Species Account
Extract from Bird Report 2024
Locally common summer visitor. Included in 3.9% of BirdTrack lists, compared to 5.0% in 2023. The East of England long-term trend is decreasing -7%. (Amber list).
Breeding was confirmed at the River Ivel at Blunham, Fenlake Meadows, Grovebury SP and Priory CP, with probable breeding at another five sites and possible breeding from a further 12. Records from the breeding season were received from 39 sites, compared to 51 in 2023.
The first of the year was at Fenlake Meadows on 28th March, nine days ahead of the ten-year average of 6th April, with then one at East Hyde on the 29th. After these very early records, the next were not until 6th April, with singles at Gadsey Brook and MCP Wetlands NR. From 10th April, the number of records increased significantly, with six at Girtford Meadows on the 14th and four at The Ridgeway Blunham the same day; seven were at Fenlake Meadows on the 23rd, eight were at Langford Meadows on the 24th, whilst nine at Meadow Lane GP on the 29th was the highest count of the month and the year. During May, there were six at Meadow Lane GP on the 2nd, six at Broom East on the 12th, five at Dunstable WTW on the 13th, five at Houghton Brook Pools on the 16th and seven at Fenlake Meadows on the 20th. In June, there were six at Fenlake Meadows on the 11th and five at Meadow Lane GP on the 17th. The number of records received in July decreased significantly as a pause in singing activity occurred at the tail-end of the breeding season: five were at the River Ivel at Blunham on the 18th, with five also at Houghton Brook Pools during the 15th–19th.
August witnessed a further decline in records, as birds began their migration. The highest counts were of four at the River Ivel at Blunham on the 22nd, three at Houghton Brook Pools on the 30th, with three also at Meadow Lane GP, also on the 30th. During September, records were received from five sites, with three at Houghton Brook Pools on the 2nd and 12th; it was at that site that the last of the year was recorded, on 29th September, 12 days later than the ten-year average.
