Peterborough Bird Club annual report Fieldfare Turdus pilaris | A | Common 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. A particularly late bird was recorded at Market Deeping on 16 May (AA, PA), the previous last record being on 28 April. The first returning bird was at Ferry Meadows CP on 6 Oct (DG). The peak count of the first winter period was of c.1,300 at Farcet Fen on 14 Feb (SPD). The highest counts of the second winter period were c.1,000 at Morborne Hill on 1 Dec (SE) and 730+ at Eldernell on 1 Nov (SPD).
2002	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. Recorded frequently from the start of the year right up until 20 Apr at Orton Brimbles (MJW). Autumn records did not start again until 10 Oct, when there were 35 at Yarwell (NO). There were many large counts, mostly in the latter part of the year. The peak was of 920 seen at a pre-roost gathering at Farcet Fen on 3 Dec (SPD). A count of 720 flying south-west was made at the Nene Washes RSPB reserve in two hours from 10.30am on 2 Nov (SPD).
2001	Common winter migrant and passage migrant. Well reported from a total of 46 sites. Highest counts in the first half of the year were of 300 at Elton and Fotheringhay in Jan-Feb, 255 at the High Wash 24 Jan, c.200 at Morborne Hill 3 Apr (BHS), up to 150 in the Eldernell area (RSPB), 100 at Bainton GP 15 Feb (MHo) and 100 at Deeping High Bank 3 Mar (AD). Last reported 27 Apr at Elton (BHS). Reported again from 23 Sep when 40 were at Glinton (MC) and 12 at Ramsey St Mary's (MF). Only two further records in Sep, one at Hampton Lakes on 25th (JW) and 20 at Lower Lodge Farm, Upton, on 27th (MM, OM). Main arrival occurred from 14 Oct when 78 roosted at Eldernell (SPD) and 40 west over Orton Brimbles (MJW). Largest counts were 1200 between Flag Fen and Dog-in-a-Doublet 13 Nov (SPD), 360 at Baston Fen NR 21 Dec and 165 on 17th (JR), 200+ at Castor Mill 18 Nov (CHa), 200 at Eldernell Pits 23 Nov (RSPB) with 150 there on 2th (BHS) and 100+ on 16th (DSu), 161 at Deeping Lakes NR 4 Nov (TW) with 150 there on 24th (WB), 150 in three flocks at Stamford 27 Oct (CP), 120+ at Prior’s Fen GP 24 Oct (SPD) and 100+ at Baston Fen NR 16 Dec (AD). A total of 268 counted along the Nene Washes 4 Nov (RSPB). Westerly movement of 100 over Elton 29 Oct with 50 over the same site 4 Nov and 50 over Stanley Park, Peterborough, 11 (BHS), 40 at Orton Brimbles 14 Oct (MJW) and over noted moving over Deeping Lakes NR 23 Oct (WB).
2000	Common winter visitor and migrant. Equally well-distributed in both winter periods, with peak counts being 280 on 8 Jan in Peterborough, 250 at Elton on 16 Jan, 250 at Baston Fen NR on 6 Feb and 450 at Morborne Hill on 21 Mar, the last spring record coming from this same locality on 26 Apr. The first returning birds were a small party at Werrington on 1 Oct, then present at numerous sites until the year's end, with the highest autumn count being 290 at the Nene Washes on 18 Dec (CBR).
1999	Common winter visitor and migrant. Well-distributed throughout the area. Latest recorded date for the winter period was on 7 Apr with a single bird at Ferry Meadows CP (RH). First returning birds were a flock of c100 at Ferry Meadows CP on 5 Oct (RH). This was the same date and location as last year's first arrivals. Largest counts included 800 on 14 Feb between Tansor and Cotterstock, 400 on 15 Nov at Morborne Hill, 300 on 1 Feb at Elton, 300 on 2 Mar at Haddon and 200 on 31 Oct at Warmington.
1998	Common winter visitor. The last four birds of the first winter period were at Morborne Hill on 5 May (BHS). Sizeable flocks included c400 at Haddon on 21 Dec, c200 at Morborne Hill on 13th and 15 Mar, with c550 there on 30 Mar. The first returning bird was at Ferry Meadows CP on 5 Oct (TD). Early November saw a massive influx into north Norfolk which in turn produced large movements in the region, eg. with 550 per hour over Baston & Langtoft GP (1 Nov) and heavy passage over Milton Park, Elton and 300 over Longthorpe the same day. Huge numbers were reported in loose, variable-sized flocks across a wide area over central Peterborough (5 Nov) - 200 at Orton BP and 650 over Wyman's Bridge in two hours. There were 300 over Baston & Langtoft GP on 7 Nov and 150 over Peterborough on 13 Nov. Some 300 were at Orton BP on 4 Dec with 500 there on 16 Dec. Nene Washes: There were 200 along the washes between January and March, with 40 still present on 7 Apr. One was at Eldernell 8-13 May. Eighty arrived on 31 Oct, followed by 500 on 3 Nov and 1,000+ on 5th and 7 Nov. There were 623 feeding along the washes on 8 Nov and up to 250 present throughout December.
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