Peterborough Bird Club annual report Osprey Pandion haliaeetus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant. One drifted north-west at Prior’s Fen GP on 26 May (SPD, KAF); a quick phone call meant the same bird was seen at Deeping Lakes NR, 25 minutes later (RB, WB)! Another was seen at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 27 May (ES), then at Holme Fen and Farcet Fen on the 28 May (SPD). Singles were also seen at Baston village on 30 Aug (PNW), Elton on 6 Sep (BHS), Ferry Meadows CP on 7 Sep (BHS). Two were recorded from Holme Fen on 11 Sep (KW), a single bird flew south over Elton on 12 Sep (BHS) and two flew south over Nassington on 20 Sep (BHS, KS).
2002	Scarce passage migrant. Another good year with 10 records of this impressive raptor. The first two sightings were on 4 Apr with one flying over Thorpe Wood (GRH) and possibly the same bird in a tree on Oundle Road, near Orton Mere (SPD). A single seen at Elton on 19 May was seen to be carrying a fish (BHS) and further singles were noted at Nene Washes on 30 Jun (RSPB), Apethorpe on 28 Jul (BHS) and Nassington on 11 Aug (BHS); the Nassington bird was seen drifting north in the same thermal as a juvenile Red Kite. The remaining records came in the autumn period and were of birds migrating south; singles were at Morborne Hill on 7 Sep (SPD), Prior’s Fen GP on 23 Sep (BHS) and Woodwalton Fen NNR on 13 Oct (MM, OM).
2001	Scarce passage migrant. A good year, with 11 records. The first was seen circling over King’s Dyke NR before heading off north-east 21 Apr (ABu). In May, singles over the Nene Washes on 8th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 21th, 22nd and 24th (RSPB), and one at Deeping Lakes NR on 13th (BHS). One over Orton Longueville village high to the east 24 Jun (SPD). With the Rutland Water population growing, we can perhaps expect to see the number of records rise as Rutland birds wander down the nearby river corridors.
2000	Rare migrant. The first of the year was seen at Eldernell/March Farmers before drifting north on 12 Apr (DP). In May, one headed north-east at Morborne Hill on 13 May (SC). Another was watched devouring a fish, perched on a telegraph pole near Upton 22 May (JR), with a third at the Nene Washes on 29 May. In autumn, singles were at Bainton GP on 8 Sep (AB), Orton BP, flying south along the A1 13 Sep (DP), a juvenile at Deeping High Bank/Deeping Lakes NR 16 Sep (AD, AB) and one flew south at Morborne Hill on 22 Sep (DP), with the last of the year one at Orton Waterville 5 Oct. This species is a summer visitor to Rutland Water and records in the west of the PBC area may increase as a result.
1999	Rare but annual migrant. The first in spring flew over Woodwalton Fen NNR on 11 Apr (TW). The next was at Castor Hanglands NNR 8 May (NC et al), followed by one flying north along the A1 on 9 May (DP et al). In the autumn, a bird was at Eldernell, hunting over the pit at Morton's Leam 26 Sep (MJW). The final sighting was of a single noted over the Low Wash fishing pits 13 Oct.
1998	Rare migrant. A bird was seen at Ferry Meadows CP flying north-west towards Castor Hanglands NNR on 17 Apr (RAH), with another at Ferry Meadows CP on 25 Apr and one over Northborough/Maxey 25 May (CBR). A returning bird fished at Maxey GP on 4 Sep (BT).
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