Peterborough Bird Club annual report Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant. The first record was of two at Crowtree, Farcet Fen on 7 Apr (SPD). Notable counts included 60 at Blackbush on 15 May (SPD), 30+ at Grummit’s Scrape on 20 Jul (RB, WB), 110+ at Prior’s Fen GP on 28 Aug (SPD) and 200+ on the Nene Washes on 31 August (RSPB). The last record was of one at Farcet Fen on 10 Oct (SPD) A detailed study of the breeding populations of Yellow Wagtails on the Nene Washes was undertaken. A total of 63 pairs were recorded, distributed as follows: High Wash two, RSPB Low Wash 14, Eldernell arable eight (five in potatoes, three on set-aside), Eldernell grassland six, March Farmers 31 (11 in potatoes, 20 set-aside/grassland) and Ring's End two. Out of 34 nests found, each produced an average of three chicks, resulting in 101 juveniles ringed. Evidence of breeding also received from Baston & Langtoft GP and Farcet Fen.
2002	Common migrant breeder and passage migrant. The first record of this gaudy summer visitor came from RSPB Nene Washes reserve on 2 Apr (RSPB). The peak count was of 110 on the Nene Washes on 15 Sep (RSPB). Double-figure tallies came from White Fen (Benwick) with 20 on 31 May (RES), Prior’s Fen GP (see below); 10 were at Deeping Lakes NR on 17 Aug (TW) and 10 at Ferry Meadows CP on 20 Sep (SPD, KAF, BHS). A total of 29 breeding pairs on the Nene Washes were split as follows: 15 on Low Wash, 11 at March Farmers and three at Ring’s End (RSPB). The latest autumn record was of one at Prior’s Fen GP on 6 Oct (SPD). Counts of Yellow Wagtails at RSPB Nene Washes during September September 4th 5th 10th 14th 16th 18th 13 18 12 11 2 2
2001	Common resident breeder (mainly on the Nene Washes), passage and winter migrant. Common migrant breeder and passage migrant First seen were up to six on Heron Meadows at Ferry Meadows CP 6 Apr (SPD, CHa, CSh) and on the Nene Washes on the same date (RSPB). Noted at 13 sites during spring, with the highest count 11 at Baston & Langtoft GP 21 Apr (JH). A total of 33 pairs bred on the Nene Washes: High Wash 2, RSPB 17, Eldernell Wash 2, March Farmers 8, Ring's End 4 (RSPB). A survey of surrounding arable on 28 Jun found 22 pairs, mostly using winter wheat (RSPB). Other reports during the breeding season of three pairs plus a single at Newborough 30 May (DB), 20 at Ramsey Fen and 5 at White Fen (Benwick) 20 Jun (RES), eight at Prior’s Fen GP 22 Jun (GW) and two at Marholm 25 Jun (PJP). Two at Ferry Meadows CP 28 Jul (MJW) were probably the first autumn passage birds. Ten sites reported birds during Aug-Oct: Elton, Ferry Meadows CP, Haddon, Morborne Hill, Nene Washes, Orton Brimbles, Prior’s Fen GP, Ramsey, Rutland Heights (Stamford) and Deeping Lakes NR. The last bird was seen at the Nene Washes on 13 Oct (RSPB). Counts of Yellow Wagtails at Prior's Fen GP during autumn August September 1st 15th 22nd 23rd 24th 26th 27th 28th 31st 3rd 4th 12th 13th 14th 19th 20th 28th 15 50 1 11 1 14 4 12 19 1 19 2 5 3 65+ 10 1 Counts of Yellow Wagtails at RSPB Nene Washes during autumn September October 2nd 16th 23rd 30th 7th 120 111 60 24 11
2000	Widespread summer visitor and common migrant. The first and last dates were singles on 27 Mar (Nene Washes) and 4 Oct (Morborne Hill). A light spring passage was noted through several sites from 7 Apr, but away from the Nene Washes, there was a maximum of only six at Ferry Meadows CP on 21 Apr. Though present in summer at several fenland sites, the only breeding received were from the washes, where 21 territories were noted. As usual, records in autumn were more numerous and widespread, including up to 90 on the Washes on 20 Aug and 45 there on 6 Sep, 50 in two flocks at Deeping High Bank on 16 Aug and a late movement of 22 through Stilton on 26 Sep.
1999	Widespread summer visitor and common migrant. The first bird of the year was recoreded at the Nene Washes on 29 Mar and the species was subsequently seen at most suitable sites. A record 16 pairs bred on the Nene Washes reserve, with a total of 34 pairs on the length of the washes. A post-breeding peak of 82 was on the washes, with the last bird of the year at Eldernell on 6 Oct (GRH).
1998	Common migrant, scarce summer visitor. The first two birds were at Ferry Meadows CP on 8 Apr (RAH) and bird were seen there regularly until 30 Apr, peaking at eight on 27 Apr. Returning birds were noted from 14 Aug-8 Oct, with a maximum of nine on 8 Sep. One was at Baston Fen NR on 2 May and one was at Deeping High Bank, with two there on 2 Aug. Nene Washes: Six on 2 Apr were the first, followed by one or two daily, with 22 on 15 Apr. Up to 35 were along the washes throughout May. Numbers of breeding pairs were High Wash 3, reserve 8, Eldernell 2, totalling only 13, compared to last year's 25, though the floods forced several pairs onto north side arable. Up to 40 were present from 15 Aug-6 Sep, and the last single bird was seen on 30 Sep.
	Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava flava | A | Quite rare 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Rare passage migrant. Two males were at Prior’s Fen GP on 25 Apr (KD). Singles were also reported from Ferry Meadows CP on 6 May (MJW), 8 May (DG) and 13 May (DG).
2002	Rare passage migrant. A male was on the RSPB Low Wash in late May (RSPB).
2001	Rare migrant. Singles at Ferry Meadows CP 23 Apr (MJW) and Nene Washes 1 May (RSPB).
2000	Rare migrant. Just two records, of males defending territories on the Nene Washes.
1999	No records.
1998	Rare migrant. One was seen at Willow Hall Lane on 28 May (DS).
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