Peterborough Bird Club annual report  Shelduck Tadorna tadorna | A | Locally fairly common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant, scarce winter visitor. Present from the start of the year, birds were reported from a total of 16 sites through January to the end of March. These were usually singles or pairs although six were at Prior's Fen GP on 18 Jan (MF). On the Nene Washes, the maximum count was of 160 during March (WeBS). During the breeding season, away from the Nene Washes reports came from only seven sites, usually involving 1-2 birds; an exceptional count was 12 at Deeping Lakes NR on 27 Jul (RB, WB). There was the usual evacuation of birds to moult during the late summer, with only three records of single birds from August to November. In December, single birds reappeared at Deeping Lakes NR 9 Dec and 21 Dec (RB, WB) with four at Dog-in-a-Doublet 18 Dec (BHS, KAF) and two at Prior's Fen GP 27 Dec (MW). Sightings of young birds away from the Nene Washes were confined to a juvenile at Fletton BP on 31 Jul (BHS) and another at Prior's Fen GP on 27 Aug (MW). However, the latter bird may have originated from breeding on the Nene Washes, where 24 pairs were noted all along the River Nene.
2002	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant, scarce winter visitor. Peak counts on the Nene Washes were of 118 on 3 Mar (RSPB), with 22 seen at Prior's Fen GP on 1 Mar (BHS). Away from the Nene Washes and Prior's Fen GP, small numbers present in Jan and early Feb with 1-4 birds present at Orton BP, Baston Fen NR and Fletton BP. Numbers increased during Feb and Mar with returning breeding birds. Breeding records were only received from the Nene Washes, with at least 24 pairs reported: High Wash 1, RSPB Low Wash 15+, Eldernell Wash 1, March Farmers 5, Ring's End 3 (RSPB). Accurate counts on the RSPB Low Wash were complicated by up to 78 birds feeding on reserve pools into mid May; a minimum of 45 large juveniles were noted along the River Nene on 10 Jul (RSPB). Most birds in the PBC area departed, presumably to the coast, in Aug. Single birds were reported during the second winter period from five sites with five on the Nene Washes on 9 Dec (RSPB) and three at Prior's Fen GP on 30 Dec (GW).
2001	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant, scarce winter visitor. Small numbers began to move inland along the river and drain corridors from mid-January prospecting for nest sites suitable for their burrowing habits. Records upstream of the Nene Washes and along the River Welland were mainly of 1–6 birds, through to mid-May, from Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Baston & Langtoft GP, Borough Fen, Deeping Lakes NR, Deeping High Bank, Prior’s Fen GP, King’s Dyke NR and Ferry Meadows CP. Some were present at sites for several weeks but other than on the Nene Washes, all this typical spring activity rarely results in breeding – even at Deeping Lakes NR, where up to 14 were present 8–13 Apr in apparently ideal habitat (TW). On the washes however, where most breeding birds had arrived by mid-Feb, 46 pairs were located, of which eight pairs on the RSPB reserve fledged 25 young (RSPB). Post-breeding dispersal was typically rapid. After 130 were noted at March Farmers 13 Jun (MM, OM), few records were received but did include one as far west as Wittering 3 Nov (BHS). An isolated winter record of four at Deeping Lakes NR 31 Dec (BT).
2000	Common spring migrant and breeder on Nene Washes; scarce elsewhere. A very good year on the Nene Washes, with 37 pairs fledging 50 young on the RSPB reserve and a further 11 pairs breeding in the March Farmers area. Numbers built up in spring to a maximum of 132 in April, but few remained after August and a peak then of only 16 in December. One to four birds were noted at 11 other sites, mainly in spring. A particularly notable count was of 26 at Peakirk 5 Apr (DB), also ten at Deeping Lakes NR 16 Apr, nine at Deeping High Bank 12 May and 11 east over Orton BP 2 Jul.
1999	Common spring migrant and breeder on Nene Washes; elsewhere a scarce migrant and rare breeder. A potential of 34 pairs on the Nene Washes, but very few broods raised. A late January count of 109 was unusually high. The more typical spring influx peaked at 169 in March, but one 1-3 present in mid-November. One to six birds noted at numerous other sites, again mainly in spring, but breeding only confirmed at Ferry Meadows CP and Baston & Langtoft GP, where three juveniles still present 4 Jul (TW).
1998	Scarce summer visitor; migrant. Small numbers of up to four birds were noted on odd days throughout the year, with records coming from Maxey GP, Peakirk, Baston & Langtoft GP, Ferry Meadows CP, Tallington GP, North Bank and Deeping Lakes NR. A pair at Dog-in-a-Doublet on 22 May had young (BHS). Nene Washes: Good numbers were present from 18 Jan, with 43 then 96 through February, reducing to 58 by late April. Exceptional numbers remained through May and June, peaking at 143 on 18 May. The largest concentration was on March Farmers set-aside, with 96 on 3 Jun. Breeding was disrupted due to flooding. However, five broods were seen and a minimum of 24 reached the flying stage.
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