Peterborough Bird Club annual report Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus | A | Scarce 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce passage migrant. Relatively few records of this migrant wader were received during 2003. The first record was at the Nene Washes on 15 April with 4 birds there on 24 Apr and 26 Apr. The largest count was of six together at Tallington GP on 25 Apr (SL). One flew over Woodwalton Fen NNR in the dark on 1 Jun (SPD, KAF, MW), three at Prior’s Fen GP on 16 Apr (SPD), singles at Deeping Lakes NR on 16th and 25 Apr (RB, WB), two at Wistow on 28 Jul (DMcN) and one at RSPB Nene Washes on 30 Jul (JT). The last record was a single bird over Longthorpe on 13 Aug (GRH).
2002	Scarce passage migrant. Many records of this species are birds flying overhead on migration, their characteristic 'seven-whistle' call alerting observers to their presence. In spring, first record was of an early bird flying over Orton Longueville on 26 Mar (SPD). There were no further records until spring migration began in earnest on 19 Apr. On this day, three were at Nene Washes (RSPB), followed by a single on 22 Apr (RSPB). During the spring and summer period, up to three birds recorded from Conington village, Ferry Meadows CP, King’s Dyke NR and Nene Washes. The sole record of the autumn period was of one heard calling over Orton Brimbles at 5.25am on 30 Aug (MJW).
2001	Scarce passage migrant. In the spring, first recorded from the Nene Washes on 25 Apr (RSPB), 11 there on 9 May (RSPB), with two on the High Wash 11th and 13th (MF, FH) and 10 on 12th (RSPB). By far the best count came from Prior’s Fen GP, where a flock of 32 was found roosting in a harrowed field 10 May (GW). Return passage was noted in Aug with one over Crowland 5th (SPD), followed by 11 at Prior’s Fen GP 9th (GW), a single calling over Stamford 23rd (CP) with the last record of three flying west over Orton Longueville 30th (SPD).
2000	Scarce migrant. In spring, the Nene Washes had one 18 Apr, three 21 Apr, one 22 Apr, four 27 Apr, three 1 May, two on 6 May and five on 13 May. Elsewhere, three were at Ben Johnson Pit 23 Apr, three at Prior’s Fen GP 27-28 Apr, one at Deeping High Bank 1 May, one flying north at Hampton 7 May, at least one calling over Woodwalton Fen NNR 12 May, a single at Orton BP 13 May and singles at Baston & Langtoft GP 14 May and 21 May. In the autumn, singles were at the Nene Washes 24 Jul, 12th and 22 Aug. Three south calling over Orton BP on 14 Aug and one over Orton Longueville on 24 Aug.
1999	Scarce migrant. At the Nene Washes, 1-6 were present on the RSPB reserve and High Wash on 25 Apr and 13 May. Elsewhere, four birds were in the Hampton Lakes area 27 Apr (GW), with one there on 26 May (GW). The only autumn record was a fly-over at Orton BP 28 Aug (DP).
1998	Scarce migrant. One flew over Helpston on 25 Jul (CBR). Nene Washes: Two were seen on 17 Apr and one on 22nd. Sightings on seven dates through May were probably of the same bird. Singles were seen on 9 Jul and 14 Aug.
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