Peterborough Bird Club annual report Stonechat Saxicola torquata | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce winter and passage migrant. Recorded between January to early April and October to December, with most records from the Nene valley, Farcet Fen, Hampton and the Lincolnshire pits. A peak count of 21 was from the Nene Washes on 6 January (RSPB). Last seen on 19 Mar at Eldernell (NC) and the first returning bird was another early Nene Washes record on 4 Sep (JT). Image © Phil Ackerman. Click for a larger version
2002	Scarce winter and passage migrant. Following on from 2001’s unprecedented influx, at least 25 were dotted about the Nene Washes RSPB reserve in the first two months of the year (RSPB) with three females still present at Eldernell on 10 Mar; a male was seen at Eldernell on 26 May (DSu). Elsewhere in the first winter period, multiple counts of up to four birds received from Castor, Fletton BP, Lotting Fen and Deeping Lakes NR. One on 1 Sep on the Nene Washes was very early (RSPB) and in early November, the site held a total of 40 birds by the 5 Nov; the winter’s flooding brought numbers down to 12 by 19 Nov (RSPB). Elsewhere, counts of 2-3 birds received from Baston Fen NR, Farcet Fen, Northorpe Slipe and Newborough and singles from a further five sites.
2001	Scarce winter and passage migrant. Up to 5 on the Nene Washes Jan-Feb with five on 15 Jan and 4 on 12 Feb (RSPB). Single birds reported from Stanground 28 Jan (CSh), Dog-in-a-Doublet 11 Feb (TW) and Eldernell 19 Jan (MB) and 3 Feb (WB) might be part of the same Nene Washes total. One at Baston Fen NR 1 Jan (AD) with a pair there on 14th (JR) and singles at Newborough on 6th and 16th (DB). Last reported from Eldernell with a female on 23 Feb (MJW). Reported again from 17 Sep when two were on the Nene Washes. An influx began on 7 Oct when five present with gradual build up to 11 on 25th with a sharp increase to 36 by 4 Nov and a peak of 47 on 16 Dec. These numbers were unprecedented and quadruple the previous county site record. Birds were present all along the washes, making use of ungrazed areas, set-aside and well-grazed areas, with a particular liking for the interface between tall ungrazed field margins and grazed areas (RSPB). Reported from a further 11 sites: a pair at Baston Fen NR from 16 Dec to the end of the year (WB, AD, KK, TW); a pair at Baston & Langtoft GP 2 Dec (TW); one at Bourne Eau 30 Dec (WB); a female at Castor Hanglands NNR 15 Dec (CS); a female at Castor Mill 14 Oct and a male there 18 Nov (CHa); a female or immature at Deeping High Bank 4 Nov (TW) and two there 30 Dec (AD); singles at Ferry Meadows CP 4 Oct (NO) and 14th (TD) and a female and a juvenile 16th (TD, DG, CHa); a male on Torpel Way, Marholm, 23 Sep (MJW); a male at Prior’s Fen GP 24 Oct (TW); a male at Thurlby Slipe 27 Oct (WB); and two or three at Deeping Lakes NR 10 Nov (TW) with a male and a female there 8 Dec (WB).
2000	Scarce winter visitor. An excellent year for this generally scarce species, with birds in the first winter period being reported at Baston Fen NR, Crown Lakes CP, Deeping High Bank, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Stanground Lock and Ferry Meadows CP, with three birds reported at Stanground Wash on 16 Jan and Eldernell on 26 Jan. Five were at Eldernell and one on the High Wash on 6 Mar was part of a national movement of this species. Birds in the second winter/autumn period were reported from Stanground Wash, Yaxley Fen, Baston Fen NR, Castor Hanglands NNR, Eldernell and March Farmers. Six on 16 Oct at the Nene Washes was the highest count, with monthly peaks of 11 in October, four in November and three in December. A bird at Morborne Hill on 3 Oct was an obvious migrant.
1999	Scarce winter visitor. Pairs and singles were recorded during the winter months from Eldernell, Maxey, Baston & Langtoft GP, Tansor GP, Dog-in-a-Doublet, Woodwalton Fen NNR, Stanground Wash and Baston Fen NR. Three pairs were present on the Nene Washes in November and December.
1998	Scarce winter visitor. A pair was noted on Stanground Wash on 15 Jan (GW), with two females there on 16 Feb and one on 20 Feb. A pair was at Baston Fen NR on 7 Feb (AFB), with singles there on 21 Feb, 8 Nov, 14 Nov and 5-6 Dec. One was at Helpston on 18 Apr (CBR) A female was at Baston & Langtoft GP from 18 Oct to 1 Nov (TW). There were two at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 11 Nov (CBR). A bird was at Eldernell on 16 Nov (MJW) with a pair there on 20 Nov (DP).
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