Peterborough Bird Club annual report Siskin Carduelis spinus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. Sparsely scattered throughout the area with some large winter flocks, particularly at Woodwalton Fen NNR and, to a lesser degree, at Ferry Meadows CP. Notable counts included 150+ at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 19 Feb (MH), 55 at Bluebell Wood on 27 Nov (DG). Between 10-30 birds recorded from Crown Lakes CP, Lord’s Holt, Parnwell roundabout, Serpentine BP and Simon’s Wood. One in a garden at Langtoft on 30 Apr (AA, PA) and two at Morborne Hill on 14 Sep (SE, RPa) represented the last and first of the seasons.
2002	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. Larger flocks of this winter migrant were noted during the winter period, compared to 2001. Maxima of 100+ at Ferry Meadows CP on 15 Jan (TD) and 250 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 2 Mar (RMP). During spring passage, birds were recorded at Dogsthorpe, Elton, Helpston, Gunthorpe and Woodwalton Fen NNR. Numbers were slightly lower during the second winter period, with the first report of two at Ferry Meadows CP on 24 Sep (MJW). Notable flocks were 50 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 8 Dec (RMP) and a maximum of 70 at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Dec (TD).
2001	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. A flock of 15 was recorded from Southey Wood 3 Jan (GRH). Otherwise very scarce with a single at Newborough 12 Jan (DB), ‘several’ at Ferry Meadows CP 19 Jan (MB) with four there on 1 Mar (CHa). The first autumn bird was heard over Ferry Meadows CP 7 Sep (MJW), with two at Monk's Wood NNR and a single over the Nene Washes the following day. Further migrants were recorded over the Nene Washes 20-21 Sep and 2 Oct (5). Ferry Meadows CP again attracted a wintering flock, with 15 birds there 23 Sep (MJW) and a maximum count of 50 on 29 Nov (MW) with up to 40 still present at the year end (GRH). Woodwalton Fen NNR also had a resident flock with six present 22 Sep and 40 on 30 Dec (SPD, MW). Elsewhere, small numbers were recorded from Monk's Wood NNR (six), Deeping Lakes NR (nine), Netherton (four), Southey Wood (one), Uffington (two), Baston Fen NR (one) and Peterborough Cathedral (15).
2000	Uncommon winter visitor. Mostly recorded in single-figures in both winter periods at the following locations: Eldernell, Elton, Lord's Holt, Baston Fen NR, Newborough and Woodwalton Fen NNR. Larger flocks were reported at Market Deeping, with ten there on 9 Jan, and 33 at Bainton GP on 27 Jan, with 15 there on 13 Feb. There were 25 roosting in Peterborough city centre on 22 Feb (GRH).
1999	Uncommon winter visitor. Small groups of up to six birds were reported between October and March at Helpston, Jones's Covert, Newborough, Ferry Meadows CP, Bainton, Morborne Hill and Holme Fen NNR.
1998	Common winter visitor. The only sizeable flocks reported were 30 in Southey Wood on 2 Mar (GRH), c20 in Caldecote Wood on 17 Jan (ARF), 20-25 at Netherton on 20 Dec (GRH) and a mixed flock of c60 Lesser Redpolls and Siskins at Ferry Meadows CP from 20 Nov. Birds came to garden feeders in Helpston, Yaxley, Folksworth and Longthorpe, all in the early part of the year. Other records came from Bainton GP, Orton BP, Maxey GP, Southey Wood and Baston Fen NR. The last spring bird was at Orton Longueville on 8 May (CBR). Nene Washes: Up to 105 were in the Eldernell area throughout January. Two spring records were of birds heading north on 22nd and 25 Apr. Two were at Eldernell in November and there were 50 in December.
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