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Peterborough
Bird Club annual report Wigeon Anas penelope | A | Common |
| 2003 |
Common winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. The Nene Washes is an internationally-important site for this species with a maximum count of 11,866 during the January WeBS count, distributed evenly along the Washes with numbers holding steady through to early March. However, dredging and profiling work within the reserve sections of the Wash, together with a lack of natural food and a very attractive Ouse Washes, resulted in a peak count for the second winter period of only 3,280 in the December WeBS counts (RSPB). The species was recorded at 23 other sites away from the Washes; notable counts included 340+ at Deeping Lakes NR on 19 Jan (BT), 242 at Bainton GP on 12 Oct (BT) and 510 at Prior's Fen GP on 25 Oct (SPD). Potential breeding birds included two pairs on the Nene Washes in May, whilst five males were noted 8 May RSPB (BS). Up to three males, most probably the non-paired Wash birds, were noted at Prior's Fen GP during May and June with two birds at Northey 11 Jul (BS). A single female was noted at Deeping Lakes NR through the summer (TW et al). |
| 2002 |
Common winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. The first winter period saw the Nene Washes report their lowest numbers since 1992/93, with a peak count of 5,053 on 10 Feb (RSPB), most birds remaining on the RSPB Low Wash. In the second winter period, numbers began to increase in September and October with up to 10,000 present at Eldernell Wash on 3 Dec (RSPB). Elsewhere, notable counts were of 328 at Baston & Langtoft GP on 21 Dec (AD) and 480 at Baston Fen NR on 14 Jan (JR). More than 2,000 were at Prior's Fen GP on 11 Dec (SPD). A flock of 35 flew south-east over Stanley Park, central Peterborough on 31 Oct (BHS). During the spring and summer, four drakes were present on the Nene Washes through May and one there on 30 Jun (RSPB). A pair was at Deeping Lakes NR on 4 May (RB, WB). However, there was no sign of breeding at either of these sites. |
| 2001 |
Common
winter migrant, rare migrant breeder. The Nene Washes is this species' principal haunt with nationally-important concentrations regularly reported. Following the previous autumn’s record counts, up to 10,808 were still present in Feb (RSPB). A lack of suitable feeding habitat in the autumn and early winter restricted numbers to a peak of just 4,564 by 16 Dec (RSPB). Overwintering and casual records were received from a further 11 sites, including counts of 100 at Bainton GP 14 Jan (MH) and 26 on 25 Dec, 105 Baston Fen NR 25 Jan and 170 on 21 Dec (JR), 38 Ferry Meadows CP 7 Feb and 14 on 17 Sep, 12 Prior’s Fen GP 8 Mar and 300+ on 10 Nov (SPD), 27 Deeping Lakes NR 26 Aug and 52 Fletton BP 4 Oct. Peak counts elsewhere were of under 25 birds. During the breeding season, four pairs on the Nene Washes "showed good signs of territoriality, though, as usual, no broods seen. In addition, 13 males and four females present at March Farmers to late May" (RSPB). Single birds occasionally noted during the summer at Baston & Langtoft GP, Bainton GP, Deeping Lakes NR and Ferry Meadows CP. |
| 2000 |
Common
winter visitor and rare breeder. Up to 15 males and 11 females were present on the Nene Washes in May, though, as usual, no young were seen. Winter peaks noted were 8,000 on 4 Jan (with 2,238 still present in early April), and a record count of 12,250 on 13 Nov, following the autumn's first arrivals of 18 on 17 Sep. Elsewhere, birds were reported at just nine sites, mostly in small numbers but more notable maxima of 206 at Baston Fen NR 6 Feb, 89 at Bainton GP 13 Feb, 85 at Hampton Lakes 5 Mar, 31 at Ferry Meadows CP 6 Nov and 30+ at Tansor GP on 23 Sep. |
| 1999 |
Common
winter visitor and rare breeder. Not surprisingly, the Nene Washes dominated the records with 7,792 on 3 Jan rising to 12,755 on 21 Jan and a record count of 13,533 on 21 Feb. Most had departed by early April, with three pairs still present in late June and breeding strongly suspected. The first autumn arrivals, 29 on 12 Sep, increased only gradually to 3,684 by 23 Dec. Elsewhere, peak counts of 296 Baston & Langtoft GP in Jan, 250 Baston Fen NR in December, 112 Bainton GP 21 Feb and 44 Hampton Lakes 16 Mar. |
| 1998 |
Common
winter visitor. There were 141 at Bainton GP on 6 Dec (BT), with 95 there on 10 Oct and 58 on 14 Mar. Thirty-two were at Maxey GP on 8 Feb (BT), with 20 there on 14 Mar. Seventeen circled Ferry Meadows CP on 24 Mar (RAH) with 12 there on 30 Dec, seven on 20 Jan, two on 5 Nov and one on 9 Sep. A pair was at Baston & Langtoft GP on 20 Jun, with one noted on several dates to 22 Aug. One was at Fletton BP on 15 Nov. Nene Washes: Numbers on the wash seemed to double overnight with the early January flood, and it was no surprise that the count of 12,699 on 18 Jan was new record. Numbers returned to normal in February and March with counts of 7,028 and 6,887, falling rapidly at the end of March before an exodus (8-10 Apr), when numbers went from 600 to 300 to four. Three pairs were present in late May and breeding was strongly suspected though as usual, no broods were found. First returning birds arrived on 2 Sep, building slowly to 140 at the month's end. December's peak was 6,434. |
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