considered an under-estimate.
1999	Common resident. No records for the first winter period away from the Nene Washes, the largest count being 33 on 21 Mar. A minimum of 75 pairs was esimated for the whole of the washes. In October, counts included 13 at Bainton GP 10 Oct, nine at Yaxley GP 10 Oct and five at Morborne Hill 13 Oct. December sightings included 28 at Washingley 5 Dec, 32 at Drysides BP 19 Dec, 32 on the Nene Washes and 22 at Baston & Langtoft GP 28 Dec.
1998	Common resident. Widespread but poorly recorded. Two pairs at Milton golf course fledged seven young (WEW). Nene Washes: Highest count was 48 (15 Mar). Post-flood, an estimated 30 pairs nested on the reserve and many young were seen. There were at least six pairs each at March Farmers and Eldernell Pit.
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