Peterborough Bird Club annual report Water Rail Rallus aquaticus | A | Scarce resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce resident breeder and winter migrant. Most records during the first winter period were on 1-2 birds with reports from 10 locations, a slight increase over 2002. Three were at Eldernell on 1 Jan (RB, WB) and three were recorded regularly at Woodwalton Fen NNR during this period, where the peak count of the year was of seven on 5 Feb (SPD). Up to three birds were reported from 14 separate locations including Maxey GP and Tanholt GP. An incomplete breeding survey on the Nene Washes revealed a minimum of eight territories on Low Wash and one at March Farmers. Elsewhere, calling birds were noted at Holme Fen NNR, Ferry Meadows CP and Fletton BP. Single juveniles were recorded at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Jul (DG) and 7 Aug (KAF, SPD). A pair was also recorded breeding near a supermarket in Yaxley (KWa).
2002	Scarce resident breeder and winter migrant. During the first winter period, 1-2 birds reported from Orton BP, Drysides BP, Ferry Meadows CP, Baston Fen NR, Fletton BP and King’s Dyke NR. Four were at Eldernell Pits and 3 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 1 Jan. During the autumn and second winter period, birds were reported from 14 locations including Stibbingon GP, Thurlby Fen and Woodston Reach. The peak count was at Woodwalton Fen NNR with 14 on 23 Nov (KW). During the breeding season, calling birds were present at four locations: two at Eldernell Pits (BHS), five at Nene Washes Low Wash (RSPB) and single birds at Fletton BP (BHS) and Deeping Lakes NR (WB). The only confirmed records of breeding came from Ferry Meadows CP, with at least three successful broods noted. A pair seen there on 17 Jun had seven tiny chicks (MJW).
2001	Scarce resident breeder and winter migrant. Despite the appeal of this species and ease in identifying calling birds, relatively few records were received. During the first winter period, 1–2 recorded from Ferry Meadows CP (RD), King’s Dyke NR (GW), Baston Fen NR (JR, WB) and Orton BP (GW). Along the Nene Washes, 3-4 birds regularly heard (RSPB, MCo, JC). One to two birds regularly recorded from all the above sites during the spring and summer, with a week–old juvenile on the Nene Washes 29 Aug being the only proof of breeding (RSPB). A single bird was seen regularly at Ferry Meadows CP in Sep (MO), two birds on the Nene Washes 10 Sep (RSPB) and at Deeping Lakes NR 20 Oct (WB). At least five calling birds at Thurlby Slipe 27 Oct (WB). During Nov, 2–3 reported from both Ferry Meadows CP (TD) and Woodwalton Fen NNR (KW, MM, OM). At Baston Fen NR, one on 5 Nov had been joined by three others by 23 Dec with one bird present there to the end of the year (JT, TW). Likewise at Nene Washes, numbers rose from one early Nov to three birds on 29 Dec (MO), with seven (the year’s highest count) on the wider Nene Washes on the 16 Dec (RSPB).
2000	Scarce resident and winter visitor. Heard regularly at the Nene Washes in both winter periods, with a maximum of three seen on Eldernell 18 Dec. Two were at Frank's Pit 1 Jan. Elsewhere in the first winter period, singles were at: Ferry Meadows CP on 1 Jan, 14 Feb, 18th and 26 Mar; Tanholt GP 9 Jan; Orton BP 12 Feb; Bainton GP 13 Feb; Drysides BP 5th and 12 Mar; Ferry Meadows CP 18 Mar and Baston Fen NR 19 Mar. In April, one was at Thurlby Slipe 22nd and two were at Drysides BP 23 Apr. At the Nene Washes, nine pairs were on the Nene Washes, with two at Eldernell and a single at Eldernell Pit. In the second half of the year, singles were at Drysides BP 2 Jul and 10 Nov, Baston Fen NR 13 Nov and Ferry Meadows CP 19th and 26 Sep. Two were at Drysides BP 20 Aug, 17 Oct and Orton BP 16 Nov. Three were at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 16 Nov and five were at Baston Fen NR 28 Dec.
1999	Scarce resident and winter visitor. In the first winter period, the only regular sightings came from Orton BP, with a maximum of six there 12 Jan. Elsewhere, they were recorded as present on the Nene Washes, including one at Ring's End 31 Jan, with another flushed at Stanground Wash 20 Feb. A minimum of 11 territories were found on the RSPB reserve, with a single at Eldernell Pit. In July, a young bird was noted at Baston & Langtoft GP 4 Jul and one on the wader scrape at Ferry Meadows CP. In August, five were seen together in a Nene Washes grazing marsh ditch, with three calling there 5 Sep. October and November accounted for many of the year's sightings. Three records came from Ferry Meadows CP and Baston Fen NR, including three at the latter on 28 Oct, four from Orton BP, two calling at Drysides BP 17 Oct, with one there on 20 Nov; also noted on the Nene Washes. In December, birds were at Orton BP 12th and 19 Dec, Drysides BP, and a single seen feeding in a garden at Deeping St James 30 Dec (BT). At the Nene Washes, five were noted, including two on ice along Morton's Leam on 19 Dec.
1998	Rare resident, scarce winter visitor. One or two birds were noted at Ferry Meadows CP from Jan-Mar and Sep-Oct and four called at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 1 Feb (ARF). Two were at Baston Fen NR on 25 Jul (AFB) with one there on 5 Aug. One was at Crown Lakes CP on 21 Dec (GW) and one or two were noted at Orton BP from 18 Nov. Nene Washes: Present all year on the reserve and at Eldernell Pit. Breeding territories were: RSPB reserve: 9 Eldernell Wash: 1 Eldernell Pit: 2 Counter Drain: 1
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