August was a disappointingly cool, cloudy month with just a few birding highlights. On the 4th, a Black Stork was seen just outside the area circling over Mixenden. The birder involved made notes and sketches and watched as it moved north in the direction of Ogden Reservoir. The Little Egret, that had been present during July, was again seen and photographed at John o’Gaunt’s where six Greenshank were also feeding (2nd). A Greenshank was present at Warley Moor Reservoir from the 21st to 25th where, a few days later, a Grey Plover was seen flying low over the water (29th). A Common Scoter was a surprise bird here on the 12th and a pair of Egyptian Geese at Redcar Tarn (27th).

At Barden, the watchers were rewarded with excellent sightings of an Osprey which showed very well during a four hour period, finally circling with a fish, which it flew around with for at least 20 minutes (15th). It was probably this bird that had been seen a few days earlier, and it was again in action when it went right over the observers chased by a Peregrine (21st). Amongst an eclectic mix of birds of prey, Hobby was seen here during this period and there were good views of a juvenile female Merlin (21st). Further afield, Buzzards were again recorded in the Aire Valley and South Bradford and Red Kites were regularly seen over Baildon Moor and Hawksworth.

Little Owls were seen with young at Sconce Lane (17th), Bradup (22nd) and at Leeshaw where a post-breeding flock of 30 Linnets were feeding (13th). Mistle Thrush were also gathering in large numbers, with 56 over Caldene Fields and a smaller, but still significant flock of 30, at Bingley North Bog on the same day (26th). Juvenile Whitethroats were seen at Stockbridge and at Glovershaw where a couple of young Stonechats (30th) were nearby, the only other report of this species being a family at Whetstone Gate (22nd).

Nearly 100 Wheatears were recorded during the month from Glovershaw, Nab Water Lane and Fly Flatts, where an observer reported a brightly coloured, large bruiser of a bird of the Greenland species (29th).
Sometimes the Wheaters were accompanied by Whinchats and their passage was noted on six occasions with two family groups seen at Glovershaw towards the end of the month.

Denholme Clough was obviously the place to see passerines moving through the area. From the 21st onwards members recorded Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher and large numbers of Chiffchaff with an incredible 43 on the 26th.

The weather during August was generally disappointing with a westerly airflow present throughout. This brought frequent showers and a lot of blustery conditions.

A member saw a Black Redstart at Birch Close Lane (2nd) and the next day another was at Addingham Moorside by an old wooden storage barn (very French!). Two Marsh Tit were at Scargill Pantation (18th) and a Wood Sandpiper was reported in the Skipton area (subject to a description) (28th). A cream-crowned Marsh Harrier was observed at Draughton Heights (13th), a Little Egret flew down the Wharfe Valley (14th) and a Green Sandpiper flew over Sconce Lane (26th). Three Shelduck settled on Warley Moor Reservoir (31st), two Ringed Plovers were at Leeshaw (21st) and Yellow-legged Gull and Mediterranean Gull were again reported from the moorland watch-point (10th)

The passage of birds was noted at our regular prime spots with Wheatear, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart seen through the period. Over 120 Wheatears were reported, with Trough Lane, Nab Water Lane and Glovershaw being the spots where most were seen. Whinchats appeared to have faired well with over 20 noted on passage. Most were seen at Glovershaw, where, unfortunately, a Kestrel was seen to swoop and take one of three juveniles (31st). However, Stonechat were not as numerous with only a few reports, the best of which were four on Whetstone Allotments (24th) and five on Barden Moor (11th).

A Sedge Warbler was at last seen at Stockbridge after being absent over much of the summer, and a Reed Warbler was often recorded here. Whitethroat bred successfully on the Reserve and a few others were seen around the moorland fringes at Baildon, Whetstone Allotments and Weecher. A Grasshopper Warbler was seen at close quarters on Otley Chevin and a juvenile Garden Warbler was in trees near Weecher Reservoir (9th).

Spotted Flycatcher were reported from a variety of locations, with Glovershaw, Sconce Lane and High Plantation being the most likely places and Redstarts were also seen here and at John o’ Gaunt’s and the Washburn Valley where a family group of six were noted.

Grey Partridge have had a successful season, particularly around Baildon Moor where flocks of up 16 birds were regularly seen. Juvenile Peregrines, Ravens and Kestrels were reported and good numbers of young Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch and flock of over 50 Goldfinch on Birch Close Lane (25th) pointed to some success amongst our regular birds.

A low pressure system was positioned in mid Atlantic throughout the month and it was responsible for feeding a westerly air-stream across the British Isles. This brought changeable weather, often with strong winds and frequently heavy showers.

Ospreys were seen passing through Embsay (9th), the Skipton area (13th), over Fewston Reservoir (18th) and at Timble (30th), where a bird was chased by a Peregrine. Other Peregrine activity involved a bird shadowing migrating Swallows before a Sparrowhawk intervened. A Marsh Harrier was present for a few days at the beginning of the month on Embsay Moor and there were sightings of two juvenile birds at the watch-point at Barden (10th & 19th). The undoubted highlight of the month was the sighting of Common Buzzards passing over Sandwith Moor on 30th. The observers reported 19 birds, the biggest groups being eight and six, all but two heading towards the south-west.

Wheatears were reported from the usual vantage points with over 130 recorded during the month. There appeared to be a peak early in the month with up to 11 seen at Nab Water Lane (13th), at the end of the month 24 birds had been recorded in a three day period at Glovershaw. The presence of migrating Whinchats was also well reported with family parties noted at Glovershaw, Whetstone Gate and Trough Lane, whilst there appears to be a dearth of Stonechats, an exception was six birds on the Whetstone Allotment (17th), a single at Trough Lane and a juvenile at Glovershaw (30th). Spotted Flycatcher was another species that has been reported in small numbers, there was a pair at Apperley Bridge (23rd) and single birds at Shipley Glen (11th), Barden (12th), the Member’s Only Reserve (22nd), Denholme Clough (23rd) and Paul Clough (30th) with a juvenile at John o’ Gaunt’s (3rd). On the 19th, a male Yellowhammer was seen carrying food to a nest site on the bank above Shipley Glen.

A Willow Tit was seen throughout the month at East Riddlesden where it visited feeders and provided observers with excellent views. Over 50 Crossbills were seen on a few occasions at the Swinsty car park and a much smaller flock was noted in St. Ives. Three Common Terns spent an afternoon at Yeadon Tarn (3rd) and, at about the same time, a similar number were at Otley Wetland. A week later, another flew over Yeadon Tarn and a Sandwich Tern passed the moorland watch-point (23rd). Seven Shelducks visited Fly Flatts (17th) and in other well-watched areas of the south, Tree Pipits, in good numbers, and a couple of Yellow Wagtails, were noted as they headed away from the region.

Migration watchers also reported a build up of Meadow Pipits with over 1000 passing the moorland site (30th), similarly Black-headed Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen in high numbers at various times and a Mediterranean Gull was present on Lower Laithe Reservoir (4th).

Exotic birds of the month included an Australian Wood Duck on the canal at Dowley Gap and further along at Saltaire, a female Mandarin.

August was a very wet month, it probably rained within every twenty-four period and this bad weather seriously affected the movement of birds in what is the start of migration. With so much lying water across the low ground, there were some reports of waders, particularly in the Aire Valley around Snaygill and Cononley Ings. Three Green Sandpipers were located at the former (8th) and two at the latter location (15th), a single at Leeshaw (8th), and another earlier at Scargill Reservoir (1st). A Redshank was noted at the moorland watch-point (3rd), three at Scargill Reservoir (8th), three at Cononley Ings (15th), a Greenshank, and a group of six Ringed Plovers at the moorland watch-point (24th). On this date, three Dunlin (24th) were present here, two days earlier there were two at Snaygill Ings and on the previous day (21st), two Black-tailed Godwits were feeding on Silsden Reservoir. A Grey Plover was the only other wader of note being reported form the moorland watch-point (17th). On the same day an Arctic Tern was observed fishing in Lindley Reservoir. On the 9th, at Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits, a Little Egret was seen heading towards Otley.

At least 3 cream-crowned Marsh Harriers, possibly four, passed through the Wharfe Valley (25th) another was seen here earlier in the month whilst a single bird was located in the south of the region at Leeshaw (8th). An adult Osprey was also seen in the Wharfe Valley (29th) and a Hobby went through Snaygill Ings (15th). A pair of Sparrowhawks, with juveniles was a highlight at St. Ives (11th), whilst an adult was seen being ‘mobbed’ by Kestrels at Bradup (15th) and similarly, a gathering of 80 Swallows were performing the same act on a bird over Glovershaw (30th).Wheatear migration was underway but only with limited numbers noted. A total of 136 were recorded at the following places: the moorland watch-point, Hazelwood Moor, Fly Flatts, Glovershaw, Trough Lane, Leeshaw and Nab Water Lane, Oxenhope with the largest aggregate of 70 birds. The passage of Whinchats was rather slow and intermittent, but Whetstone Gate, Nab Water Lane, Trough Lane and Glovershaw produced singles or pairs. Breeding Stonechats, with juveniles were seen throughout the month alongside the Glen Road at Glovershaw and at Bradup.The only visiting Gull of note was an adult Yellow Legged Gull, seen resting in a field with LBB gulls, near Cullingworth (2nd). The last great movement of Swifts took place on the 11th when observers at Stockbridge and Glovershaw reported birds passing at a rate of about 50 per hour. Yellow Wagtails moving south were once more seen at the moorland watch-point (23rd) and at Marley Playing Fields (30th).

Small numbers of Sedge Warblers were reported from Skipton Sewage Works, Snaygill Ings and Whitethroats were present at Stockbridge and a single at Glovershaw. Whilst towards the end of the month, a Spotted Flycatcher was seen here and at Marley Playing Fields. Glovershaw also provided the only recorded sightings of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (5th), a Short-eared Owl (22nd), and a family of eight Grey Partridges were flushed from the long grass (23rd). It was also in this area that the ripened berries of Rowan trees attracted a flock of up to 20 Mistle Thrush, whilst at least three Green Woodpeckers were actively feeding and moving around Shipley Glen.

August was a mainly dry month with a slightly unsettled period during the second and third weeks. Any rain that did fall, on the fairly saturated ground, produced some flooded areas, particularly around Silsden and Cononley and this encouraged a few waders. Elsewhere, the water levels remained very high and waders were scarcely seen. A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was seen at Silsden Floods (2nd) and a Green Sandpiper flew over the Stockbridge Reserve on the 26th. Juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were present at Thornton Moor Reservoir (11th) and Cononley Ings (19th) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was noted at the former (15th). Seven Common Scoters were seen on Thornton Moor Reservoir early in the month (6th).

Observing Wheatears, again proved to be profitable with good numbers seen on return migration. Reports were received from many of the usual spots including Trough Lane, Thornton Moor Reservoir, Fly Flatts, Nab Water Lane, Whetstone Gate, Bradup and Glovershaw. Up to 200 had been reported throughout the month with the most remarkable being a count of 31 at Fly Flatts on the 14th. Stonechats and Whinchats have also been much in evidence with records of them appearing in a variety of places. Adult Stonechats, feeding recently fledged juveniles, were seen on various occasions, throughout the month, at Nab Water Lane, Whetstone Allotment and Glovershaw. Whinchats were seen in similar family flocks at Nab Water Lane, Soil Hill, Fly Flatts, Trough Lane, Glovershaw and Whetstone Area. Two Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit were trapped and ringed at Kex Gill (24th), and two Crossbills were reported from Timble.Ospreys were again sighted as they flew south through our area, with reports of two birds passing through Oxenhope (3rd) and singles over Lower Barden, where one was present for two days (23rd and 24th). Other birds on migration included Spotted Flycatcher which passed through Paul Clough, where a family party of six birds were seen (10th).There were only a few interesting visitors during the month, but pride of place must go to an adult Black Redstart that appeared on Soil Hill towards the end of the month. A Hobby was seen ‘hawking’ for insects near the dis-used reservoir in St. Ives (27th) and other reports of these exciting birds came from Wharfedale (2nd, 20th and 25th). A juvenile Marsh Harrier passed over Barden Scale on the 29th and Short-eared Owls were seen on Soil Hill and at Thornton Moor.

The most intriguing sightings concerned a juvenile Long-eared Owl in St. Ives near Lady Blantyre's Rock (22nd) and two juvenile Sedge Warblers, obviously on passage, seen in one of the few bushes on Soil Hill (28th). The regulars at Stockbridge Reserve were pleased to report breeding Reed Warblers which successfully raised two young birds.

The weather during August was disappointing, after the very high temperatures of July we were subjected to long unsettled periods, with heavy downpours, cooler temperatures, and strong north and north-westerly breezes.

Despite the relatively poor weather, members’ attention was focused on the changing conditions and any signs of reverse-migration. These were most apparent with the movement of post-breeding summer migrants at reliable sites such as our moorland watch-point, Barden Scale, Glovershaw, Paul Clough and Fly Flats. There was also the additional incentive to spot a rare passage gull or wader on the fields around Cullingworth, on the exposed mud at the moorland watch-point, or Otley Wetland Nature ReserveOn the 1st of the month an adult Turnstone in full summer plumage was at the moorland watch-point together with a juvenile Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers and two Yellow-legged Gulls. These latter Gulls were present for the first week of August occasionally joined by a Mediterranean Gull. On the 4th, four Dunlins were seen there, on the 6th two Whimbrels passed through and the next day a Little Ringed Plover. Visitors to the moorland site on the 14th included nine Ringed Plovers and on the 21st eighteen Shelduck and a female Red-brested Merganser. On the 20th a Green Sandpiper was briefly at Stockbridge, two Greenshanks were at Lindley Woods Reservoir (20th), and four Black-tailed Godwits were on the exposed mud at John o’ Gaunts (12th).Wheatears were probably the most prominent amongst the passage migrants with sightings from a variety of places. Over 80 of these birds were reported to the website with a high of nine at Glovershaw and Trough Lane (28th) and good numbers at Birch Close Lane, Nab Water Lane and Keighley Moor. Stonechats and Whinchats were also leaving their breeding areas and passing along moorland fringes. Quiet high counts of these birds were seen, particularly at Glovershaw where separate family parties of six and five Stonechats were noted (24th), and five Whinchats were using the field alongside the Glen Road. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers stayed around Golcar Farm, Glovershaw for most of the month and nine of these birds passed through Paul Clough (25th). The movement of Tree Pipits was noted with sightings of five at Denholme Clough and the same number at the moorland watch-point (26th). Raptor watchers reported two sightings of Marsh Harrier (4th and 25th) and an Osprey (25th), with good numbers of Buzzards, Red Kites and a solitary Hobby (6th).

Of other interesting reports there was a Black Redstart (4th), and Yellow Wagtail (26th) at the moorland watch-point, and on the 4th a Willow Tit was caught and ringed at Otley Wetland, and on the 11th a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen at Hirst Wood.

At Thornton Moor Watchpoint, both Common and Arctic Terns (1st) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were seen. At Barden a flock of 35 Common Scoter passed through and an Osprey made one of the many appearances during the first few days of August. Crossbills were recorded at Timble (2nd). A Common Tern was recorded passing through Shipley (3rd) and on the next day the first of this year’s migrants were at Fly Flatts with two young Wheatears birds being seen. More young Wheatears were seen at Intake Gate and Hawksworth Moor (6th) and four were in the vicinity of Fly Flatts (9th). A Grasshopper Warbler was singing in tall grass on the north side of Doe Park Reservoir (5th). By the 6th, Swifts were moving SW in good numbers, passing Thornton Moor at the rate of over 100 per hour. Paul Clough is a good place to watch for migrating birds with some interesting reports including six Spotted Flycatchers (8th) and up to twelve Willow Warblers (9th). There was a Greenshank and a Ringed Plover and up to seven Snipe stayed for a few days at Thornton Moor (9th). Redstarts have been hard to find this summer but a nice male was on show at Beaverdyke Reservoir (15th).

A Hybrid Garganey had been present at Otley Wetlands since the 18th, a Yellow-legged Gull and two Yellow Wagtails were seen there on the 21st and an Osprey went through the Wharfe Valley on that day. The Otley Reserve was well watched at this time as members recorded four Whimbrel on the 22n, a juvenile Caspian Gull (23rd), an adult Mediterranean Gull (24th), five Ringed Plovers and five Dunlin (25th). On the 23rd a Common Buzzard was seen from Thornton Village. Wheatears continued to be seen throughout the area, with a high of twelve at Trough Lane along with three Whinchat (25th).

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen throughout the summer at Stockbridge and was again present on the 27th. A Swift was also recorded there and the following day a Whimbrel flew over Harden village calling as it headed south.