Species Account
Bird Report 2024
Common resident. Included in 35.1% of BirdTrack lists. Th e East of England long-term trend is increasing +237%*. (Amber list).
The first sign of eggs was on 1st April at Priory CP, with adults incubating on 6th April. By 18thApril occupied nest sites were at most of the expected locations but a nest at Cen ter Parcs, Woburn on 7th May was a fi rst for that site. On the same day the earliest-reported cygnets were at Great Barford Lake. By 14th May a brood of seven was at Broom East and thereafter young
were at Bedford Park Lake, Blunham Lakes, Dunstable WTW, Harrold-Odell CP, Meadow Lane GP, Priory CP, Poppy Hill Lakes, Quest ClP, Tetworth Hall Estate, Willington GP, Woburn Park and Wrest Park. Brood sizes ranged from one to eight.
The largest count of adults throughout the year was 106 at Priory CP on 3rd February, followed by 104 on the River Ouse through Bedford on 25th February.
