Peterborough Bird Club annual report Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca | A | Fairly common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce migrant breeder and scarce passage migrant. The first bird of the year was at Ferry Meadows CP on 22 Apr (DG, TS). Widespread but sparsely distributed with records from 19 locations. An Italian-ringed bird was controlled at Bainton GP on 7 Jun (CHu). Image (right) © Katie Fuller. Click for bigger version An eastern race bird (either halimodendri or blythi), pictured above left, was at Ferry Meadows CP on 24-25 Nov (CP, BHS, SPD). Otherwise, the last was at Orton BP on 24 Sep (BHS). Image © Brian Stone. Click for more images
2002	Scarce migrant breeder and scarce passage migrant. The first record of this species in 2002 was a day earlier than in 2001, with one singing at Belham Wood (Bretton) on 22 Apr (KAF) with the main arrival from 25 Apr. The largest counts were of four birds at Ferry Meadows CP, Helpston and Orton BP. Other birds were seen or heard from a further 23 locations. The last record was from Morborne Hill on 28 Sep (SPD). No breeding records were received.
2001	Scarce migrant breeder and passage migrant. Perhaps owing to its general scarcity, this species is more readily reported than many more common species. The earliest record was from Bainton GP 23 Apr (BT) This latter site held at least five birds 28 May (MJW) and four were singing at Orton BP 3 May (GW) but the largest count was from the Nene Valley Railway where at least seven were recorded 30 Apr (SPD). Other birds were heard or seen at Orton Mere (SPD), Benwick (RES), Elton (BHS), Longthorpe (MW), Bretton (MW), Tallington GP (DW), Marholm (DW), Morborne Hill (BHS), Haddon Crossing (GW), Deeping Lakes NR (TW), Orton Brimbles (MJW), Wansford (PJP) and Newborough (DB). Last recorded from Ferry Meadows CP 25 Sep (MJW).
2000	Uncommon summer visitor, sparsely distributed. Birds were recorded at Orton Mere, Morborne Hill, Caldecote, Orton BP and Fletton BP, King's Dyke, Drysides BP, Eldernell, Elton, Castor Hanglands NNR, Baston & Langtoft GP and Helpston. All records relate to single sightings with the exception of two at Ferry Meadows CP on 24 Apr and two at Baston & Langtoft GP on 1 May. Breeding occurred at Eldernell. The earliest record was on 22 Apr, with birds noted at three separate locations. The species was last seen at King's Dyke on 17 Sep and the Nene Washes on 11 Oct.
1999	Uncommon summer visitor, sparsely distributed. Earliest record was of a singing male on 1 Apr at the unusual location of Cathedral Gardens, Peterborough (DP). Latest record came from Morborne on 22 Sep.
1998	Scarce summer visitor. The first record came from Thorpe Wood golf club on 26 Apr (RAH). Single birds were noted at Haddon, Bassenhally Farm, Castor Hanglands NNR, Milton Park and Morborne Hill. At least three were at Bainton GP on 8 Aug (BT). Three juveniles moved through a Longthorpe garden (GRH) and four birds were at Morborne Hill on 7 Sep (BHS). Nene Washes: First noted on 27 Apr. There was one territory at Eldernell Pits, as last year.
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