Peterborough Bird Club annual report Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus | A | Locally common winter migrant 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common but localised winter migrant. Most records came from the Nene Washes and surrounding fenland areas; birds often feed around Whitemoor Farm and roost at March Farmers. During the first winter period, there was a peak of 1,068 on the Washes on 6 Jan (RSPB) with 941 still present on 16 Feb (RSPB). The first returning birds to the Washes were on 23 Oct (RSPB). Numbers were lower on the Washes towards the end of the year, with a peak of 535 there on 16 Dec (RSPB) One at Eldernell on 25 Feb had a blue neck collar (BHS). Elsewhere, 2-6 birds recorded at Bourne South Fen, Deeping Fen Farm, Ferry Meadows CP, Orton BP, South Fen Road and Deeping Lakes NR. Six at the latter site on 23 Oct were some of the first returning birds of the winter (WB, TW). Up to 30 birds were recorded at Prior’s Fen GP on 6 Jan (MW) and 11 there on 7 Mar (BHS) were the last birds in the first winter period. Some 130 were at Goosetree Farm on 28 Dec (SG).
2002	Common but localised winter migrant. During the first winter period on the Nene Washes, there was a peak of 347 birds during February (RSPB). The last record of this period was of two birds there on 5 Apr (AW). The first returning birds were seven on the Washes on 13 Oct with 39 there by 15 Oct (RSPB). Numbers increased during November with c500 present on 15 Nov, 663 on 10 Dec and 847 feeding on surrounding arable on 24 Dec (RSPB). A bird with a blue neck collar was present at Eldernell on 16 Jan (GRH). Elsewhere, up to 40 birds were present at Prior’s Fen GP during January (BHS) with up 19 there during October and December. One flew over Longthorpe on 8 Mar (GRH) and two were at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Dec (DG).
2001	Common but localised winter migrant. On the Nene Washes, extensive flooding attracted up to 1,100 during Jan–Feb, with birds often found feeding on sugar beet tops and winter wheat south of the March Farmers area. 836 in Feb included just under 10% immatures. Last report: five at Benwick on 25 Feb (RES). The first returning birds were 11 on 21 Oct, increasing to 68 by 28th. With no early winter flooding, numbers rose to only 252 by mid-Dec (RSPB). The only report away from the Nene Washes was nine at Ramsey Fen 18 Feb (RES).
2000	Common winter visitor. Typically scarce away from the Nene Washes, with 12 over Ferry Meadows CP 5 Jan, 30 Conington Fen 8 Jan and 188 White Fen 16 Dec. On the washes, however, there were 743 to 1,043 present from 4-10 Jan, declining steadily to 50 by 22 Feb. A late single was noted on 23 Apr and (presumably the same bird) on 12-13 May. The first returning birds were 22 on 27 Oct and ten 4-5 Nov, before an influx of 450 on 13 Nov. Deep flooding then displaced most birds, but up to 423 were on arable land south of the washes in December.
1999	Common winter visitor. Counts at the Nene Washes peaked at only 1,000 on 24 Jan, of which 18% were juveniles. All but one had departed by 13 Mar. On 1 Oct, an early returning flock of 106 (GRH), but typically less than 60 noted to the year's end, though 295 present 28 Nov and 200 in late December.
1998	Common winter visitor. Thirty flew north over Orton Wistow on 1 Jan (RAH), with 100 Ferry Meadows CP the same day (CBR). Nene Washes: The early January flood rapidly drew in 2,192 (10 Jan) with numbers growing to a record 2,585 (18 Jan), roosting mainly at Eldernell and Ring's End and feeding either on arable towards White Moor, the North Side/Thorney Dyke or on flooded grassland at Eldernell. Numbers fell slowly away to 687 (15 Feb), then only 27 (25 Feb) and the last ones were nine on 1 Mar. Juveniles made up 5% of the flock. It was a poor autumn, with first eight (20 Oct) and then four in early November, 26 (11 Nov) and then 63 (31 Dec).
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