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JDM records

2003 - Another good start to the year, with 10 bird-days, on 9 dates from 8 Jan to 17 Mar, max 2 on 1 Feb, but usually one ad. male present. In the late year, just 6 bird-days on 4 dates: 3 (1m, 2f/imm) on 6 Nov, 1(m) on 13 & 25 Nov and 21 Dec - a surprisingly poor showing given the good coverage in the key late Nov period.

2002 - A good start to the year, with 10 bird-days, on 9 dates from 2 Jan to 22 Mar, the latest recorded in spring. In the late year, the critical time was under-recorded, but nonetheless there were 9 bird-days on 3 dates: 4 (f) on 7 Nov, 4 (2m,2f) on 28 Dec, 1(m) on 30 Dec. DBR - At least 2-3 birds through Jan & Feb.

2001 - A poor early part of the year, with just 5 bird-days, on 3 dates from 16 Jan to 14 Mar. In the late year, 8 bird-days on 5 dates from 31 Oct to 30 Dec, max 3 (1m, 2f/i) on 30 Dec.

2000 - In the early part of the year, 13 bird-days, on 9 dates from 9 Jan to 13 Mar, max three (m & 2f/i)on 8 Feb. In autumn, 7 bird-days on 4 dates from 6 Nov to 31 Dec, max three (f/i) on 31 Dec. (but no recording 16 Nov to 27 Dec when a peak might be expected).

1985 - Only recorded in the early part of the year, from 1 Jan to 11 Mar, max five on 10 & 11 Jan. 32 bird-days in total.

1984 - Recorded Jan - 21 Mar and 22 Oct - end of year. Max 4 on 11 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

1983 - Recorded Jan - 10 Feb and 14 Nov- end of year. Max 2 on 7 Feb & 17 Nov ( Monthly maxima as follows:

1982 - Recorded Jan - 8 Mar (max 3 on 11 Jan) and 8 Nov- end of year. Max 5 on 19 Nov.

Records from Bird Reports and other sources

1999 - Newton's Cove had 18 bird-days from 1 Jan to 16 Mar, max 4 on 21 Jan. Records from The Nothe itself : one on 4 Feb; one 13 Feb; three 22 Feb; two 13 Mar. In autumn, Newton's Cove had 4 bird-days in Dec, while The Nothe had a single on 27 and 28 Dec.

1998 - Newton's Cove had one from 6 Jan to 6 Mar. Nothe Fort had one on 31 Jan and one on 8 Mar.In autumn 2 wintering birds on The Nothe, with one in Newton's Cove.

1997 - Newton's Cove had one on 7 dates from 6 Jan to 6 Mar.The Nothe had one on 2 Mar. In autumn Newton's Cove had two on 15 Dec, one on 19 and 28 Dec.

1995 - Newton's Cove up to 4 in late winter period

1993 - 2 at The Nothe were the max in Dorset during the late winter period.

1992 - Recorded 'most frequently' at The Nothe/Newton's Cove, in early winter. Up to 3 26 Nov - end of year.

1991 - At least one, Jan & Feb

1984 - Max 5 in the latter part of the year

1983 - Max 5 in the early part of the year, max 3 in the later part of the year.

1982 - Max 4 Jan-Mar. At the Nothe/Newton's Cove record max 10 on 12 Nov with up to 6 wintering Nov-Dec.

1938 - 'Six near The Nothe, Weymouth,where they stayed until the end of March.' (D.R.Rowston in DNHAS Report on Dorset Natural History)