Peterborough Bird Club annual report Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficolls | A | Common resident 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003
2003	Common resident breeder. Recorded from 29 sites; present throughout the year but with most records during the two winter periods. Largest flocks during the first winter period were at Tallington GP with 12 on 1 Jan (MC) increasing to 15 on 4 Jan (PT); 15 birds were also present at Deeping St James on 12 Jan (BT). During the second winter period, the peak was of 23 birds at Tallington GP on 26 Dec (RB, WB) and there were 22 at Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR on 28 Aug (SPD). Breeding records were received from Baston & Langtoft GP, Eldernell Pits, Fletton BP, Grummit’s Scrape, King’s Dyke NR, Old Sulehay, Orton BP, Prior’s Fen GP and Deeping Lakes NR.
2002	Common resident breeder. This species can be found on many water bodies in the PBC area, its presence often given away during the breeding season by its characteristic trilling call. The largest count during 2002 was of 18 birds at Orton BP on 9 Oct with 13 still there on 13 Oct (both SPD). Other notable counts included 12 at Tallington GP on 12 Jan (BHS). Single-figure counts also received from a further 25 locations. Breeding was recorded at Baston & Langtoft GP, Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR, Fletton BP, King’s Dyke NR, Orton BP, Serpentine BP, Swaddywell Pit and Deeping Lakes NR.
2001	Common resident breeder. Recorded at 20 sites and particularly widespread during winter months. Most reports were of 1–4 birds but notable peak counts of 18 at Tallington GP 21 Jan (TW) with 16 there 22 Dec (WB), 10 at Baston & Langtoft GP 14 Jan (AD), ten at King’s Dyke NR 19 Mar (GW) and 15 in the Fletton BP area during Oct. Probably overlooked as a breeder, with the only reports being of 3–4 pairs Dogsthorpe Star Pit NR (PJP) and three pairs hatching five broods at King’s Dyke NR (GW).
2000	Widespread resident. Recorded at 15 sites, usually involving up to 10 birds, but peak counts of 35 King’s Dyke NR 13 Feb, 16 at Orton BP 8 Jan, 20 at Fletton BP 28 Oct, 17 at Drysides BP 1 Nov and 12 at Tallington GP 10 Dec. Under-recorded as a breeding species with records from just five sites.
1999	Widespread resident. Recorded on most pits and rivers throughout the year. Maximum counts were in autumn, including an exceptional total of 93 on King’s Dyke BP 10 Oct (BHS). Elsewhere, more typical peaks of up to 25 noted. Breeding birds probably under-recorded - records were of several pairs at Orton BP, two pairs Nene Washes and single pairs Eldernell Pit and Baston & Langtoft GP.
1998	Common resident. Birds were confirmed breeding at Baston & Langtoft GP and Eye BP. Peak counts included 51 at Drysides BP, 31 at McCain's BP, 12 at Eye BP, nine at Baston & Langtoft GP, seven at Milton golf course, six at Ferry Meadows CP, four at Dog-in-a-Doublet and singles at Orton Mere and Crown Lakes CP. Nene Washes: three pairs attempting to best on the reserve floods failed as they dried out. A pair on Eldernell Pit in May probably bred. Scarce throughout.
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