Peterborough Bird Club annual report Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea | A | Fairly common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce resident breeder, winter migrant and passage migrant. Most records were of 1-2 birds. Between 3-7 were present at North Bank SF between Jan-Mar (BHS). Four birds were present at Etton GP (KAF) and Maxey GP (JJ). Five were also at Thorney SF on 16 Sep (TS). Breeding confirmed at Elton Lock with young fledged by 24 Jun (BHS). Singing and display noted from three birds at Padholme PS on 12 Mar (BHS). Juveniles were recorded at Elton, Ferry Meadows CP and Dog-in-a-Doublet.
2002	Scarce resident breeder, winter migrant and passage migrant. Present in every month of the year and at 38 different sites, this delightful species is usually associated with watercourses but can also turn up in urban areas away from water. Maximum counts of four were made at Etton, Maxey, North Bank and North Bretton. Birds were also recorded frequently at Ferry Meadows CP (max. two), Orton Brimbles (singles) and Padholme PS (three). Breeding was suspected at Dog-in-a-Doublet (RSPB), Elton (displaying and food carrying noted (BHS)), Woodnewton (two adults with a juvenile on 28 Jul (AJM)) and along the Maxey Cut. Singing was also noted at Warmington and in the city centre near Asda.
2001	Scarce resident breeder, winter migrant and passage migrant. Reported from 24 sites throughout the year. Maximum counts of four over Peterborough City Centre 9 Oct (CH) and four in the Stanground area Jan-Feb (RSPB). Up to three at Bainton GP (AD) and Baston Fen NR (JR) and two at Ferry Meadows CP (CP), Orton Brimbles (MJW) and Orton Mere (SPD, CHa, CP). On 18 Jul a pair was seen feeding four almost fully-grown young at Peterborough Town Bridge (PSt). A pair bred at Woodnewton and birds probably bred at Bainton GP, Castor Mill, Elton Lock and Orton Staunch. A juvenile was at Ferry Meadows CP 13 Jul (TD) and again on 8 Aug (CP). A single was at Prior's Fen GP 13 Jul (GW). One west over the Nene Washes 28 Sep (RSPB), another over Monk's Wood NNR on the same date (MT), two south over Dogsthorpe 6 Oct (DW) and one over Fletton BP 11 Oct (SPD) were probably migrants.
2000	Uncommon resident and widespread winter visitor. Despite persistently hugh water levls at many potential riverside sites, this species continues to spread throughout local river valleys, both as a winter visitor and breeder. Noted at 22 sites, usually in the form of one or two birds. Smaller streams, mill-ponds and weirs are favoured breeding sites; confirmed or suspected breeding occurred at Elton Mill, Billing Brook, Water Newton Mill, Orton Mere, Cotterstock Mill, Maxey Cut, Werrington and Peterborough sewage works. In recent years, regularly noted, post-breeding, in Peterborough city centre.
1999	Uncommon resident and widespread winter visitor. Recorded in singles or pairs at many sites around Peterborough outside the breeding season. Birds were seen during the breeding season at Town Bridge, Elton Lock, Woodnewton, Cotterstock Mill and Orton BP. A pair raised three young at Woodnewton (seen on 15 May (AF)) and a pair with a juvenile was seen at Bainton GP on 14 Aug (BT).
1998	Scarce winter visitor; rare summer visitor. Sightings were widespread and increasing. Birds were reported from Market Deeping, Thurlby Slipe, North Bank, Ferry Meadows CP, Lolham Bridges, Milton Park, Law Lock, Deeping St James, Baston & Langtoft GP, Mill House, West Deeping, Cotterstock Mill, Thorpe Wood golf club, Orton BP, Fletton BP, Tallington, Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Stanground, Stamford Mill, Holme SW and Woodston. Nene Washes: One at the Dog-in-a-Doublet (from 29 Apr to early May) was not seen subsequently and not thought to have bred. Two were present 2-4 Oct.
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