PBC: Ringed Plover

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula | A | Fairly common

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant.
Recorded between January and September. During the winter period, six birds present at Etton GP on 8 Mar and five at Deeping Lakes NR on 28 Mar (both TW). Small numbers reported on spring passage but there was no repeat of the major passage of 2002, with no more than eight birds seen together.
During autumn passage, nine birds were present at Hampton North Lake on 19 Jun (BHS). Numbers decreased during August and September until the last record of a single bird at Deeping Lakes NR on 21 Sep (AD).
On the Nene Washes, two pairs bred at Eldernell Wash, one nest was successful but the other was destroyed; one pair also nested on High Wash (RSPB). Breeding also confirmed at Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR.

2002

Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant.
The first winter period saw an increase in the number of records. Notable counts included 10 at Fletton BP on 13 Mar (BHS) and eight at Nene Washes on 3 Mar (RSPB). A noticeable migration occurred between 6-19 May, with a significant increase in the numbers on the Nene Washes. The count of 120 on 17 May (see below) was nearly twice the previous site record (JT).

Summary of Ringed Plover counts on Nene Washes, 6-19 May 2002
Ringed Plovers on the Nene Washes in May 2002

6th	7th	9th	11th	14th	17th	18th	19th
16	14	22	13	72	120	80	70

2001

Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant.
In the first winter period, four on the Nene Washes 12 Feb (RSPB), a single at Baston & Langtoft GP 18 Feb (WB) and three at Deeping Lakes NR 25 Feb (TW). During Mar–May, spring passage was underway with a maximum count of 47 on the Nene Washes 15 May (RSPB). Elsewhere, maximum counts of six (three pairs) Deeping Lakes NR 13 Apr (TW), six at Hampton 26 Apr (GW), five at Prior’s Fen GP 22 May (GW), with four, including a mating pair, at Baston & Langtoft GP 12 May (WB). The latter site recorded two young on 13 May. One also at Baston & Langtoft GP 12 Apr.
In June, numbers remained high on the Nene Washes with 47 on 8 Jun. Sixteen birds seen there on the 10th showed characteristics of the Fenno-Scandian tundrae race. Also in June, breeding records came from the Nene Washes with a group of 15 including two juveniles 13th (RSPB), Prior’s Fen GP where a single downy chick was seen 22nd (GW) and two more downy young seen at Drysides BP on 27th (GW). Singles at Baston & Langtoft GP on 25 & 27 Jul (WB) and at Ferry Meadows CP 5 Sep (MJW). Deeping Lakes NR held 1–5 throughout Jul (max. seven on 21st) while on the Nene Washes, eight on 22 Jul and up to five during Aug (RSPB). Prior’s Fen GP had the best run of sightings during Jul–Sept with a maximum eight (including two juveniles) on 17 Jul (MW) and 31 Aug (SPD). Last of the year was a single at Prior’s Fen GP on 25 Sep (MW, TB).

2000

Rare summer visitor and uncommon migrant.
The year's first sighting was of two at Hampton Lakes on 5 Feb, followed by a steady spring passage through the Nene Washes (a maximum of 25 on 25-26 May), Fletton BP complex (up to seven on 1 Apr) and pits in the Welland valley.
Breeding records were vague, with reports of pairs at Eldernell, Deeping Lakes NR, Orton BP (where a female was noted sitting among demolition rubble), and two pairs at Baston & Langtoft GP. Two or three pairs bred at Hampton Lakes, and one was on territory at Fletton BP.
Typically, an extended autumn passage, with nine at the Nene Washes on 28 Jun and up to 20 until 22 Jul, and 1-2 at several other sites, but a maximum of just three at Prior’s Fen GP 25 Aug. A single at the Nene Washes on 30 Sep, with the last record from this location on 24 Nov.

1999

Rare summer visitor and uncommon migrant.
First bird was at the Nene Washes 4 Mar. Birds arrived in March at Hampton Lakes with a maximum of five on 18 Mar, six at Fletton BP 25 Mar, and one at Pinnard's Spinney 25 Mar. Between 1-6 were recorded almost daily on the Nene Washes 4 Mar to 26 May.
In April, two pairs were at Langtoft West End GP, Baston & Langtoft GP and in the Hampton Lakes/Orton BP area. Four were at Fletton BP 23rd and 28 Apr, and 3 Jun, with singles at Fletton scrapyard pit 4 Apr and Deeping Lakes NR 9 May. Two pairs bred on the Nene Washes, one rearing four young. In the Hampton Lakes/Orton BP, two pairs reared two and three young respectively, and a chick was seen with an adult at Baston & Langtoft GP on 23 Jul.
Return passage involved 1-7 birds daily on the Nene Washes 4-29 Jul, with one on 29 Aug. Elsewhere, Baston & Langtoft GP held birds throughout August, with a maximum of seven on 7 Sep, with the last recorded on 28 Aug.

1998

Common migrant, rare summer visitor.
Extreme dates came from Baston & Langtoft GP, with eight there on 21 Mar (AFB) and one on 17 Oct (TW), with a juvenile noted on 9 Aug. Other records came from Stowe scrape (three on 28 Mar), Tallington GP (three on 28 Mar), Dog-in-a-Doublet (3 Jun), Wyman's Bridge (15 Jul) and Fletton BP (one on 18 Aug and four on 19th).
Nene Washes: Present from 4 Mar-1 Aug. One or two were noted throughout March and April. Seen daily through May, with several passage groups noted, the best being 13 on 24th. An amazing 61 were on March Farmers on 3 Jun, with 21 there on 5 Jun and five on 7 Jun. Birds remained through June and July with up to 13 daily.