Peterborough Bird Club annual report Song Thrush Turdus philomelos | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Recorded in all months except August, with the first singing bird on 14 Mar at Crown Lakes CP and the first juvenile of the year reported at Elton on 17 Apr. A peak count of 40+ occurred on 12 Oct (a typical time of year) at Baston & Langtoft GP (JJ). A flock of 11 flew west at King’s Dyke NR on 4 Oct (GW). Image © Phil Ackerman. Click for a bigger version
2002	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Though this species underwent a much-publicised population decline of 66% on British farmland between 1972 and 1996, it was recorded from a wide variety of sites in the PBC area but is probably still under-reported. The best counts were of 20+ at King’s Dyke NR on 12 Oct (GW) and 20 at Ferry Meadows CP on 21 Oct (SPD), with a flock of 18 at Stone Bridge Corner on 19 Oct (GW) indicating an influx into the area - perhaps of continental migrants.
2001	Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter migrant. Reported in small numbers in most months from 17 sites but generally under recorded. Singing birds noted at Peterborough Cemetery (one) (BHS), Ferry Meadows CP (three) (SPD), Bainton GP (three) (BT), newly-fledged juveniles at Elton (BHS) and two pairs Park Road, Peterborough (WEW). Maximum counts of 12 in Jan-Feb around the marsh at the west end of Eldernell Pits (RSPB), nine at Beeby’s BP 12 Dec (SPD), eight at Prior’s Fen GP 24 Oct (SPD), 7+ at Orton Mere 2 Apr (SPD) and seven at Ferry Meadows CP 24 Sep (CHa). Counts of 10 at Ferry Meadows CP 20 Sep and 10 at nearby Orton Brimbles 21 Sep (MJW) are indicative of newly-arrived migrants. Described as a rare visitor to a garden in Langtoft (RS).
2000	Common resident. Believed to be widespread but sparsely distributed. An increase in records on previous years may suggest an upturn in the fortunes of this species. Records of birds at Newborough in January and Longthorpe in April were accompanied by comments that these were the first records in these localities for several months. Breeding occurred at Eldernell for the first time in six years. Some 25 birds flew west at Marholm 17 Oct (CBR) and four birds together at Maxey GP on 23 Jul was notable.
1999	Common resident. Believed to be widespread but sparsely distributed. A few records were received from Orton, Southey Wood, Ferry Meadows CP and Crowtree, Farcet Fen.
1998	Common resident. Few records received. Two pairs bred at Milton Park. A pair in Park Road, Peterborough, had its first brood predated by cats, but fledged four from a second brood (14 Jul) and two from a very late third brood (11 Aug). Nene Washes: Odd birds were seen at Eldernell Pits throughout the winter. A handful of records in October and November were of presumed immigrants.
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