Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Widespread and common species, with the population supplemented by releases for shooting. Included in 8.8% of BirdTrack lists. The East of England long-term trend is decreasing -39%*.
Few breeding records were received, with the first of the year being at Cardington Cross on 23rd July, where two adults and four young were noted. Other locations where successfully fledged young were found included Myers Farm Potton and Tetworth Hall Estate in August, but breeding clearly is under-recorded.
Probable releases of 15, 16 and 27 were in the Broom South Quarry and Meppershall areas. The highest counts were of 54 at Tetworth Hall Estate on 4th December and about 45 at Wrest Park on 2nd November.
