Peterborough Bird Club annual report Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common passage migrant, former breeder. The first returning bird was a male on 16 Mar at Farcet Fen (SPD). A peak count of 13 was recorded at Black Bush Drove on 14 May (SPD) and the last of the spring was a female at the Nene Washes on 27 May (MW). An early autumn record of a juvenile in downy plumage at Prior’s Fen GP on 22 Jul (BHS) preceded the main autumn passage starting with one on 16 Aug at Tongue End (AD). The last record came from the Dog-in-a-Doublet on 2 Oct (BHS). Other records came from Baston Fen NR, Ferry Meadows CP, Fletton BP, Grummit’s Scrape, Hampton, Langtoft, Morborne Hill, Prior’s Fen GP and Stilton.
2002	Common passage migrant, former breeder. Birds arrived in fits and starts in spring. A male appeared on the Nene Washes RSPB reserve 22 Mar (BHS, RSPB). The Nene Washes area remains the best place to encounter this species in the Peterborough area. Between 19 Apr-1 May, 1-3 were present on the reserve, and there was an influx on 2 May with a minimum of 18 present, mostly at March Farmers (RSPB). Autumn passage commenced with one on 17 Jul and another on 12 Aug at the Nene Washes (CK). The peak count in the autumn was of five birds at Hampton West Lake on 10 Sep, including one probable leucorhoa (Greenland-breeding race) type (BHS). The last records were of up to two at Eldernell in October, with the last bird present until 28th (RSPB). Image © Steve Dudley. Click for bigger version
2001	Common passage migrant, former breeder. The first were two at Orton BP 25 Mar (NC) but no more reported until 27 Apr when one was at the Nene Washes, which held two on 1 May and singles on 8th and 15th (RSPB). At Swaddywell Pit, two males and a female on 5th (TW), a male at Deeping Gate on 10th (TW), a male at Eldernell on 12th (TW) and one at Prior’s Fen GP on 17th (GW). Singles at the Nene Washes 2 and 8 Jun (RSPB) were probably late spring migrants. The first of the autumn was a male was at Sacrewell Mill 5 Aug (CD) followed by a juvenile at Prior’s Fen GP 11th (GW), one at Ferry Meadows CP on 27th (MB), two at Prior’s Fen GP on 31st (SPD) and one at Deeping Lakes NR 16 Sep (TW). The Nene Washes held two on 7 Aug, singles on 10th-14th, three to five from 17th-24th then regular singles from 30 Aug-4 Oct. There was an influx of six on 9 Oct, decreasing to two on 10th-12th and a single on 16th (RSPB). A single at Morborne Hill 30 Oct (BHS) was the latest in the area and matches the latest for Hunts in 1990.
2000	Widespread migrant, has bred. A good spring showing, with birds reported from Hampton Lakes, Yaxley Fen, Nene Washes, Baston & Langtoft GP, Deeping High Bank, Ferry Meadows CP and Conington airfield. Four together at Orton BP on 22 Apr and six at March Farmers on the same day were the highest counts. The earliest record was of a single male on 15 Mar at the Nene Washes, with another on 19 Mar at Hampton Lakes. Three arrived at Ramsey Fen on 21 Mar (CBR). The first records of autumn birds came on 10 Aug, wth three at Prior's Fen GP and another at Eldernell, with the last record being a single bird on the Nene Washes on 14 Oct, where there were four together on 9 Sep. Also reported in autumn from Yaxley Fen, Willow Drove, Etton, King's Dyke NR, Ferry Meadows CP, Morborne Hill, Helpston and Dog-in-a-Doublet, with three there on 3 Oct.
1999	Widespread migrant, has bred. The earliest bird was at Crowtree, Farcet Fen, on 27 Mar (AL) and birds were recorded there until 16 May. A strong and protracted spring passage, where birds were recorded from 14 sites. Many records of birds around Orton BP and Hampton Lakes, with a peak of nine birds on 23 Apr (GW). The good spring passage was not reflected in the autumn, with the only records coming from Hampton on 27 Aug, Baston Fen and Deeping High Bank on 25 Sep and 1-3 daily on the Nene Washes between 8 Sep to 10 Oct.
1998	Common migrant. The first three birds were at Willow Hall Lane on 14 Mar (DS) and the last spring bird was at Morborne Hill on 10 May (ARF), which also saw the peak count with six there on 24 Apr (ARF). Other spring birds were at Sawtry Fen, Yaxley Pit, Ferry Meadows CP, Baston & Langtoft GP, North Bank, Thurlby Fen and Dog-in-a-Doublet. The first returning bird was at Baston & Langtoft GP on 16 Aug, with the last one there on 10 Oct (TW). Others were at Ferry Meadows CP and Morborne Hill. Nene Washes: One or two were seen daily between 2-30 Apr. Two were at Eldernell on 9 May and on the north side on 14 May. Autumn passage saw one or two daily from 12 Aug, up to three daily in September, six on 1 Oct, reducing to three on 5 Oct, then singles daily to 23 Oct, with three on 12 Oct.
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