Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Abundant passage migrant, summering in low numbers, with a small but increasing breeding population; becoming uncommon in mid-winter. Included in 30.9% of BirdTrack lists. (Amber list).
Breeding was confirmed at MCP Wetlands NR, Luton North Industrial Estates and Grovebury SP. The Luton North Industrial Estates were surveyed on 14th June when four nests were visible but no young were seen. Based on visible nests it was estimated that the breeding population was 10–15 pairs. Breeding success there was evident on 7th August when 26 adults and 41 juveniles arrived at Houghton Brook Pools from the Estates. At MCP Wetlands NR there were 18 adults and 12 juveniles on 3rd August and at Grovebury SP there were 28 adults and 16 young on 20th June.
Monthly peak counts were 155 at Stewartby Lake on 20th January, 1,500 there on 24th February, 200 there on 9th March, 125 at Luton North Industrial Estates on 5th April, 32 at Wardown Park on 29th May and 44 at Grovebury SP on 20th June. From July, and following breeding, there was a marked increase in numbers with a series of monthly peak counts at Broom South Quarry: 500 on 26th July, 722 on 31st August, 600 on 20th September, 2,000 on 11th and 18th October, and again on 4th November. Numbers then tailed off and the peak count for December was at Stewartby Lake, with 120 on the 30th–31st. A lack of access meant that there were no counts from Brogborough Lake.
There was one record of an individual of the subspecies L. f. intermedius, at Houghton Brook Pools on 9th September.
