Peterborough Bird Club annual report Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant. Another good year for sightings of this species began with two at Deeping Lakes NR on 13 Apr (JW, TW). Singles were at Ferry Meadows CP on 14-15 Apr (BHS, MW) with three there on 19 Apr (MW), decreasing to one on 20 Apr (GRH). A single was at Orton BP on 17 Apr (SPD). Between 2-5 birds were at Deeping Lakes NR between 27 Apr-4 May (RB, WB, JJ, et al).
2002	Scarce passage migrant. A fantastic spring passage brought on by persistent north-easterly winds occurred almost exclusively at Ferry Meadows CP, with the first here on 18 Apr (DG, RC). Four were noted on 23 Apr with two on 29 Apr, a single on 30 Apr, two on 1 May and an unprecedented count of 60+ on the evening of 4 May (MJW). Twenty of these circled to gain height, forming a tight flock before flying off in a north-easterly direction. The other 40 remained at Gunwade Lake. Twelve were seen on 5 May (DG, MJW), with 22 on 6 May (GRH). Thereafter, a single was noted on 10 May with the last record here of five birds on 11 May. The only other site to record birds was the Nene Washes, with six seen flying east on 17 May (JT). There were no return passage sightings.
2001	Scarce passage migrant. A single bird was at Ferry Meadows CP 26 Apr (DB) with three there 5 May (MW). On the Nene Washes, two at March Farmers and Eldernell 13 May (MC, BHS) with singles on the Nene Washes RSPB reserve on 23rd and 24th (RSPB).
2000	Scarce migrant. Long-suspected of being overlooked in spring, a nice series of records this year, with two at Ferry Meadows CP 18 Apr, 29 Apr and 3 May, 11 at Baston & Langtoft GP and seven at Langtoft West End GP on 7 May, six at the Nene Washes 8 May and six at Baston & Langtoft GP 11 May (TW, JT et al).
1999	Rare migrant. Four birds were recorded at Baston & Langtoft GP 21 Apr (GRH), two at Ferry Meadows CP 29-29 Apr (RH) and Orton BP (DP).
1998	Rare migrant. Two were at Ferry Meadows CP on 21 Apr (RAH), with one there on 1 May. One was at Crowland Crossroads on 1 May (TW). The only southbound birds noted were singles at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Jul and 1 Oct (CBR), and two juveniles at Ferry Meadows CP on 10 Sep (GRH). Nene Washes: 23 were on the Nene Washes on 2 May (TW). Robin Jolliffe reported 40 flying north in small groups on 3 May. There were two fishing over reserve floods on 8 May and 13 on 19 May.
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