30th April 2007

NIGHTJARS back, already, at breeding grounds last night

Trough Lane, 3 Wheatears



Strid Woods
Redstart, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, pied Flycatchers
photo B Vickers

East Riddlesden Hall
Kingfisher, Sand Martin, House Martin, Coot with young,
Bullfinch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff

Marley Brow - Peregrine flyover, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Blackcaps

Glovershaw - Yellowhammer (male) along the Glen Road. Birch Close Lane three Wheatears (2 male, 1female).

Undisclosed Site - pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (photo M Taunton)




B Vickers, S Radcliffe, P King, M Taunton

29th April 2007

photo I Hargreaves

Barden to Strid Woods and Posforth Gill and back 0745-1115
20+ sand martins, gswdpkr, 2 common sandpiper, 2 treecreeper,
nuthatch, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, 1 pied wagtail, 1 male goosander,
dipper feeding young nr outfall by aqueduct, mallards with ducklings,
at least 4 pairs pied flycatchers at nestboxes, tawny owl hooting,
blackcaps, garden warbler, at least 2 wood warblers heard, swift,
2 swallows, some house martins at Park Hill Farm

2 seperate Strid Woods walks produced:
3 male Redstart, 3 male Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher
2 male, 1 female Mandarin Duck, several Tawny Owls calling,
Grey Wagtails with young, Treecreepers
photos by M Taunton
photos by I Hargreaves

Glovershaw Area

Cuckoo (heard), three pairs of Linnets, Reed Buntings in pairs. On the Sconce side a Whitethroat was singing. Birch Close Lane - 8 Wheatears feeding.

Private Wetlands
Dunlin, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler
Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin, Swift
Swallow, Red-breasted Goose, Goldeneye, Little Grebe,
3 pairs GCGrebe, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Lapwings,
2 Goosander, GSWdpkr,
Knotford Nook
male Pochard, Swallows, Sand Martins, pair Reed Bunting,
Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler,

Goit Stock
Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler,
2 Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtail, Jay
Stockbridge - 43 species!
9 Swift, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroat, Stock Dove,
pair of Kestrel, Song Thrush on nest.

Fly Flatts
11 Wheatear, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2m Reed Bunting

Lower Barden Res:
Willow Warblers everywhere, Cuckoo, Pair Common Sandpiper,
Pair Stonechat, Pair Grey Wagtail, Oyks, Swallow, Redshank.
Timble - 3 tree pipit, 4 redstart

Marley Playing Fields
Whitethroat, Garden Warbler 2, Blackcap 2,
2 Common Sandpiper on the river Aire

Members Only Res pm visit.
2 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank 2
photo B Vickers

D&H Kidman, P King, M Taunton, B Sumner, B Vickers,
M&H Doveston, S Radcliffe, M Gurney, S Thomson, I Hargreaves

28th April 2007

Timble Ings
tree pipit, redstart, singing redpoll

28th April 2007

St.Ives
Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Tawny Owl, 7+Blackcap,
7+Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 6 Jay, Nuthatches, 3 Treecreeper

Old Allen Road, Harecroft - male Wheatear

Birchlands Ave, Wilsden - House Martins

Riddlesden
House Martins, Oystercatcher, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap

Trough Lane - Wheatear

Glovershaw - 3 Wheatear

Ben Rhydding - 4 Garden Warblers

Soil Hill - 13 Wheatear

Strid Woods
4 pair of Pied Flycatcher 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Treecreepers


M Doveston, K Moir, B Vickers, S Goodwin, P King, H Doveston

27th April 2007

5 Wheatears at Glovershaw (4 m, 1f)

Private Wetland
Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warblers, 5 Swift

Yeadon Tarn - 1 Common Tern

Knotford Nook -
Tree Sparrow, female Goldeneye, pair of Tufted,
pair of G C Grebe , Whitethroat in lane

Soil Hill - 29 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel



P King, T Keuchel, S Radcliffe, K Moir

26th April 2007

Soil Hill 7.07 a.m.
Wheatear numbers were down to 20 after yesterday's spectacular numbers. 13 of these were in the first two fields on the right coming on the footpath from Perseverance Road. Four others were on top of the covered reservoir and the other three scattered around. Two Carrion Crows were taking a keen interest in the comms tower, but the pair of Blackbirds that had been here has moved on. The single kestrel monitored the Keelham side of the hill. Two Cormorants flew west high. A single Lapwing was on the top of the hill, but there were at least six more down the slope below the tipped area near the main road.

Low Wood area
Garden Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Willow warbler,
Nuthatch, GSW, Jay & singing Goldcrest.

Bradup/Whetstone Gate
pair of Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, female Stonechat

Kex Gill
Red Kite, plus 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 pair Ringed Plover,
1 pair Redshank and 2 Wheatears. Lots of Curlews

Several Swifts over Keighley, at one time around a dozen
were buzzing a soaring Sparrowhawk.

8 Wheatear at Slippery Ford

Undisclosed Sites:
Merlin, 2x SEO, Red Kite

Swinsty
Pied Flycatcher, 4 GSW.

Lindley Wood Res
2 Pied Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 3 Swallow,
8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap.

Marley Playing Fields,
Garden Warbler 2, Blackcap 1, Song Thrush 2, Swift 4,
House martin 2, Sand martin 40+.

37 Wheatear and 1 Whinchat at Trough Lane, early Am.


M Gurney, I Hargreaves, B Vickers, RHProctor, E Scarfe
C Shields, S Radcliffe, C King

25th April 2007

Soil Hill - 90+ Wheatear!

Glovershaw Area - 2 male Whinchat

Stockbridge Area - Cuckoo

Trough Lane - 42 Wheatears

Barden - Cuckoo calling, 1 Swift

East Riddlesden Hall
2 Bullfinch, Mute Swan, Blackcap

Ilkley - Swift

Ilkley Moor (above The Tarn/White Wells) – Cuckoo calling

P King, B Vickers, J Brownbridge, J Stallworthy, D Kidman

24th April 2007

Burley Woodhead
Cuckoo, Ring Ouzel, 7 Wheatear

Lee Lane, Cottingley/Wilsden - Common Buzzard

Trough Lane - 26 Wheatear

Members Only Res- 1 pair Stonechat


P&M Riley, M Gurney, B Vickers,

23rd April 2007

Glovershaw area:
male Whinchat, 8 Wheatear (3m 5f), 2 male Stonechat
24 Golden Plover, 2pairs Snipe, 1 pair Grey Partridge

Members Only Res - 3 Snipe displaying

Trough Lane - 18 Wheatear

Leeshaw Res - Common Sandpiper

Oxenhope Village - 6 House Martins


B Vickers, P King

Sponsored bird watch diary 22nd April 2007

After dropping off my parents at Yeadon Airport I arrived at Knotford Nook...

Knotford Nook: 06.40
no sign of the male Pochard from last weekend or of any arrival of Yellow Wagtails. Just a few common species to start my day's list: Coot, Swallow, Moorhen, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Blackbird etc, heard Blackcap

Private Wetlands 07.00
2 Swift, 2 Common Sandpiper (both my firsts of the year), 1 Greenshank!, 50+ Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, 4 GCGrebe, 1 Little Grebe, Greylags, Canadas, Cormorant, GHeron, Long-tailed Tits, Reed Bunting, Jay, Greenfinch, 2 Grey Partridge.
I was disappointed that the Wigeon weren't about and no sign of Goldeneye, however, a single Red-breasted Goose (escapee from Harewood no doubt) was worth a look. To make things more bizarre I saw one of the infamous Parakeets as I made my way back to my car. And I still couldn't find a Blackcap to look at.

I then drove home to Riddlesden to pick up my good lady wife before we travelled to Barden and walked to Cavendish Pavillion and back. En route I saw a Sparrowhawk. I went via Baildon Moor hoping to see Yellowhammer but only managed Kestrel

East Riddlesden Hall 09.00
Chiffchaff, Goosander, Stock Dove, 2 Greylags on lake, BHGull, heard Blackcap again. Best sighting was a Red-legged Partridge.

Barden to Cavendish Pavillion and back: 10.00-12.50
4 male Pied Flycatchers plus a pair, 3 male Redstarts, Common Sandpiper, 2 male Mandarin,
Dipper with 4 juvs, Grey Wagtails, 1 Raven, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, GSWdpkr, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Curlew, heard Blackcap, heard Goldcrest, heard Green Woodpecker.
My first Pied Flys and Redstarts of the year were the highlights as well as a single Raven over the moors.

East Riddlesden Hall: 13.30, Back home for lunch and some garden birding:
2 Bullfinch, 1 female Blackcap (a sighting at last!), Song Thrush, Coal Tit, heard Kingfisher, heard Brambling,

having checked my list I decided to go check a couple of reservoirs during the late afternoon and also some moorland habitat to try and maximise my species...

Doe Park Reservoir:
Skylark, Linnets, Common Sandpiper, Swallow

Trough Lane: - 12 Wheatear, male Stonechat

Members Only Res 16.00 - 17.00
Snipe, Golden Plover, 2 female Goldeneye, Linnets, Swallows, Skylarks, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 LBBGulls, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Partridge, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Willow Warblers

Whetstone Quarry area 17.30
Red Grouse, Little Owl, Meadow Pipits

As the day list was for a sponsored event I decided I'd count every bird seen including escapees and Feral Pigeons.
My total for the day = 90 birds seen plus another 5 heard = 95 species.

Not a bad total to say I didn't go flat out and bird from dawn 'til dusk and I didn't linger at any location to see what might drop in.


M Doveston

22nd April 2007

Askwith
2 swift, tawny owl with 2 young

Members Only Res - vismig watch
Hobby (Same bird also seen moments later at Fly Flatts)
Golden Plover 50+, Dunlin, LRP, Common Sandpiper 2
Redshank 2, Snipe 2+, LBB Gull 20+, Goldeneye 2 Females
Cormorant 2, Swallows 90+, Sand Martin 2, Ring Ouzel 2
Linnet 4, Wheatear 5, Reed Bunting 4, Stonechat

Fly Flatts -
2 Wheatear (5 in the evening), Hobby, Common Sandpiper

Grasshopper Warbler in undergrowth near canal towpath near Sandbeds.
reeled briefly just the once. Returned to site in the evening. No bird.
Also singing Grey Wagtail at canal overspill drain

Riddlesden old hospital grounds –
GSW, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Stockbridge – 38 species.
Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Kingfisher,
Bullfinch, Swallow, Reed Bunting.
In the evening - juvenile Tawny Owl. Noctule Bat.

Trough Lane - 19 Wheatear, male Stonechat

Knotford Nook
2 Chiffchaff, 20 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow

River Wharfe:-3 male Goosander.

Gallows Hill:-3 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler


Dick Hudsons and 12 Apostles (photo I Hargreaves)
Green Woodpecker calling from area around Graincliffe Res.
2 Linnet, Pair Grey Partridge, Lapwings on nests.
8 Wheatear between DH and 12 A's, Several Curlew on territories.
Skylarks singing, Meadow Pipits, too many pairs of Greylag
Not many Red Grouse seen, 3 Golden Plover on likely territories.

Weecher area - 6 Wheatears, 2 pairs Grey Partridge.

Whetstone - 2 Wheatears, 2 Stonechat

Glovershaw
male Stonechat was on the bracken by the Glen Road and a
Redshank was chased by a Lapwing, A Snipe was displaying
and an Oystercatcher flew over. 3 Wheatears, a male and two
females were also in the area.

Bingley - 2 Swifts

C King, DCBarker, B Sumner, H Creber, B Vickers, A Jowett, I Hargreaves, E Scarfe, P King, S Radcliffe, M Gurney

21st April 2007




Strid Woods area (photos digi-binned M Taunton)
3 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Redstart, Swift, Tawny Owl

Dob Park wood:-
GSW, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler.

Folly Hall Wood:-
3 Pied Flycatcher (pair at Nest box), GSW, 2 Chiffchaff.

Dob Park bridge:-
5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow warbler,
1 Grey form Tawny Owl dive bombed by Song Thrush.

Lindley Wood:-3 Swallow.

East Riddlesden Hall
male Brambling, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler
Coot with 6 young, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, GHeron,
pair Bullfinch, 4 BHGull,
Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock

Newsholme Dean
15 Ring Ouzel dropped in at 7.30am!

St.Ives
6 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, Brambling
6 Jay, 4 Nuthatch, 5 GSWdpkr, Treecreeper

Doe Park Res
Skylark, Willow Warblers, Little Owl, Linnets

Harden - 2 Swallow

Harecroft - 2 Swallow

Marley R.Aire
uggins of Sand Martin, at least 70+, Goosander

3 Wheatear at Bradup

Soil Hill
5 Wheatear, 10 Twite, Male Stonechat.

Trough Lane 25 Wheatear

Fly Flatts 2 Wheatear, Male Stonechat, Common Sandpiper

Pair Stonechat Whetstone Quarry also;
c10 Wheatear , 4 Linnet


Leeshaw Res (photo B Vickers)
pair of Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Wheatears

Buckstones, Rombalds Moor
1 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare

BOG bird walk:
Baildon Moor, Glovershaw, Weecher & Sconce Lane
2 pairs Yellowhammer, 4+6 Wheatear, 20+16 Golden Plover
20+Willow Warbler, 2 Stonechat

Shibden Head, Queensbury : -
Redwing 1, Swallow 1, Willow Warbler 8, Chiffchaff 1
Bullfinch 2 (M+F), Little Owl 1, Jay 2, GSWdpkr 3
Green Woodpecker 2
Kex Gill
yellow wagtail

M&H Doveston, M James, I Hargreave, P King,
B Vickers, S Radcliffe, M Taunton, C King, E Scarfe

20th April 2007

At least 44 Wheatears at Trough lane this morning,
also a pair of Reed Bunting and a pair of Stonechat.

Upper and Lower Barden Reservoirs.
Stonechats - five pairs, Common Sandpiper, pair of Redshank
2 pairs of Oystercatchers, Whitethroat,
Black-headed Gull breeding colony in full swing and
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted. Pair of Teal,
male Wheatear

Bradup
pair of Redshank, 8 Linnets

East Riddlesden Hall
Kingfisher, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler
2 Song Thrush 2 Bullfinch, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan

Members Only Res
50+ Golden Plover, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper,
5 Redshank, 1 Snipe displaying.

B Vickers, P King, S Radcliffe, M&H Doveston

19th May 2007

Low Wood Area - 3 Blackcaps

Bradup - male Wheatear, male Whinchat, 4 Linnet

10x Wheatear at Trough Lane increasing to 20

Members Only Res - 2 Wheatear

Little Ringed Plover at Leeshaw res

Whimbrel flying over Wilsden cricket field approx 8.15pm

Glovershaw
male Wheatear, female Stonechat, a pair of Grey Partridge
50+ GoldenPlovers still in area


S Radcliffe, B Vickers, D Barker, P King

18th April 2007

Toad Holes Beck singing Lesser Whitethroat,
Swallow, Blackcap Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler

East Riddlesden Hall
male Brambling, Blackcaps, 2 Bullfinch, Chiffchaff

Lindley Wood Reservoir to Folly Hall Wood
1 male Redstart near little bridge to north of reservoir (no redstarts or flycatchers found in Folly Hall Wood), 2 pairs of redshank at top end of reservoir. Lots of warblers singing: 7 blackcaps: 11 willow warblers: 12 chiffchaff, 2 drumming great spot; 2/3 green woodpeckers calling; lots of curlews over/calling 4 nuthatch; 2 treecreepers
Pair of mandarin still above Dob Park (in river 200 yards to north)

Denton Hall (feeding in fields in front)
57 Curlew, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Oystercatchers

Timble Ings -
3 Redstarts, 4 Chiffchaff, 8+ Willow Warblers
7 Curlew, 3+ Goldcrest

3 Wheatears Trough lane, Pair Stonechat,

Wheatear, 3 Twite, Skylarks Soil Hill,

Male Ring Ouzel flew over Leeming res at 1600

Members Only Res -Rock Pipit

Glovershaw
3 Wheatears (1 male and 2 females), about 50 Golden Plovers
pair of Linnets and a pair of Reed Buntings.


MVPriestley, M Doveston, J Flood, P King,
S Goodwin, B Vickers, RHProctor, C King

17th April 2007

Three Rise Locks - Grey Wagtail

Crossflatts canal - 2 Swallows

Shipley Glen & Glovershaw
Green Woodpecker and 12 Willow Warblers now in full song.
Nuthatches can be heard throughout the Glen and GSWdpkrs
are also very vocal as well. A Swallow flew over Golcar Farm and
a female Wheatear was seen in the fields where 52 Golden Plover
were. These are now in summer plumage and are the 'northern' race

East Riddlesden Hall
Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Mute Swan,

Whetstone Quarry
At least 1 Ring Ouzel still there. Also pr Stonechat, 9 Linnet

A Josephs, P King, M Doveston, S Goodwin

16th April 2007

Soil Hill - 2 Wheatear, Swallow

Members Only Res
Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Redshank,
Swallow, Mallard ( with 12 ducklings), 11 Golden Plover flew past
during a brief pm visit.

photo B Vickers

Doe Park - pm visit
3 Swallows, Willow Warblers, Linnets

Chellow Dene - pair of Great Crested Grebes, 11 Tufted Duck

Trough Lane - Little Owl

Leeming Reservoir - Little Ringed Plover

Street Lane, Riddlesden - 12 Fieldfare

Bradup
singing male Stonechat, Wheatear, 8 Stock Dove,
2 Red-legged Partridge, Redshank

East Riddlesden Hall
Blackcap, 2 Bullfinch, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck

Glovershaw
Golden Plover flock is back up to 32 and 4 Wheatears (2 male and 2 females)were feeding on the rough ground alongside the golfcourse across from Golcar Farm


B Vickers, K Moir, M Doveston, S Radcliffe,
H Doveston, P King

15th April 2007




Whetstone Quarry area
2 Ring Ouzel (photos I Hargreaves), a third near Buck Stones,
Wheatear, male Reed Bunting, Green Hairstreak
Low Moor Area - Grasshopper Warbler reeling,
also 2 House Martin

Soil Hill - 2 Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, 4 Linnet

Fly Flatts
2
Grey Partridge, 7 Wheatear, Shelduck, 2 Redshank
11 Twite, 4 Linnet, 1pr Stonechat, 4 Golden Plover

Private Wetlands
2 Grey Partridge, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackcaps
Willow Warblers, Redshanks, Lapwings, Oystercatchers,
GCGrebes, Tufted Ducks,

Knotford Nook
male Pochard, Chiffchaff, Blackcap
Myrtle Park
Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch
East Riddlesden Hall
Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler
2 Bullfinch, GSWpkr, Mute Swan
Orange Tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell

Harecroft - Swallow

Trough Lane - 2 Wheatear, male Stonechat

Lee Lane, Cottingley/Wilsden- 4 Swallow

Members Only Res - vismig
Meadow Pipit, Swallow 15, Skylark, Wood Pigeon,
LBBGull 3, BHGull 3

Sandbeds, Canal area - pair of Bullfinch
Riddlesden old Hospital grounds
GSW, Chiffchaff & Jay
Stockbridge - 34 species including
Willow Warbler, pair of Kestrel, Jay plus a pair of Bullfinches.
Orange Tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood & Holly Blue
I Hargreaves, M Doveston, B Vickers, M Priestley,
B Sumner, DCBarker, K Moir, S Radcliffe

14th April 2007

St.Ives
8 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 9 Jay
Green Wdpkr, 5 GSWdpkr, Skylark, 2 Bullfinch
2 Sparrowhawk, Nuthatches, 4 singing Mistle Thrush

East Riddlesden Hall
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Tufted Duck
Mute Swan

Soil Hill -
3 male Ring Ouzel down hill near 2 ponds
3 Wheatear - pm, plenty of butterflies

Glovershaw
5 Snipe were again very active,with birds seen displaying and sitting on posts and walls. A pair of Grey Partridges were flushed and a Wheatear was seen. The flock of Golden Plovers is now down to 23 birds.

Shipley Glen
GSWdpkers continued territorial disputes in the Glen this morning, all week four birds have been chasing and drumming in the trees on the edge of the Glen, across from Brackenhall.
Willow Warblers have now firmly established themselves, now there are seven singing birds in the area at the top of the Glen.

Members Only Res
Curlew 6, Lapwing 5, Goldeneye 3 (1M + 2F), Greylag 2
Red-legged Partridge 2, Stock Dove 5,
Golden Plover - several calling over Ogden Moor
Redshank 2, Dunlin 1 (Summer Plumage), Swallow 1
Wheatear 2, Willow Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 2 (M + F)
Stonechat 4+, Skylark 5+, Pied Wagtail 10+, Linnet 10+

4 Wheatear and a pair of Stonechats Trough Lane

3 Wheatear, Fly Flatts and a male Stonechat
Hobby flew through at 0915

Ilkley Road, Riddlesden - 4 Swallow on territory

Raggalds, Queensbury - Swallow


M Doveston, K Moir, P King, B Vickers,
C King, H Doveston, H Creber, C Shields

13th April 2007

Soil Hill
2 male Ring Ouzel, 6 Wheatear, 2 Swallow, Skylarks

Fly Flatts
16 Twite, 4 Wheatear, Meadow Pipits, male Stonechat
2 Greylags, 8 Canada Geese

East Riddlesden Hall
2 male Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, pair Bullfinch

R.Aire, Marley
26 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Jay,
2 pairs Goosander, Meadow Pipit

Members Only Res - Snipe chippering

Trough Lane - 3 Wheatear

Nab Water Lane, Oxenhope - Snipe chippering

Undisclosed Site:
A second pair of LRP have arrived at a second location


K Moir, M Doveston, C Shields, B Vickers, H Doveston

12th April 2007

St.Ives
7 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 14 Jay in one group
Nuthatches, GSWdpkr, Green Wdpkr, Treecreeper, Bullfinch

East Riddlesden Hall
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler & Blackcap all singing,
GSWdpkr drumming, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck
Brambling still present, 2 Bullfinch, 16 Sand Martin

Undisclosed Site:
4 Red Kite, Buzzards, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk
Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Brimstone Butterfly

Low Wood, Riddlesden:
4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch,
Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, GSW.
Brimstone Butterfly & Speckled Wood

M Doveston, H Doveston, AGGough, S Radcliffe

11th April 2007

East Riddlesden Hall
4 Brambling (2 pairs) with 1 male in song!
Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, GSWdpkr drumming

Doe Park Res
Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 10x Linnets, Green Wdpkr
Willow Warbler and a Blackcap in Low Moor garden

Glovershaw
15 pairs of Lapwings and 4 pairs of Curlews.
2 Oystercatchers were feeding in the fields behind Golcar Farm
two pairs of Snipe were actively displaying. Reed Bunting,
Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, 10-13 wheater, 2 golden Plover
SEO, 2 kestrel
Photo by Neilos

River Aire (near Esholt) -
Kingfisher, House Martin, Blackcap singing, a number of ChiffChaff,
Grey Wagtail, GSWdpkr

Shipley Glen
Lesser Spotted Wdpkr, GSWdpkr, Green Woodpecker, Jays
pair of Treecreepers are by the Old Glen House and Nuthatches

House Martin Bingley Garden 18.30
Trough Lane - 14 Wheatear

Members Only Res vismig watch
Meadow Pipit 65, LRPlover 2, MistleThrush 3, Linnet 2, Skylark
Evening sightings:
Wheatear, Snipe 2, Swallow, 2 pair of Stonechat,
Linnet 2, Oystercatcher 1, Redshank 6

Ilkley to Round Hill, Beamsley Beacon and back
Little Grebe and Grey Wagtail just upstream from Old Bridge, Ilkley
2 Chiffchaff on the way up past Middleton Lodge
Redshank at Windsover Farm, Red Kite near top of Round Hill
3 Kestrels, at least 6 Wheatear and another Redshank
Loads of curlews, lapwings, meadow pipits, skylarks around
Red Grouse, pheasants seen..Lots of Peacock Butterflies throughout


M&H Doveston, P King, MVPriestley, P Croft, DCBarker, B Vickers,
S Parkes, J Stallworthy, Neil Carr

Little Ringed Plover

Thankfully Little Ringed Plver have returned to our area. However, we'd like to remind birders who know of their location that they are a schedule 1 species and it is illegal to disturb their breeding grounds.


B.O.G.

10th April 2007

East Riddlesden Hall
Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, 2 Jay, GHeron, Mute Swan
Tufted Duck, Goldfinch, 2 Brambling, 2 SongThrush

Riddlesden 14.30 - Osprey flew up Aire valley

R.Aire, Marley - 12+Sand Martin

Barden Bridge 07.20 - Osprey sat in tree
also 5 Mandarin in the area

Trough Lane - 14 Wheatear

Members Only Res - 1 pair Stonechat

Glovershaw area - 13 Wheatears, Short-eared Owl


M&H Doveston, B Vickers, J Brownbridge, J Flood, N Carr.

9th April 2007

Shipley Glen - Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers 1 pair
pair of Treecreepers and a pair of Nuthatches and two female GSW.

Glovershaw,
Lapwings & Curlews sitting and defending territory,
about 50 Golden Plovers remain. A pair of Stonechats,
Skylarks, Mpipits and Reed Buntings are now established.

Members Only Res
2 Wheatear, 2 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye.

Trough Lane
Wheatears 6 , Pair of Stonechat, Reed Bunting

R Aire Cottingley -
Black Swan, 2 Blackcaps singing plus 6 Swallows.

Crossflatts - Willow Warbler singing early morning

Dowley Gap - 2 Swallows


P King, B Vickers, S Radcliffe, H Doveston, P Cunningham

8th April 2007

Members Only Res - vismig watch
Meadow Pipit 101, Twite 6, Curlew, Linnet 2, Wood Pigeon 2
Pipit sp (possibly Water), Goldfinch 5, Wheatear, Lapwing,
Common Gull 3, LBBGull 10

Shipley Glen
2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, two singing Nuthatch
and a drumming GSW.

Willow Warbler by Glovershaw Farm, 30 Fieldfare, female GSW
Lapwings defending territory, 2 Snipe were displaying, pair of GreyPartridges, Golden Plover flock is now about 50 birds.

R.Aire, Cottingley
Black Swan, 3 Chiffchaff, Dipper, 4 Goosander

East Riddlesden Hall
2 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, Mute Swan, nesting Coot


DCBarker, P King, H Doveston

7th April 2007

East Riddlesden Hall
male Bullfinch, female Brambling, Mute Swan, nesting Coot

Wheatear (male) at Golcar Farm, Glovershaw

Fly Flatts - 10 Twite


H Doveston, B Sumner, P King

Good Friday

Oxenhope Moor
osprey, wheatear, 50 Golden Plover

Leeshaw Res
Common Scoter, 3 Redshank, 5 Linnets

Whetstone Gate
2 pairs stonechat, wheatear

Members Only Res - vismig watch
Meadow Pipit 169, Goldfinch 10, Skylark 2, LBB Gull 25,
Common Gull 3, Raven 1 mobbed, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear 4,
Stonechat 2, Swallow, 2 Redshank, 3 Goosander,
3 Goldeneye, male Stonechat

East Riddlesden Hall
young Woodpigeon, 2 Brambling, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit

4 Wheatears along Trough Lane

Leeming Reservoir - 2 Little Grebes

Whetstone Gate area
Wheatears -A pair on the burnt area beyond the Gate and two males and a female on the slope to the west of the Quarry with two Little Owls nearby. Mipits in territorial displays and chases. There were a number of Skylarks in display flights, two pairs of Stonechat (one pair near the gate and a pair near the Quarry), Red Grouse were very vocal. Curlews and Lapwings


B Vickers, DCBarker, H Doveston, P King, S Radcliffe, I Hargreaves

5th April 2007


Riddlesden, Leach Way
Pair of Tree Sparrows on bird table today 0915
"first I've seen in this area in 9 yrs"

Silsden - Swallow

brief view of a male Merlin at Whetstone Gate,
also a male Wheatear and a pair of Stonechat

St Ives
Buzzard flew up the Aire valley, also lots of Chiffchaffs singing
Male Wheatear at Trough Lane

Members Only Res, 4 Cormorant, 2 Goldeneye, 13 Goosander


Fly Flatts Res - 4 Teal (photo B Vickers)
Bingley, R.Aire - 2 Goosander, Chiffchaff
East Riddlesden Hall - female Brambling

Shipley Glen
pair of Grey Wagtails,two pairs of Mallards and a pair of Moorhens
have established territory on the small lake. Chiffchaff in full song
and three Robins were seen fighting. Nuthatch called from three
locations and a Treecreeper was noted. Three pairs of Jays were
in full cry, two GSW were heard and three Redwing were feeding.

J Brownbridge, M Taunton, I Hargreaves, B Vickers, P King, H Doveston, P Cunningham

4th April 2007



Leeshaw Res
Common Scoter still present
10+ Redshank, Lapwings, Snipe, Curlew, Oystercatchers,
Canadas and Greylags, Grey Partridge, Grey Heron, etc
Buzzard passed overhead.

photo by I Hargreaves

Fly Flatts - 8 Twite, Skylarks and Mipits

Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits – 6-8 sand martins & Chiffchaffs

S Thomson, D Kidman

3rd April 2007

Glovershaw Area
No Wheatears yet. However, there is a lot of activity in the form of Curlews and Lapwings which have established territory. Four Snipe were seen and four Oystercatchers were feeding on the damp slopes inside the horse-training area. The Golden Plover flock has been reduced to 50 birds. Skylarks over the golf course and Meadow Pipits seemingly everywhere.

P King

Common Scoter, Twite at Leeshaw Res

Swallow & House Martin at Stockbridge

Whetstone & Bradup area

Three pairs of Stonechat with a 'spare' female as well, One towards the Bradup area with another pair near the quarry and a third pair with second female near W Gate.
Two Little Owls near the quarry. At last 4 Redshank at Bradup plus two Snipe


I Hargreaves, B Vickers, R Proctor

2nd April 2007

Trough Lane
Red grouse, Stonechat, 4 oystercatcher
5 mipits, 1 male Wheatear















photo Brian Vickers

6 Goldeneye Chelker Res

Undisclosed Site:
Buzzards, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Sand Martin

East Riddlesden Hall
5 Goosander and Kingfisher on R.Aire
2 Brambling, Chiffchaff


B Vickers, M Bell, H Doveston

Chiffchaff chiffchaff


photo by M Priestley

1st April 2007

Chelker Res
Little Grebe, 5 Oystercatcher, Curlews, Lapwings

A59 Skipton
2 LBBGulls, Curlews

Silsden Res - 6 Tufted Ducks

East Riddlesden Hall
2+Brambling, Mute Swan, BHGulls, Tufted Duck

Alder Carr Wood
male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Green Wdpkr, GSWdpkr, 2 Treecreeper
Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral

High Wood Farm - 2 Little Owl

Low Wood, Canalside, Riddlesden
5+Chiffchaff, Redpoll, 2 GSWdpkr

Fly Flatts
52 moving Woodpigs, 8 Twite on seed
1 Raven, 32 Canadas, 2 Greylag, 1m Pheasant
1m Reed Bunt.

Chiffchaffs at Raw Nook and 2 at Toad Holes Beck

Stockbridge -
3 Redshank, stayed and fed for some time,
5 Oystercatchers, Chiffchaff, L T T nest building, 2 Jays.
Butterflies - Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell & Speckled Wood

Buckwood/Denso Marsden Reserve
5 Chiffchaff, 4 Goosander (3m 1f), 8 long tailed tit

John O’Gaunts Reservoir
3 male teal, female goldeneye, 2 pairs tufted + 1 female,
2 great crested, 2 coots, 1 treecreeper

Members Only Res
Kestrel 4, Meadow Pipit 24 , Common Gull 33
Pied Wagtail 8, Wood Pigeon 26

Middleton Moor 3 Wheatear

Round Hill - 1 Wheatear

Beamsley Beacon - 2 Wheatear
Red Grouse, Curlew, Lapwings, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Kestrel

Trough Lane - 1 Wheatear


M&H Doveston, B Sumner, S Radcliffe,
M Priestley, D Halliday, J Flood, DCBarker
H Creber, J Stallworthy