Rare passage migrant.

The earliest record is of two shot near Stevenage in 1907, one on the 25 August and the other on 28 November. One was also shot at Bedwell Plash in November 1909, (the pond and marshy ground that is now the Town Centre Gardens in St. George’s Way.)

Eight records from Fairlands Valley Lakes: six on 27 March 1979 and, single birds on, 27 March 1981, 14 April 1997, 18 March 2003, 16 April 2003, 25 July 2015, 23 March 2019 and 18 March 2021.

Other records: two calling over Box Wood on 8 July 1981, and single birds at Norton Green Tip in February 1987, and on 22 April 1990.