January was another mild month with violent winds at the beginning and during the weekend of the 21st/22nd.

The heavy rain that accompanied these storms left huge lakes in the Cononley area which attracted an interesting collection of ducks and waders. By the 12th, Wigeon numbers had increased to over 200, there were six Gadwall and Lapwings peaked at 1400. Over 30 Pintail were feeding there on the 8th and two days later the number of Shoveler had increased to 17. At the end of the month, when water had accumulated once more, a Ruff was with the Lapwings nearer Keighley, at Silsden Floods, where there was also 14 Dunlin and almost 300 Golden Plover. These floods had attracted five Whooper Swans (5th), possibly the same party that turned up at Lower Laithe on the 10th, though the numbers there had doubled two days later. Two Whoopers also called in at Chelker Reservoir (13th).

A female Smew spent most of the early part of the month in the Otley area and good numbers of Wigeon were seen at Knotford and Lindley Wood Reservoir (14th). 34 Pink-footed Geese were in a roadside field at Redcar Tarn (7th) and numerous over-flying skeins were reported, during the second week of the month when the weather conditions had improved. On the 14th, over 450 Pink-footed Geese passed over Lower Laithe and an hour later, 250 flew very high over Bingley.

A Short-eared Owl was regularly seen hunting over Whetstone Allotment and two were seen over Lower Barden (12th). A Barn Owl was reported near Menston (14th), a pair of Buzzards passed over Baildon Moor (12th) and a pair of Ravens were over Bradup (30th).

At least seven Snow Buntings continued their stay on Soil Hill (6th) and a pair of Stonechat were noted in the Newsholme area (7th). A few Crossbills were seen at Timble, Stainburn and High Moor Plantation, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming in Shipley Glen and a Chiffchaff was spending another winter at Dowley Gap. 30 Redpoll and 10 Siskin descended on the feeders in a Riddlesden garden (31st) and four Brambling visited an Embsay garden.

After a wet start, January was fine and settled with long periods of pleasant sunshine and generally benign conditions. The Waxwing invasion continued with almost daily reports of flocks marauding around the area seeking out suitable food sources. In all, 21 flocks were noted ranging from just a handful to a magnificent 200 in an Eccleshill garden (9th). There appeared to be a regular presence in Ferncliffe Road, Bingley and throughout the Aire Valley but surprisingly, very few flocks were seen in Wharfedale. There were other highlights, the most notable being a Bittern at the private wetlands (2nd), a first winter Iceland Gull on Cullingworth fields (13th), an adult Mediterranean Gull amongst 1000 other Gulls a few days later (26th) and a Red Throated Diver seen struggling against the wind at Timble (15th).

A Hawfinch was seen in a tree top with other finches and Redwings behind the mansion at St. Ives (30th), a Great Grey Shrike was again seen in the Storiths area (14th) and also a little further north, around the Barden Scale watchpoint (20th). Two Marsh Tits were present in Scargill Plantation (23rd) and there was a surprise report of a Willow Tit at the private wetlands (2nd). A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were reported near Lady Blantyre’s Rock (12th) and a male was feeding with Long-tail Tits and Goldcrests in Shipley Glen (17th)

The passage of Pink-footed Geese commenced during the month when a flock of 130 flew over Glovershaw (9th) and a few days later seven skeins were noted over Ilkley Moor and Wharfedale(18th) followed at the end of the month with 67 over Queensbury (28th).

Brambling and Siskin were regular visitors to gardens, a Peregrine occupied a chimney ledge in Bingley (1st), but the most stunning views were of 5000 Starlings swirling into the roost in Keighley, being parted by the resident Peregrine (27th).

January was a cold month with snow and ice dominating the first two weeks of the new year. By the middle of the month a more settled weather pattern produced brighter conditions which were more conducive to winter birding. The main attention was, however, reserved for reedbeds close to frozen water where Water Rails, Woodcock, Snipe and the star bird, a visiting Bittern were located.

The Bittern was first seen at Otley Wetland Nature Reserve on the 10th when it flew out of a channel in the main reedbed. It was seen throughout the rest of the month, on one occasion flying into a nearby tree when it was disturbed (25th). Up to four Water Rails were also reported from these reedbeds and from Stockbridge where they regularly showed their skills on ice. Good numbers of Snipe were recorded at Caldene Fields and during a survey of the fields at Reva, 12 birds were flushed.

Peregrines were reported at two locations in Airedale and two Short-eared Owls from Wharfedale (24th), whilst a first-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen at close-quarters at Redcar Tarn (25th).

A Willow Tit, present during December, was still visiting an East Riddlesden garden. There were reports of a single Waxwings, west of Thornton (9th) and on the Grove at Ilkley (12th), but towards the end of the month a flock of 15 was seen emerging from mist on the farm at Marley. Brambling were again reported from a number of locations with singles seen at Riddlesden, Hewenden and a small flock of five at the feeding station at Otley Wetlands.

Wintering ducks were seen in reasonable numbers at Knotford Nook and Coningley Ings. There were 31 Wigeon on the fishing lake (29th) along with 22 Goldeneye, whereas, in the middle of the month 36 Wigeon and 68 Teal were countered on the Ings. Four Pochard and 16 Goosanders were using the boating lake at Yeadon (29th).

The biggest flocks of Fieldfare were seen in the fields by Shipley Glen (29th) and at Street Lane, East Morton (31st) where feeding parties were between 80 to 100. Stock Doves had congregated at Caldene Fields and above Sunnydale where 17 were seen feeding (31st).

At Stockbridge, 30 Siskin were on the reserve, with some males coming down to the willows in front of the hide to bathe (17th) and a flock of 30 Redpoll were feeding on Alder near Racecourse Plantation in St. Ives (8th). Ten Crossbills were reported from the Wharfe Valley (23rd) and up to 60 Pied Wagtails occupied the filter-beds at Dowley Gap.

January was generally a quiet month, it was enlivened only by a brief view of a visiting Rough-legged Buzzard over Barden Fell (6th), and the continued appearance of good numbers of Waxwings, seen at many different locations. Pink-footed Geese began their journey across the area and one or two Whooper Swans were seen on local lakes.

Waxwings were again seen in the Bingley, Crossflatts area, with a flock of 80 in a garden on Villa Road (3rd) and other groups were noted at Ferncliffe (10th) and Riddlesden (14th) and in south Bradford at Wyke (9th). On the 14th a flock of 80 had called at the B&Q car park in Keighley, and the following day up to 120 had moved onto Westburn Avenue. By the end of the month attention had switched to Wharfedale where 14 were at the private wetland site (24th) and on the last day of the month, 80 were feeding in Skipton Road, Ilkley.

An adult Whooper Swan and a juvenile were at Knotford Nook (1st) and on the following day a 1st year bird was on Swinsty Reservoir. The first reported skeins of Pink-footed Geese was reported on the 15th when a flock of about 100 passed over Shipley Glen. This was followed by a good movement on the 27th when a huge flock of 350 passed over Cottingley, and at the same time 100 flew west high over Cringles ((between Silsden & Addingham). Thirty minutes earlier 150 had passed down the Aire Valley.

39 Wigeon were seen at Knotford Nook (6th) and 12 Goldeneye at the nearby private wetland (8th). Tufted Duck and Pochard were reported, but only in very small numbers. 24 Teal were seen at Swinsty (2nd), and at a private lake in Wharfedale (6th). A Red-crested Pochard was on the lake in Nunroyd Park, Guiseley (20th).

At the private wetland site, a Green Sandpiper was flushed (18th) and a Little Egret was seen flying flew west (24th). On this day, Lapwing numbers had reached over 400 and at Glovershaw a flock of 42 Golden Plover had assembled (6th).

At Dowley Gap Sewage Works, a Chiffchaff was over-wintering, 53 Meadow Pipits occupied the filter-beds and two roosting Long-eared Owls could be seen at Snaygill near the Skipton.

January was generally a cloudy month with heavy rain during the first two weeks and strong winds and wintery weather at the end, making birding rather difficult.

However, there were one or two highlights, and pride of place must go to a Siberian White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), which could be seen in the Oxenhope area with a flock of Greylags, and also a Glaucous Gull which joined the ‘throng’ on Cullingworth Fields. The White-fronted Goose was present from the 6th to the 15th and the Glaucous Gull, first seen on the 8th, remained in the area for another two or three days. A male Scaup was present throughout the month at the private wetland site in Wharfedale and a Black-necked Grebe was reported from here on the 17th.

The flooded fields in the Aire Valley provided birders with the opportunity of seeing wintering ducks, and they were present in reasonable numbers during the first couple of weeks. Over 80 Teal were counted on the expanse of water at Cononley Ings (4th) and another 43 were seen further west on the flooded fields at Silsden. Two days later the number of Teal at Cononley had risen to 157. During the month a build-up of Wigeon took place on these fields and by the 27th, 48 had been identified. These ducks were also seen, but in much smaller numbers, at Redcar Tarn, Lindlley Reservoir, Knotford Nook and the private wetland in Wharfedale. Four Pintails were briefly present at Cononley (19th), but Shovelers stayed a bit longer with a maximum of seven noted on the 24th. Only very small numbers of Pochard were reported, with the red-crested species being seen on a few occasions at the private wetland site in Wharfedale. Goldeneye, although regularly seen around the area, were present in the largest number here and at Cononley, where 15 had gathered (23rd).

Big flocks of Lapwings gathered at Redcar Tarn, Cullingworth, in the Wharfe Valley, at Cononley Ings where over 700 were countered (4th), and at Denton Hall where up to a 1000 were present (27th). Two Redshanks were seen at Cononley Ings (6th), a female Shoveler was noted on Tong Park Lake (12th), as many as 12 Grey Herons were roosting in Shipley Glen and up to five Herring Gulls were amongst other gulls gathered on Cullingworth Fields. A nice flock of over 70 Siskins was reported from Caldene Fields (6th) and a Riddlesden garden was graced by the presence of two female Blackcaps (4th).

By the end of the month Pink-footed Geese were seen overhead, the 28th being an outstanding day with many members reporting skeins crossing the area from east to west. A skein of 300, seen in South Bradford, was also picked up over Cottingley, a skein of 110 was watched, at two points, moving down the Aire Valley and a third, of 130, was reported near Addingham.

January was again a very mild month, but with strong, and at times gale force winds dominating the weather until a short cold spell from the 21st onwards. This led to a quieter, milder period of pleasant temperatures at the month’s end.

The major interest was centred on the appearance of an American Robin, identified for the first time on the 23rd in a garden in Primrose Lane, Gilstead. It brought national attention to the BOG area and many hundreds of birders came from around the country to view a ‘first for Yorkshire’. This auspicious event was further enhanced by the presence of a wintering Firecrest at nearby Dowley Gap Sewage Works, the first such bird for four years. If this wasn’t enough to satisfy our lust for the exotic, there was a Shore Lark on Swales Moor Lane, Queensbury, a bird that was content to make an extended stay.

Brambling were seen in small numbers at a wide variety of places, but the highest counts were 20 at Redcar Lane Steeton (6th), 30 at Street Lane, Riddlesden (8th &16th), 17 at Bolton Abbey (16th) and 30 at Whitefield Farm, Steeton (20th). Very few flocks of Siskin were reported, with the best being over 100 birds in the area of Hirst Wood and Dowley Gap (1st). There was a flock of 60 at Stockbridge (7th) and a much smaller group of 20 near Tong Park Lake (14th).

Watching for wintering gulls can be most rewarding and those with an eye for the unusual were able to confirm an adult Mediterranean Gull on Cullingworth Fields at the beginning of the month. Also at this location were twelve Great Black-backed Gulls and three Herring Gulls of the genus agrentatus. There were a reported 800 Black-headed Gulls here on the 21st and over a 1000 on the flooded fields at Silsden on the same day.

Five Whooper Swans on Fly Flatts (5th) constituted the only report of wintering Swans, but Pink-footed Geese continued to attract attention as they flew in formation towards the north-west. Four skeins totalling over 800 graced the skies over Queensbury (14th), but the only bird seen on the ground was a single goose at Yeadon Tarn (12th).
l
Duck numbers were disappointing, with up to eight Pochards at Yeadon Tarn (22nd), and the best of the Tufted Ducks were 28 at Redcar Tarn (6th) and at Knotford Nook (3rd) and 24 at Otley Wetland (15th). Goldeneyes were seen in small numbers at a few places with Otley Wetland accommodating fifteen, mostly females birds (12th), and at nearby Knotford there were seven (3rd). Wigeon were present in small numbers at Knotford Nook, 16 on the 15th, there were also 18 at Cononley Ings (20th) and eight at Otley Wetland (15th). The highlights were undoubtedly seven Pintails on Silsden Reservoir (14th), three Gadwall at Knotford Nook (15th) and a male Shoveler on the lake at Tong Park (21st).

Goosanders were turning up on quite a few waterways and lakes, with perhaps the most notable being 18 on Wibsey Park Lake (21st). The swollen River Aire was making life hard for the local flock of Grey Herons with a high of 20 noted feeding and resting at the bottom of Shipley Glen (14th). Stockbridge held on to three Water Rails, and a Green Sandpiper visited the Reserve on the 3rd.

Winter Thrushes were frequently reported, but only in relatively small numbers, with about 100 Redwing seen at Knotford Nook (15th), Dowley Gap (6th) and Bolton Abbey (19th). A larger flock of 150 was in the John o’ Gaunts area (26th) together with approximately 50 Fieldfare which has been about the usual number for these birds excepting the 150 seen near Cringles on the 14th.

A few members have reported wintering Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs and there has been the regular sighting of a Jack Snipe on Soil Hill (16th). Reported only to Bird Guides, a Leach's Petrel seen at Fewston on the 3rd seems a bit implausible, but then, who would have imagined an American Robin in Bingley!

January was a fairly mild, dry month with very little precipitation and some night frost. There were no major storms and winds were generally light.

Small flocks of Waxwings were seen along the by-pass at Burley-in-Wharfedale, where they stayed for most of the month. An Eldwick garden had 18 gorging on a decorative shrub (12th&13th) and at Salts Mill a member saw a flock of 40 (11th). Duck numbers were generally modest with 20 Goldeneye and 31 Tufted at Knotford (2nd) and similar numbers at Otley Wetland. A pair of Gadwall was at Knotford on the 4th where Tufted Duck numbers had risen to 62. The female Scaup, first seen during December at Otley Wetland had moved onto Knotford (4th). Approximately 400 to 500 Lapwings were noted at Bowling Back Lane near Wakefield Road, Bradford on the 16th, with 120 at Redcar Tarn.

Nine Oystercatchers had returned to the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey (19th) and Curlew numbers at Denton were beginning to grow with 50 there on the 29th. 230 Pink-footed Geese, in three groups, passed over Barden on the 12th, 80 passed over Knotford on the 18th and the next day 60 were seen flying west over Oxenhope. On the 22nd 450 passed over Wilsden in three skeins. Nine Goosanders on the River Aire (15th) were possibly the same birds that were seen coming into roost on Graincliffe Reservoir four days later. Red Kites were regularly seen within the Wharfe and Washburn Valleys and a count of seven buzzards was registered on the 22nd from the Barden watchpoint.

Over 3000 gulls (50/50 Black-headed and Common) had assembled to roost at Birdholme (28th). Crossbills were present in small numbers within Timble Forest and at the north end of Fewston Reservoir. The largest number of visiting Snow Buntings was seen on Soil Hill (14th) where eight were recorded. Good flocks of Siskin and small numbers Redpoll were reported from around the area, and a high of 300 Fieldfare in Birch Close (14th) and 80 Redwing were noted in the fields around Shipley Glen.

Two Water Rails were regularly seen and even photographed at Stockbridge and Three Woodcocks were counted at Timble (1st and 28th). A Greater Black-backed Gull was on the wet area below Dick Hudson’s (2nd) and two Dippers were seen on the River Aire (15th) at Myrtle Park. The elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was watched at Bolton Bridge on the 18th, where a member was lucky to see two birds. Other unusual reports featured a Ring-necked Parakeet in Shipley (2nd), a Water Pipit at Marley Sewage Works (22nd) and a Peregrine Falcon, which flying over the Keighley by-pass (24th). A female Blackcap was regularly appearing in Shaun’s garden at Crossflatts, feeding on the rotting apples he left for it.
A Song Thrush was singing at Stockbridge on the 22nd, Goldeneyes were displaying at Knotford and a Bar-tailed Godwit was negotiating the fog at Otley Wetland on the 22nd.

January was a mild, dry month, noteworthy for three storms, with very strong winds in the early part of the month.

It was a quiet month for the range and number of birds noted, although two exotic species were reported, a Ringed Teal on the canal at Bingley (1st) and an unidentified falcon with jesses, furiously attacking pigeons over Westgate, Bradford Centre. The numbers of Mandarins at the Strid reached 45 (20 male and 25 female) on the 4th and thereafter they began to show signs of dispersing. A female Hawfinch was again reported from Timble North during the early part of the month and Waxwings were still with us, moving more into the City Centre, with 230 in Little Horton Lane (13th) and 70 on Leeds Road, Windhill (18th).

Only small numbers of wintering passerines were reported, with up to 120 Siskin in the Wharfe Valley, 30 Brambling on Otley Chevin and 120 Redpoll at Beaverdyke. Birds at roost or heading into a roost proved to be most interesting, with twenty Grey Heron by the Aire at Hirstwood, 4800 Redwing moving into Grange Plantation at Kildwick, 40 Waxwing in Sandwith Moor Plantation and 24 Reed Bunting at Stockbridge.Pink-footed Geese were on the move throughout January, from the Thornton Moor observation point, 2370 were recorded in twelve skeins between 11.15 and 12.15 on the 16th. Also on this day, Buzzard numbers were impressive too, from the watch-point at Barden, a high of fourteen was recorded.

A first winter Scaup made an appearance at Otley Wetlands on the 1st. and stayed a few days. A Bean Goose was on Leeshaw Reservoir (9th) and Soil Hill again produced a Jack Snipe and a Snow Bunting (13th). Flocks of Bullfinch were reported from Fewston with a high of least ten (31st), two groups of five were seen in gardens in Baildon and Cullingworth. The anticipated influx of Yellowhammer had started with seven birds near Weecha Reservoir (12th). The elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported from the west side of Shipley Glen (10th) and an early sign of spring with two Dippers singing on Goit Stock, Harden (19th).