Peterborough Bird Club annual report Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce migrant breeder and scarce passage migrant. The first records were of singles on 17 Apr at The Embankment, Peterborough and along the footpath between London Road and Pedigree factory in Woodston (both SPD). Six were at Bainton GP on 20 Apr, five of them on the heath behind the main pit (BT). At least six were singing at Castor Hanglands NNR on 30 Apr (mo) and one was singing behind “Linnet” in Orton Wistow on 2 May (JW). Up to three heard at Ferry Meadows CP on 4-5 May (HB, SPD, KAF). Other records received from Helpston, Orton BP and Woodwalton Fen NNR. The last record was of three at Orton BP on 21 Jun. A Danish-ringed bird trapped at Bainton GP on 7 Jun (CHu) - pictured - was very interesting; the species is only a passage migrant in Denmark (see below). Danish-ringed Nightingale controlled at Bainton GP. Chris Hughes writes: "The Nightingale was caught on 7 June 2003 at Bainton, one one of my CES sites. I'd left home very early in dry weather to drive the 50km to my site. On arrival, it was absolutely tipping it down with rain, so I dozed off to sleep for an hour or so and then decided to do a bit of 'gardening' along the net rides before packing it in for the day. "As I got to my first net ride, the rain suddenly stopped, so I whipped the nets up smartish. By 0800, I'd caught my first birds, including a female Nightingale for ringing and a retrap male Nightingale ringed at this site in 2002. I subsequently caught two more females at 0900 and 1030 and finally, the Danish-ringed bird at 1250. Just to add even more interest, I caught an Italian-ringed Lesser Whitethroat, too! "I duly reported the birds to the BTO and later in June, Mark Grantham, Recoveries Officer at the BTO, let me know that the bird had been ringed as a second year bird at Tipperne, Egvad, Jylland, Denmark on 1 May 2002. Nightingales don't breed in Denmark and this one may have been passing through on its way to Poland. Only 45 have been ringed in Denmark and this was their first-ever recovery." Image © Kjeld Tommy Pederson - Copenhagen Ringing Centre. Click to view larger version.
2002	Scarce migrant breeder and scarce passage migrant. This ever-popular species can be heard singing from a number of sites in the PBC area. The first record was of a singing bird at Orton BP on 14 Apr (SPD). More were heard at Bainton GP (MHo) and Papley Gorse (BHS) on 20 Apr, Castor Hanglands NNR 21 Apr (KAF), Woodwalton Fen NNR 25 Apr (BHS), with five songsters heard at Bainton GP on 28 Apr, two at Southey Wood 28 Apr and eight at Castor Hanglands NNR on 1 May (RAs). Two sang at Holme Fen NNR on 11 May (BMe). The last was recorded at Castor Hanglands NNR on 2 Jun (RG). This bird is very elusive when not singing and birds were no doubt present in the PBC area much later than this.
2001	Scarce migrant breeder and scarce passage migrant. Reported singing from seven sites, but many areas out of bounds due to Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions during the time most birds would be singing. Bainton GP dominates the records with the first of the year, two there 12 Apr (TW), with a peak count of 12 singing 26 Apr (BT). The last report was of at least six on 19 May (MF). Also reported from Baston & Langtoft GP in Apr with three on 15th (BT) and one on 28th (TW). In May, one singing at Orton BP on 3rd (GW), one at Orton Malborne on 11–12th (RW) and three singing at Southey Wood on 12th (BHS). The last report was of one at Ferry Meadows CP 28 Jul (MJW).
2000	Uncommon summer visitor. First recorded this year at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Apr, with further records from Bainton GP, Holme Fen NNR, Haddon Crossing, Glapthorn Cow Pasture, Castor Hanglands NNR and Orton Mere. Records of six singing birds at Bainton GP 22 Apr and eight on 1 May indicate the density of this species at this site. Other singing males included four at Holme Fen NNR, two at Car Dyke, two at Woodwalton Fen NNR, 1–2 at Monk’s Wood NNR and singles at Ben Johnson Pit, Haddon and Orton Mere (CBR). Last recorded on 13 Jun at Castor Hanglands NNR.
1999	Uncommon summer visitor. The first singing bird was noted at Bainton GP on 18 Apr, where eight pairs were confirmed as breeding during this year's national census. One or two singing birds were heard at the following sites: Orton BP; New Road roundabout; Holme Fen NR; Woodwalton Fen NNR; Thorpe Wood; Baston & Langtoft GP; Morborne Hill; Papley Gorse; Shire Hill Wood. At least six territories were held at Castor Hanglands NNR.
1998	Common summer visitor. The first bird arrived back at Baston & Langtoft GP on 22 Apr (AFB), with nine singing birds there on 31 May. Five were reported from Castor Hanglands NNR on 26 Apr (RA) and others were at Holme Fen NNR, Milton golf course, Baston & Langtoft GP, Morborne Hill, Papley Gorse and Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR.
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