Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Very common resident. Included in 60.3% of BirdTrack lists. The East of England long-term trend is increasing +119%*. The long-term trend for Bedfordshire is also increasing +111%*. (Green list).
Widespread and reported from hundreds of sites, there were 6,515 records, though 80% were of parties of five or fewer. In the first winter period, there were eight reports of flocks containing 50 or more from six sites, the best of which was at Henlow Grange, with up to 120 there between 15th–17th January. There were 50 in Biggleswade on the 19th and another 50 at Woburn Park on 5th February. The last large flock of the period was of 67 at Broom South Quarry on 11th March.
Post-breeding flocks of 50 or more became apparent from July and sizeable gatherings were at Houghton Brook Pools, Broom GP and Henlow Grange. Th e largest of these flocks were found towards the end of the month, at Pegsdon Hills and Stopsley Common, where 110 were at both sites on the 26th and 31st respectively. September produced the best numbers, with a further 11 counts of 100 or more from five sites. The Pegsdon flock still held similar numbers, but an increase at Henlow Grange saw an impressive peak of 400 there on the 18th and the flock endured well into the second winter period, with 200 still present on 15th October. The last significant gatherings were in November at Blue Lagoon, Arlesey, with 250 on the 15th, and Stotfold, with 150 on the 18th. Numbers tailed off during December, with highs of 60 from both Arlesey and Broom East being the best.
