PBC: Snipe

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Snipe Gallinago gallinago | A | Locally fairly common

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Breeding birds rarely recorded away from the Nene Washes.
Very low counts were received from the Nene Washes during both winter periods with 95 on 21 Mar (RSPB). Other notable counts included 95 on Heron Meadows (Ferry Meadows CP) on 26 Mar (MJW). During the second half of the year, peak numbers were recorded during August and notable counts included 74 at Nene Washes High Wash on 26 Aug (SPD) and 42 at Prior’s Fen GP on 14 Aug (BHS).
Following last year's peak numbers, there was a slight reduction in the number of breeding pairs on the Nene Washes, with 146 drumming birds recorded. Away from the Nene Washes, a displaying bird was among 15 at Baston Fen NR on 18 Apr with three 'chipping' birds there on 9 May but no evidence of breeding was found (JR).

Summary of breeding Snipe on Nene Washes

	2002	2003
High Wash	15	24
RSPB Low Wash	96	95
Eldernell Wash	31	13
March Farmers	13	7
Ring's End	14	7
Total:	169	146

2002

Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Breeding birds rarely recorded away from the Nene Washes.
Reported from 34 locations. First winter notable counts included 33-37 birds present at Fletton BP between 3-15 Feb (SPD, BHS, KAF, MW, MAW) and 32 at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 10 Feb (SH). At Ferry Meadows CP, a big influx occurred from 16 Mar with 100+ birds present on 17 Mar (MJW).
In the second winter period, notable counts on the Nene Washes included 135 on 19 Nov (RSPB). Most other large counts came from Ferry Meadows CP with 35-60 birds recorded between 17-22 Sep (MO).
During the breeding season, 169 displaying birds were recorded on the Nene Washes. These represent the highest numbers since 1989 (172 drummers). On the Eldernell Wash, this was the highest total since 1984 (64). At March Farmers, eight of the drummers were on long-term set-aside land. Small numbers of birds present over the summer period there, but there was no other evidence of breeding.

Image © Steve Dudley. Click for a larger version.

2001

Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Breeding birds rarely recorded away from the Nene Washes.
During the first winter period, four on the Nene Washes 15 Jan, 20 on 27 Feb and 25 on 1 Mar. Recorded from Benwick, Elton, Baston Fen NR (four), Warmington (five), Ramsey Fen (two), Marholm (two), Welland Bank GP (three) and Deeping Fen (two). Up to seven at Hampton Lakes and nine at King’s Dyke NR 25 Mar with eight at Baston & Langtoft GP 31 Mar.
During Apr–May, singles at Prior’s Fen GP 22 Apr, Ferry Meadows CP 10 May and one drumming at Hampton Lakes 23rd 26 Apr. On the Nene Washes, there were 156 drumming birds (93 on the RSPB reserve) (RSPB).
Return passage was recorded at Prior’s Fen GP, with up to seven from 20 Jul–27 Sep, three to 27 Oct and up to six to 16 Nov. Up to five regularly recorded at Welland Bank GP with eight on 29 Sep and 15 on 4 Nov, and a max of 15 at Ferry Meadows CP 29 Sep. On the Nene Washes, 40 on 5th and 23 Sep and 60 on 15 Oct and 15 Nov.
Elsewhere, birds recorded from Baston & Langtoft GP, Stilton golf course, Orton Brimbles, Fletton BP (three), Baston Fen NR, Castor, Borough Fen, Elton and Orton BP (two). In December, 25 on the Nene Washes 16th, 20+ at Ferry Meadows CP 15th, 18 at Baston Fen NR 23th, and six at Welland Bank GP 8th. Up to two also at Baston & Langtoft GP, Fletton BP, Orton BP, Prior’s Fen GP, Tanholt GP and Alwalton.

2000

Uncommon winter visitor and migrant. Common breeder on Nene Washes, but rare elsewhere.
During Jan-Feb, numbers were generally low, the only records coming from Stanground Wash with 35 on 16 Jan, 20 on 18 Feb, Eldernell nine 10 Jan, Nene Washes 80 (62 of which were at Stanground Wash) 13 Feb, a single at Baston & Langtoft GP 19 Feb and 45 at Ben Johnson Pit 27 Feb, with 31 there on 12 Mar, and three at Bainton GP 26 Mar.
Numbers then increased, with 63 at March Farmers and 23 at Stanground Wash 12 Mar. Up to 40 at Baston Fen NR 1 Apr and ten at Drysides BP 12 Mar. Sixty were seen in flight at the Nene Washes RSPB reserve 1 Apr, with 70 there 14 Apr, 40 at Baston Fen NR 1 Apr and six at King's Dyke NR 16 Apr. In May, one was at Baston Fen NR on 14th.
Breeding numbers at the Nene Washes reached an impressive 165 drumming birds, of which 27 were at the High Wash, 104 RSPB reserve, 23 Eldernell Wash, five March Farmers and six at Ring's End. Three displayed at Swaddywell Pit in spring.
In Jul-Sep, singles at three sites, 11 Prior’s Fen GP 30 Aug and at Baston & Langtoft GP 2 Sep, 22 Baston Fen NR 20 Sep and 50 Nene Washes 30 Sep.
In the second winter period, maximum counts came from Stanground Wash, with 71 on 18 Dec, 50 at Ferry Meadows CP 28 Dec, 30+ at Woodwalton Fen NNR 19 Nov, 29 near Helpston 27 Nov, and six each at Baston Fen NR 1 Oct and Morborne 1 Nov.

1999

Uncommon winter visitor and migrant. Common breeder on Nene Washes, but rare elsewhere.
In the first winter period, very low numbers were noted at the Nene Washes, until a spring influx on 21 Mar when 104 were counted. At Stanground Wash, 100 on 20 Feb with 22 remaining by 20 Mar. Twenty were at Ferry Meadows CP 17 Jan, with two on 7 Apr. Singles were at Elton 13 Feb and 17 Mar. Four were at Baston & Langtoft GP 28 Mar with one there 5 Apr.
On the Nene Washes, 83 drumming birds were noted on the RSPB reserve, a welcome increase. Elsewhere, display was noted at High Wash (22), Eldernell Wash (12), March Farmers (three) and Ring's End (eight). None bred at Baston Fen NR (the number of breeding pairs in Lincolnshire is now believed to be less than ten).
The return/second winter period saw up to 29 on the washes 29 Jun-29 Jul, with 70 on 15 Sep. Elsewhere, Ferry Meadows CP had a peak of six on 1 Sep, with Baston & Langtoft GP maxima of three 3 Aug and 13 Sep, and two throughout December. Six were at Maxey GP 14 Aug, three at Orton BP 22 Oct and six 19 Dec, and two were at Deeping High Bank 19 Dec.

1998

Common resident, winter visitor.
Peak counts were 50 at Ferry Meadows CP on 17 Jan (GW), and 16 at Baston Fen NR on 19 Sep (TW). Other records came from Stowgate, Maxey GP, Hampton, Baston & Langtoft GP and Ailsworth.
Nene Washes: Drumming birds included:
RSPB reserve: 66
Stanground: 2
High Wash: 21
Eldernell Wash: 7, totalling 96.
Last year's total was 65, so the flood had a positive effect for this species. The high count of 125 at Ring's End (3 Feb) was short-lived, with only single birds recorded until 40 arrived on 15 Mar. High numbers were present through October and November, peaking at 250 with lower numbers in December.