Peterborough Bird Club annual report Pintail Anas acuta | A | Locally common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common but localised winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. A species that is found only rarely away from its Nene Washes stronghold, where it is present in internationally-important numbers. When it is encountered away from the Washes, it is usually as a solitary bird or a pair. Consequently, records of nine birds (including one male) on 1 Jan at Orton BP (RB, WB) and eight (four pairs) on 7-9 Jan at Nene Park (TD, DG) were noteworthy. Other records came from Orton BP, Deeping Lakes NR, Prior's Fen GP, Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping High Bank and Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR. On the Nene Washes during the first winter period, January’s count of 822 was low due to high flood levels. Water levels dropped to optimum conditions from February and a superb count of 3,478 was recorded on 16 Feb. During the second winter period, birds were only present on the RSPB Low Wash with 18 on 31 Oct, and 31 in December (WeBS). One injured bird was present during the summer period.
2002	Common but localised winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. Up to 53 were on RSPB Low Wash in January, rising to a surprising peak of 1,250 on 10 Feb (RSPB, JT). Some 240 reported from Prior’s Fen GP on 30 Jan (SPD) were likely to be birds from the nearby Nene Washes. The first returning bird of the winter was a single at Nene Washes on 15 Sep (RSPB), followed by a rapid build-up in numbers as the Washes flooded. Numbers peaked at 1,683 on 8 Dec (RSPB). Away from the Nene Washes and Prior's Fen GP, reports were received of a single bird at Deeping Lakes NR (MO), two males at Orton BP (SPD), up to three birds at Ferry Meadows CP (DG et al) and up to four birds in the Baston Fen NR/Baston & Langtoft GP area (MO). During the breeding season, three birds were at the Nene Washes on 14 Apr (RSPB) with a single there on 14 May (RSPB), although there was no evidence of breeding. Two were present at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Aug (GW, MJW).
2001	Common but localised winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. The Nene Washes remains the stronghold for this species, with maximum monthly counts of 110 on 15 Jan, 1,300 on 29 Jan, 2,671 on 12 Feb (highest number since 1994/95 when 2,569 present) and 900 on 7 Mar (RSPB). The only other records were two at Bainton GP 14 Jan, six at Baston Fen NR 14 Feb (AD), a male at Baston & Langtoft GP 10 Feb and 8+ Dog-in-a-Doublet 8 Mar (BHS). During the breeding season, a pair on the Nene Washes, though no evidence of breeding (RSPB). Also seven on 27 Jun and a single eclipse male during Jul (MO). First autumn birds were four on the Nene Washes on 2 Sep (RSPB), with 13 on 16th and 138 on 7 Dec. The only other records were of a female at Prior’s Fen GP 19 Sep (SPD, BHS) with nine there 25th (MW), a female at Fletton BP 11–13 Oct (SPD) and nine over Deeping Lakes NR 2 Dec (TW).
2000	Regular winter visitor and rare breeder, but scarce away from the Nene Washes. Two potential breeding pairs were on the Nene Washes. Only records for other sites were of six birds at Baston & Langtoft GP on 17 Sep and one at Prior’s Fen GP 8 and 30 Sep. Peak counts on the Nene Washes were 1,100 on 4 Jan (but down to just 233 by the 16th), and 2,152 in December, after the first arrivals on 30 Sep.
1999	Regular winter visitor and rare breeder on Nene Washes; scarce visitor elsewhere. Five at Ferry Meadows CP 6 Oct, four at Tansor GP on 23 Jan, singles at Burghley Park 24 Jan, Baston & Langtoft GP 11 Sep and Fletton BP/Orton BP 2 Sep and 25 Dec. The Nene Washes dominated all counts, with up to 2,300 on 20 Jan, 2,260 mid-March, 34 returning birds 24 Oct and up to 303 on 14 Dec. Six were present though April.
1998	Scarce winter visitor. Nene Washes: The January flood quickly drew in 850 to the reserve (9 Jan) and built up to 1,668 over the whole wash (18 Feb). Numbers of 584 showed that the birds soon moved on, probably back to the Ouse and the counts there support this. A pair present on 9 Apr looked good for breeding. Alas, the flood put an end to that, though a drake was present in May-Jun but no firm evidence was gathered. First autumn birds arrived on 18 Sep, with eight followed by a couple of singles in October, and then a build-up to 225 (8 Nov) and 280 at the year's end.
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