Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Locally common summer visitor. Included in 8.1% of BirdTrack lists. The East of England long-term trend is increasing +29%. (Green list).
Breeding was confirmed at Houghton Brook Pools, MCP Wetlands NR, Meadow Lane GP, Myers Farm Potton and Priory CP. Probable breeding occurred at seven sites, with possible breeding at a further 15. Records were received from 53 sites during the breeding season, compared to 41 in 2023.
The first record of the year was of one at Rookery North ClP on 10th April, three days prior to the ten-year average arrival date. Records became more frequent and geographically widespread from the 20th, culminating in high counts for the month of eight at DW Eggs GP on the 26th, seven at Meadow Lane GP on the 29th and six at Priory CP on the 27th. In May, records were received from a year high of 45 sites, with the ten highest counts of the month all originating from Priory CP, peaking at 17 on the 30th. Away from Priory CP, 12 were at Meadow Lane GP on the 21st and 12 were at Dunstable WTW on the 29th. During June, 19 of the 20 highest counts were from two sites: Houghton Brook Pools and Priory CP, with a high count from the former of 11 on the 19th and from the latter of 14 on the 2nd and 20th; away from those sites, eight were at Rookery North ClP on the 12th.
During July, the only double-figure counts were at Priory CP, with 14 on the 23rd, and at Houghton Brook Pools, also with 14, on the 8th; nine were at Gadsey Brook on the 20th. In August, the highest counts were again from Priory CP, with ten on the 29th and 12 there the following day. Counts were received from six sites during September, with seven at Priory CP on the 7th being the highest. Th e last of the year was a single at Priory CP on the 16th, six days before 2023’s last record and 20 days ahead of the ten-year average last date.
