Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Localised resident and scarce breeder. Included in 7.6% of BirdTrack lists. The England long-term trend is increasing +932%*. (Green list).
The only confirmed breeding records came from the River Ivel at Blunham and Rookery North ClP, despite records being received from 32 sites during the breeding period (compared to 18 sites in 2023). Probable breeding records were from eight sites, with possible breeding occurring at a further nine.
In January, there were counts of three from MCP Wetlands NR on the 4th, Meadow Lane GP on the 12th and 30th and Rookery North ClP on the 6th. Two were at Dunstable WTW on the 29th and 31st – the only other site to hold more than one during January. During February, counts of four came from Girtford Meadows on the 16th and from Meadow Lane GP on five dates. The number of records rose significantly during the last week of March. At MCP Wetlands NR there were ten on the 26th, at Meadow Lane GP six on the 10th and at Willington GP five on the 25th. During April, 12 were at MCP Wetlands NR on the 8th, with seven at Stewartby Lake on the same day, and there were seven at Meadow Lane GP on the 29th. In May, apparent numbers decreased as breeding activity intensified, with at most six at Meadow Lane GP on the 21st and five at the River Ivel north of Blunham on the 17th. During June, eight were at Girtford Lakes on the 1st, six were at Rookery South ClP on the 4th and five were at Rookery North ClP on the 4th.
In July, there was a significant decrease in the number of records, as birds began their post breeding moult. The month’s highest counts were of just two, at Octagon Farm GP, Meadow Lane GP and Rookery North ClP. During August, two were at Blunham Bridges on the 14th and 18th, and at Meadow Lane GP on the 8th. In September, counts of two originated from Dunstable WTW on the 24th and 27th, Girtford Lakes on the 1st, Meadow Lane GP on the 4th, Rookery North ClP on the 8th and Willington GP on the 7th. In October there were high counts of five at MCP Wetlands NR on the 17th, four at Girtford Lakes also on the 17th, and three at Langford Meadows on the 31st, MCP Wetlands NR on the 30th, Meadow Lane GP on the 22nd and Rookery North ClP on the 19th. During November, five were at Girtford Lakes on the 10th, three were at Clophill Lakes on the 9th and three were at Meadow Lane GP on the 12th. In December, four were at Girtford Lakes on the 26th and three were at Meadow Lane GP on the 14th.
