Peterborough Bird Club annual report Long-eared Owl Asio otus | A | Quite rare resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Quite rare resident. At Ferry Meadows CP, singles recorded on eight occasions through the year (DG, MJW); singles were at Deeping Lakes NR on two occasions with four there on 4 Oct (WB). Two birds were at Farcet Fen on 30 Jul with three there on 27 Aug (both SPD). At Bassenhally on 7 May, two calling females and one calling male (SPD); nearby at Eldernell, up to two birds were reported on 4 Jan (KAF, MW, MJW). Singles were also reported from Bradford Bridge and Crowtree (Farcet Fen), King’s Dyke NR and Woodwalton Fen NNR. One found with a broken wing at Elton on 2 Feb was taken into care but failed to recover (BHS).
2002	Quite rare resident. Most records during 2002 came from the Nene Washes area and probably refer to the local breeding population. One was reported from Eldernell on four occasions in the latter part of the year. Two were reported from March Farmers during November, with one seen chasing a Jackdaw on 24 Nov (MM, OM). Away from the Nene Washes, one was at Deeping Lakes NR on 26 Jul (WB) and there were regular sightings of birds at Woodwalton Fen NNR. Possibly the most surprising record was of a single bird on a patio in Newborough on 17 Nov (WB). Breeding records were received from Bassenhally Pits and Woodwalton Fen NNR.
2001	Rare resident breeder and winter migrant. Like Tawny Owl, this largely nocturnal species is most commonly detected by its voice in the early part of the year. It maintains a precarious position as a breeding bird and is generally only reported from a few traditional sites. It may go undetected elsewhere both as a breeding and wintering bird. As a result of access restrictions to the known breeding sites, there were reports from just two locations in 2001. Encouragingly, one of these was of two birds roosting at a new site for the species in early February.
2000	Rare resident and scarce winter visitor. A difficult species, due to its very nocturnal habits, although not uncommonly seen hunting during summer evenings (in a similar way to Barn Owl) and vocally quite distinctive. Limited evidence of breeding, but two calling males and wing-clapping heard at Woodwalton Fen NNR 12 May (GRH) and a male calling regularly at Eldernell during May, with two juveniles there 19 Aug (GRH). Elsewhere, one at Swaddywell GP 9 Jan, one at at Castor Hanglands NNR 6 Feb, with two on 4 Mar (RA), and a single at Ferry Meadows CP 11 Feb (DG), Hampton Lakes 25 Mar (CBR), High Wash 6 Mar, Orton BP 16 Mar and 7 Apr (DP), Crown Lakes CP hunting over grassland 22 May (GW) and the Nene Washes RSPB reserve 5 Jul, also during the day (CK).
1999	Scarce winter visitor, has bred. During the first winter period, singles were seen at Ferry Meadows CP and Castor Hanglands NNR on several dates (RA), where a pair was seen 15 Apr. An encouraging flurry of summer records came from several sites: Beeby's BP, Castor Hanglands NNR, Eldernell, Nene Washes and confirmed breeding near the Dog-in-a-Doublet 17 Jul (MJW). No information was received from the traditional sites at Bassenhally and Woodwalton Fen NNR. In the second winter period, roosting birds were detected at Beeby's BP 20 Nov (GW), five at Deeping Lakes NR 14 Nov (BT), and a bird seen regularly around dusk at Eldernell.
1998	Rare resident, scarce winter visitor. Records came from Milton Golf Course on 3 Jan (WEW) and Ferry Meadows CP on 29 Sep (GRH). Up to five were at Woodwalton Fen NNR in January but none bred, largely due to high water levels (breeding previously annual from 1978, with a peak of 14 pairs in 1986) (CBR).
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