PBC: Redshank

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Redshank Tringa totanus | A | Locally common

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

Table: Redshank pairs on the Nene Washes

2003

Common migrant breeder and winter migrant to the Nene Washes, rare breeder and scarce passage migrant elsewhere.
The Nene Washes held the largest numbers during the first winter period with 127 there on 16 Feb, rising to a peak of 250 on 21 Mar (RSPB). Away from the Nene Washes, the only notable counts were 30 between Padholme PS and North Bank SF on 31 Jan (BHS).
Numbers in early autumn were very low, with numbers only building during November. Up to 60 birds present on the Nene Washes during Nov and Dec with up to 41 birds present on Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR during November. A grand total of 177 pairs bred on the Nene Washes during 2003 (see table below); breeding was also confirmed at Serpentine BP and Prior’s Fen GP.

2002

Common migrant breeder and winter migrant to the Nene Washes, rare breeder and scarce passage migrant elsewhere.
Peak counts were of 149 at Nene Washes on 14 Jan and 208 there on 19 Nov (both RSPB). Counts away from the Washes were much lower and included 15 at Baston Fen NR on 14 Jan (JR) and 24 at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Dec (DG). Up to 30 birds were present at Padholme PS between 4-13 Jan (BHS et al) with 33 there on 14 Mar (BHS) and smaller numbers up to 3 Apr.
Most breeding records came from the Nene Washes with 182 pairs (see table below); elsewhere, young birds seen at Baston & Langtoft GP and Fletton BP, with breeding suspected at Hampton Lakes and King’s Dyke NR.

2001

Common migrant breeder and winter migrant to the Nene Washes, rare breeder and scarce passage migrant elsewhere.
During the first winter period, numbers peaked on the Nene Washes at 205 on 15 Jan, with 110 on 7 Feb and 80 on 1 Mar (RSPB). Elsewhere recorded from near Eye (two on 1 Jan), singles at Maxey GP and Baston & Langtoft GP 14 Jan, three at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR 18 Jan and up to six at Baston Fen NR from 25 Jan-4 Feb. In March, recorded from Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping Fen, Ferry Meadows CP, King’s Dyke NR and Hampton Lakes (maximum 32 on 25 Mar) (NCr).
First territories were established in April, with birds present at all the above sites plus Deeping Lakes NR and Prior’s Fen GP. Up to 20 birds remained, including several displaying, at Hampton Lakes (GW, SPD). 183 pairs were censused on the Nene Washes on 11 May (RSPB), with juveniles seen there on 22 July (MW). See table below. No proof of breeding received from any other site.
Away from the Nene Washes, 1-4 birds were regularly recorded from Deeping Lakes NR and Prior’s Fen GP throughout Jul-Aug.
Second winter period records from Nene Washes (max. 42 on 16 Dec) (RSPB), Deeping Lakes NR, Prior’s Fen GP, Fletton BP, Baston & Langtoft GP, Baston Fen NR (max. 10 on 21 Dec), Ferry Meadows CP, North Bank SF (max six on 30 Dec) (BHS) and Orton BP.

2000

Common summer and winter visitor to Nene Washes; uncommon migrant/winter visitor and rare breeder elsewhere.
In the first winter period, 62 on Nene Washes 10 Jan, 57 on 13 Feb and 181 on 12 Mar. There were 65 at Deeping High Bank on 8 Jan, 14 at Baston & Langtoft GP 23 Jan, 12 at Hampton Lakes from 12 Mar. Elsewhere, under ten at Elton, Ferry Meadows CP, Baston Fen NR, Langtoft Drain, Stowgate, Drysides BP and Fletton BP. Spring passage was particularly noted at Hampton Lakes, where there were 25 on 30 Apr, increasing to 39 by 3 Jun, but few elsewhere.
On the Nene Washes, 192 breeding pairs were noted (see table below). In Jul-Oct, 50 at the High Wash 8 Jul, decreasing to 16 by 17 Jul, then one 24 Aug. One to eight birds only at six other sites, however.
During Nov-Dec, the washes held 50 on 4 Nov and 195 on 18 Dec including a single flock of 144 at the edge of the flooded washes at Ring's End.

1999

Common summer and winter visitor to Nene Washes; uncommon migrant/winter visitor and rare breeder elsewhere.
In the first winter period at the Nene Washes, 86-112 were present throughout January and February, with a peak count of 180 on 21 Mar. Elsewhere, four were at Baston Fen NR on 24 Jan with 15 there on 28 Feb. Hampton Lakes had 3-10 birds in March, with a peak count of 14 on 13 Mar. Ferry Meadows CP held 1-5 birds until 19 Apr.
Baston & Langtoft GP had a peak of eight 18 Mar and at Fletton BP, three in March and two in April. Four were present at Milton Folly storm reservoir 12-15 Feb. One was at Tansor 13 Mar and 20 Mar, two at Crown Lakes CP 15 Mar and three at Warmington Mill 4 Apr. At Nene Washes, there were 202 pairs (141 in 1998), 137 of which were on the RSPB reserve. See table below. In spring, up to eight were at Hampton Lakes with three pairs rearing young. At Baston & Langtoft GP, an adult was seen with three chicks on 6 Jul.
In the second winter period at the Nene Washes, singles were seen throughout October with nine 31 Oct, building to a peak of 47 22 Nov, decreasing throughout December to 18. Elsewhere, the Hampton area had birds on six dates 23 Oct-19 Dec, maximum of nine on 20 Nov. Deeping High Bank held 15 on 28 Dec, with 16 at Baston Fen NR 24 Dec, and 11 by 26 Dec.

1998

Common summer visitor, migrant.
Birds were well-reported from all suitable habitat, with sightings every month of the year. Peak counts included ten at Baston & Langtoft GP (21 Mar), eight at Ferry Meadows CP (16 Dec), six at Orton BP (16 Dec) and "many" at Hampton on 18 Apr. Other records came from Baston Fen NR and Dog-in-a-Doublet.
Nene Washes: While the washes were flooded in April, a minimum of 20 pairs nested on arable land to the north side of the reserve. See table below. There was a total of 141 pairs. Last year's total was 108. Large numbers of juveniles were seen in July and August.
In winter, the 84 in January were mainly on the tidal Nene at March Farmers, which is now an important wintering site. In late January and throughout February, up to 57 were back on the reserve with 68 on 15 Mar as the breeding stock built up. Up to five in October increased to 78 at the month's end, with 53 on 8 Nov and 70 on 26 Nov, then down to 30 through December, most moving to March Farmers at the year's end.

Breeding pairs of Redshank on the Nene Washes

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
RSPB reserve		100	137	140		132	116
Stanground Wash		1
High Wash		18		12		11	22
Eldernell Wash		13		18		9	17
March Farmers		5		10		26	15
Ring's End		4		12		4	7
total	108	141	202	192	183	187	177