Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Common resident and passage migrant. Included in 34.6% of BirdTrack lists, but in 37.1% in 2023. The East of England long-term trend is decreasing -54%*. The long-term trend for Bedfordshire is also decreasing -70%*. (Green list).
Widespread throughout the county, there were 3,827 records, of which 91% were for counts of five or fewer. In contrast to 2023, the first winter period accounted for only around a third of all reports of 50 or more. In January, there were 50 at Deepdale from the 1st–4th and 70 at Henlow Grange on the 10th. Away from that area there were 60 at Flitwick Moor on the 7th. A long standing gathering of 50 at Lodge Farm, Chicksands, that were present from 2023, increased to 150 by 4th February. Later that month, there were 62 at Zouches Farm, Dunstable and an increase to 100 in the Broom South Quarry area, a flock that was still present on 11th March, the last significant report before spring.
In an improved second winter period, there were 20 reports of flocks containing 50 or more. In October, vismig provided the best numbers, with counts from Blows Downs (64), Sharpenhoe Clappers (80), The Pinnacle (58) and Warden Hill Everton (64). By the end of the month, the Broom South Quarry area was once again at the forefront, with 50 by the 26th. Migration continued through early November, with 114 through The Pinnacle on the 1st, at least 70 over Brogborough Hill on the 3rd and 61 at Lidlington on the 5th. On the 18th, there were up to 110 at Tithe Farm, Potton, remaining until at least the end of the month, and 50 at both Arlesey Common and Totternhoe Quarry by 6th and 26th December respectively. During that time, a flock at Broom crossroads had increased from 50 on the 18th to the year’s best count of 200 on the 28th.
