Peterborough Bird Club annual report Woodcock Scolopax rusticola | A | Scarce resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Scarce breeding resident, passage and winter migrant. Up to three birds were regularly reported at Eldernell Pits during Jan-Feb (RSPB). Four were at Deeping Lakes NR on 9 Feb (TW) with four on same day at Woodwalton Fen NNR (MW). Up to three were reported during winter periods at a further 19 locations. One was found dead in central Peterborough on 18 Mar (CM). At least five 'roding' birds were seen at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 5 May (SPD, KAF) and 3-4 or more birds at Holme Fen NNR on 16-17 June probably also formed part of a breeding population (SPD, KAF).
2002	Scarce breeding resident, passage and winter migrant. Most records of this elusive species came during the two winter periods. Peak counts were at least six at Eldernell on 1 Jan (RPa, SC, SPD) and at least seven at Prior’s Fen GP on 2 Nov (SPD). Elsewhere, between 1-3 birds were seen during the winter period at a further 21 locations, mainly areas of woodland. Birds were seen ‘roding’, the characteristic display flight, at Woodwalton Fen NNR on two occasions with two seen on 12 Mar and at least five on 11 May (both BHS).
2001	Scarce breeding resident, passage and winter migrant. Well recorded during the first winter period: two on the Nene Washes on 24 Jan (RSPB), two at Southey Wood 29 Jan (RMP), singles by the River Welland near Maxey 29 Jan (BT) and at Baston & Langtoft GP 10 Feb (TW). February saw the highest counts of the winter, with four at Tanholt GP 11th (GW), with two again on the Nene Washes 19th (RSPB) and a single at Elton 20th (BHS). In March, four at Deeping Lakes NR 11th (TW), singles at Stanley Park, Peterborough 15th (BHS) and Ferry Meadows CP 24th (MJW), with three at Bainton GP 25th (BT) and the last of the winter one flushed at Werrington on 29th (CM). Three roding birds at Holme Fen NNR 13 May (MC, BT) but no others reported – all records would be appreciated in the future. One ringed at Ferry Meadows CP 13 Aug (CHu) was the first of the autumn, but no more reported until Oct with singles at Prior’s Fen GP 21st (SPD), at Northminster House, Peterborough 5 Nov (DS), Bedford Purlieus NNR 11th (BHS), Garton End Road, Peterborough 13th (TD), Eastrea 20th (SPD, BHS), Eldernell 23rd (JT) and Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR 27–28th (TB). In Dec, singles at Warmington 8th (RD), Baston Fen NR 9th (TW), 14th (JR) and 16th (TW), Burmer Wood 14th (MJW) and Deeping Lakes NR 16th (TW). At Tanholt GP four on 27th (GW) and four at Pumphouse Pit 28th (BHS, SPD) with one at the latter site 30th (SPD, MW).
2000	Uncommon resident and winter visitor. In the first winter period, 1-4 were noted throughout Jan-Feb at Ferry Meadows CP, with two there 25-26 Jan. Elsewhere, one at Eldernell 1 Jan, two at Baston & Langtoft GP 1 Jan, six at Tanholt GP 3 Jan, singles at Orton BP 3rd and 31 Jan, Thorney 9 Jan, Kate's Bridge 16 Jan, Whittlesey (flew into a window) 20 Mar and Bainton GP 26 Mar. Two were at Castor Hanglands NNR 4 Mar, three called there 12 Mar. Singles were at Baston Fen NR on 1 Apr and Ferry Meadows CP 29 Apr. In May/June, Woodwalton Fen NNR had a maximum of three roding 10 May and three roded at Castor Hanglands NNR 13 May, in addition to six non-territorial birds there. Two roded at Monk's Wood NNR. In the second winter period, singles were at Woodwalton Fen NNR 16 Nov, Bainton GP 25 Nov, near Fletton BP and at Eaglesthorpe 20 Dec. Birds were also reported from Orton Waterville.
1999	Uncommon resident and winter visitor. In the first winter period at Ferry Meadows CP, two were present 3 Jan and 3 Feb with singles noted 5 Feb and 18 Mar. One was at Eldernell Pit 20 Jan with two here 15 Feb. Singles were at Castor Hanglands NNR 7 Feb, the Castor-Helpston road 11 Feb and Baston & Langtoft GP 27 Feb and 21 Mar. In spring, one was noted at Castor Hanglands NNR 15 Apr and two 8 May, with 3+ roding at Woodwalton Fen NNR 8 May. Also present at Holme Fen NNR during the breeding season. In October, two flew over a Peterborough parkway 16 Oct, with two at Marholm 29 Oct. November had singles at Beeby's BP 13 Nov, Ferry Meadows CP 16 Nov and Castor Hanglands NNR 26 Nov. In December, singles were at Helpston 4 Dec, Caldecote Wood and Washingley Lake 5 Dec, Norman Cross BP 18 Dec, Drysides BP 27 Dec and Baston Fen NR 28 Dec.
1998	Common resident, winter visitor. Four were at Milton golf course (13 Oct), two at Stanground Wash (10 Mar) and singles reported from Maxey GP, Ferry Meadows CP (seven dates), Baston Fen NR, Baston & Langtoft GP and Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR. Numbers at Castor Hanglands NNR seemed to be down on previous years with usually only one bird roding, compared to up to four previously. At least two roding birds were at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 16 May. Three were noted at Dogsthorpe Tip in Dec (CBR). Nene Washes: One was on the reserve on 15 Feb and another was at Eldernell Pit on 16 Nov.
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