Peterborough Bird Club annual report Peregrine Falco peregrinus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage and winter migrant. For the first time in a number of years, recorded in all months of the year but with most records in the two winter periods and generally from the Nene Washes. During the first winter period and spring period, 1-2 birds were at the Nene Washes during Jan-Mar (RSPB) with three there on 4 Jan (MAW) and three there on 24 Mar (RSPB). One on 10 Apr was often seen chasing the White Stork that was also present on the Nene Washes (JT). Elsewhere during this period, up to two birds were present at a further 12 locations. During Jun-Aug, single birds were recorded from six locations. On the Nene Washes, up to three were present in during the second winter period; elsewhere there were single birds at 11 locations.
2002	Scarce passage and winter migrant. A sighting of this species is always guaranteed to brighten up the coldest day at Eldernell. Up to three birds were regularly sighted on the Nene Washes during the first winter period, with the last spring bird recorded on 15 May (JT). One was seen at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 21 Jul (RMP). Returning birds in the autumn were seen from 14 Sep (GRH, CH) with 1-2 birds the present until the year's end. Away from the Washes, the only other reports of this species during were of single birds recorded at Deeping Lakes NR, Etton, Helpston, Milton Park, Orton Wistow, Sawtry, Stamford, Tallington GP and Woodwalton Fen NNR.
2001	Scarce passage and winter migrant. Wintering birds on the Nene Washes often prove popular with best views usually obtained from Eldernell. Records of single birds (involving at least birds – two adults and an immature) regularly from the Nene Washes 2 Jan–18 Apr (MO), with two there 7 Feb (RSPB). Away from the washes, single birds recorded from Benwick 10 Jan (RES) and Baston Fen NR 27 Jan (JR). With no sightings on the Nene Washes since 18 Apr, a single bird there 21 May (RSPB) and a pair seemingly displaying over Orton Malborne 25 May (KWi) were probably late migrants. In the second half of the year, the first returning bird was recorded from the Nene Washes (Eldernell) on 23 Aug (SPD) with records of single birds (involving immature male and female and adult male and female) regularly until the year's end (MO) with two birds together on 16 Dec (JT). Birds seen at Ferry Meadows CP on 1st and  19 Sep (TD, CP) and 14 Dec (TD), and an adult male at Flag Fen 8 Nov (BHS) could refer to birds wandering from the washes. Single birds also seen near Woodnewton (watched distantly from Elton) 9 Sep (BHS), Southwick Wood 20 Nov (LM, TM), Welland Bank GP 2 Dec (TW), Longthorpe 12 Dec (RBr) and at Baston Fen NR 25th (KKH) and 30 Dec (JR).
2000	Rare winter visitor; migrant. As usual, the Nene Washes accounted for the majority of the records. In the first winter period, a pair was noted until 30 Mar, with three on 27 Mar. Elsewhere, singles were at Baston Fen NR 30 Jan, Peterborough (male) 10 Feb and Milton Park and Elton 28 Feb. One at the power station 13-15 Mar was almost certainly one of the regular Nene Washes birds. One was again on the Nene Washes on 8 Apr, with a male and female there 22 Apr-4 May and another single 30 Jun Elsewhere, there was a single bird at Deeping High Bank on 5 Apr, a further bird at Morborne Hill on 13 May, one at the Nene Washes High Wash on 30 Jun and one flew over Market Deeping 13 Aug. Sightings increased during September with at least nine records at the Nene Washes between 7 Sep and 12 Dec, with three different birds involved. The only other sighting was one at Bainton GP on 10 Sep.
1999	Rare winter visitor, migrant and possibly non-breeding resident. In the first winter period at the Nene Washes, an adult male and an immature female present 1 Jan-28 Mar. A sub-adult male was present throughout April and was replaced by an adult male to 31 May. Displaying Snipe were hunted and mass panic among the breeding Lapwings was noted. Away from the washes, one was seen eating a feral pigeon (Rock Dove) at Baston & Langtoft GP 10 Jan (KW), one flew over Deacon's School, Peterborough 26 Feb (MJW) and one was at Morborne Hill 3 Apr (TW). Later in the year at the Nene Washes, an immature female was noted 16 Sep and on several dates into October. Two adult females were present on the RSPB reserve on 19 Sep but not after this date. A bird perched on the edge of the Decoy Wood was knocked off by a Kestrel 2 Nov (GRH). A male 10-23 Nov was joined briefly on 16 Nov by another male. There was only one December record, on 23rd.
1998	Rare winter visitor. Birds were seen at Wansford on 30 Mar, 3 May and 10 Sep (CBR), Baston & Langtoft GP on 1 Aug (AFB), a juvenile at Fletton BP on 15 Sep (GW), Ferry Meadows CP on 18 Sep (CBR), at Helpston on 22 Nov (CBR), on the west side of Flag Fen on 10-11 Dec (WEW) and over Peterborough on 21 Dec (WEW). Nene Washes: Present to the end of March, usually singly though four together on 16 Jan was unprecedented. Scarcer in February. One was present from 7-23 Aug. Singles were noted on 23 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Nov and 23 Nov, then a pair seen on several dates in December. One was seen mobbing a Hen Harrier on 5 Dec (GRH) and stooping at a Short-eared Owl on 6 Dec (RA).
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