The weather during October was relatively settled and mild. The birding highlights included the expected arrival of ‘winter thrushes’, and this year the patient observers were not disappointed as as ‘wave after wave of biblical proportions’ swept through the region on the 13th. During this epic day, at the Oxenhope view-point, over 17,000 birds in the ratio of 70 Fieldfare to 30 Redwing were recorded and to add to this, in South Bradford, 8,000 more passed over. Mingling with them were other migrants including Swallows and a superb Goshawk. The following day, a phenomenal 29,000 Redwing were countered at Caldene Fields and sizable flocks of feeding birds were beginning to appear at many locations. A mass, westward movement of Starling took place on the 24th.

A skein of Pink-footed Geese and one of Brent Geese passed over Caldene Fields on the same day as the massive movement of Redwing (14th) and on the following day, more Pinks went along the Aire Valley. Three Whoopers passed NW over the Oxenhope view-point (20th) and the following day, five were seen on nearby Ogden Water.

Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbill and Bramblings were all reported and there were 19 Twite at the Fly Flatts feeding station, including just one colour ringed bird (3rd). A Willow Tit was on the feeders at the private Wetland site and Wheatears straggled through until the third week of the month, with the latest being recorded at Glovershaw (24th).

A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting over Baildon Moor (13th & 14th), and a female Marsh Harrier passed over Denholme Clough (13th).

At Ruff spent a few days at Cononley Ings (15th to 17th) where 150 Teal, 73 Wigeon and a Pintail were feeding. By the 17th, the Lapwing flock had grown to 1400 at this location. In Strid Wood, the Mandarin total had climbed to 38 (28th) and at Denton Hall the number of Curlew stood at 260 (26th).

At Cullingworth Fields an adult Yellow-legged Gull, as well as a 2nd-winter bird were present (22nd) and in the roost amongst 1300 Black-headed Gulls, at the members’ only reservoir, an adult Mediterranean Gull (21st).

A Black Swan appeared in Low Moor and confusion reined over the identification of a Dipper, seen regularly at Charlestown, Baildon which appeared to have a hint of a ‘black belly’!

A fairly dry, mild October produced lots of interest for the local birder with a strong passage of Pink-footed Geese, Thrushes, some wintering passerines and at the end of the month, lots of Waxwings.

Pink-footed Geese began their flights across the region from the 6th with three closely spaced skeins, the biggest about 140 and they continued to attract attention until the end of the month.

The major movement of Fieldfare started before sunrise on the 20th with several high flocks flooding out of the valleys, along the ridges, the majority of which were tightly streamed by the topography as they followed the same track, time after time. At the Oxenhope watch-point, over 6500 passed through and a similar number was recorded in the Skipton area. Over the next few days, the spectacle was repeated with numerous flocks flooding over the moorland and along the valleys and at Timble about a 1000 were finding a place to roost (31st). Redwings had arrived much earlier with over 3700 over Stainburn (9th) in flocks of up to 400.

Late passage birds included a Wheatear and a Stonechat at Glovershaw (4th), a Ring Ouzel moving through with Swallows at Oxenhope watch-point (4th) and another a few days later. It was on this date that the reporter heard the musical call of a Wood Lark (10th) and exactly a week later, a Yellowhammer went by and previously, four Twite flew over Caldene Fields (5th). Of further interest, a Reed Warbler was still present at Stockbridge (3rd), whilst a Common Crane flew over Silsden (2nd).

The Waxwing invasion began on the 24th with 50 birds seen in the Wharfe Valley. There were further reports during the next week from a wide variety of locations in Crossflatts, Baildon, Ilkley and Keighley with a high of 82 in trees in Ben Rhydding (31st).

More winter harbingers were in the form of three Whooper Swans at Lower Laithe (21st), a gathering of 480 Curlew at Ben Rhydding, flocks of Crossbills, Siskin, Redpoll and regular reports of Brambling, Snow and Lapland Bunting. Of the latter three species, a very strong party of 15 Brambling passed very close to observers at Oxenhope (17th), Snow Buntings were noted in flight from the watch-points and on the ground at Soil Hill (23rd) and the occasional Lapland continued the amazing recent passage of this species.

With Merlins seen following the passerine movement (2nd), Red Kites over west Bradford and two reports of Hen Harriers this was an eventful and action-packed month.

The weather during October was generally mild and settled, just the right conditions for a good migration and so it proved with reports of large numbers of moving birds from the main watch-points. The major action was compressed into the final week of the month with significant movements of birds across the area.

Redwing passage had been underway from the start of the month, it all peaked when over 3500 passed Caldene Fields (13th) and another 3770 at the Oxenhope view-point. Bird Guides reported that 30000 Redwings had passed Sandy Pinacle This was a big arrival from Norway moving directly inland. Fieldfare numbers increased spectacularly with over 3500 recorded at Stainburn Moor (28th), and within a two hour period, 6000 passed the Oxenhope watch-point on the same day. These were frantic times with observers reporting massive movements. In a 20 minute period at Caldene Fields, 954 Redwing were counted and up at Oxenhope 14000 birds passed in five hours (29th).

On the final day of the month a wave of Starlings passed through with 4265 recorded at the Oxenhope and over 3000 at Caldene Fields in the south. On 27th a massive flock of 7000 were feeding on Stainburn Moor. At the same time 5700 Wood Pigeons were recorded at Stainburn (27th), and two days later, there were 2000 passing Caldene Fields, 2600 at Stainburn (29th), and a peak of 7500 at Oxenhope.

Pink-footed Geese moved in high numbers from east to west on the 29th, with 879 over Caldene Fields and 1945 over the Oxenhope watch-point.

A significant movement of Greenfinch was recorded earlier in the month with a high of over 210 at Caldene Fields (4th). It was here that 44 House Martins went by, as did a few Swallows, but the latest of these was a bird through the Wharfe Valley on 27th.

Snipe were seen in good numbers at the Oxenhope watch-point with a site record 61 passing through (10th) and 20 were flushed at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir (9th). A Jack Snipe was noted at Cladene Fields (30th) and although Water Rail are always present at Stockbridge, one seen ‘pottering’ around Morrison’s Car Park at Girlington (15th), has to be the surprise of the month. 300 Golden Plovers were feeding in what is now a traditional area near Caldene Fields (11th) and 1200 more had gathered on Stainburn Moor (29th). At Nearby Scargill Reservoir a Green Sandpiper was in the outflow.

Seven Whooper Swans were on Lower Laithe Reservoir (24th), another was seen at Skipton (29th) and three were observed during migration watch over Oxenhope (27th). Two female Goldeneye were reported at Stockbridge (24th), 14 Mandarins were at Strid Wood (23rd), five Shelduck passed Caldene Fields (23rd) and five Pintail were seen at the Oxenhope watch-point (10th).
Stonechats were reported from a few locations with eight moving through Glovershaw (8th) and another five on 31st. A Wheatear was near Shipley Glen (16th), three Yellowhammers and a flock of 46 Redpoll passed observers at Stainburn (27th) and a Marsh Tit was in the wood by Beaver Dyke Reservoir (18th). Redpoll, Siskin and Crossbills were noted at Timble and a Lapland Bunting flew over on 13th whilst there were reports of a few Brambling from watch-points in the south.

A two-barred Crossbill visited an Oakworth garden on 29th, it stayed long enough to be identified and photographed before it was taken by the local Sparrowhawk. This is believed to be the first time one of these northern Russian species has been seen in Yorkshire. Otherwise, it was a typical October with an influx of visitors in the form of winter thrushes, small numbers of Whooper Swans and the passage of Pink-footed Geese and Wood Pigeons.

The mass invasion of Redwings and Fieldfares reached its high point on the 18th when over 15 000 of the former were counted flying west and south-westwards, at the moorland watch-point, Paul Clough, Cladene Fields and Ogden. Fieldfares, in smaller numbers, were seen more frequently as the month went by with 1100 over Caldene Fields (29th).

Whooper Swans were first seen in the south of the area when a flock of eight birds crossed Paul Clough (8th) and the moorland watch-point. Later in the month, two dropped into Doe Park whilst another couple were on Chelker Reservoir (both 19th) and at the month end, four adults and two immatures were seen on Cononley Ings (29th). Pink-footed Geese moved generally eastwards throughout the month with skeins was seen on the 1st, 17th, 18th, 23rd and 28th. The autumn movement of Wood Pigeons was also witnessed around the area with an impressive total of over 15 000 passing Caldene Fields on the 28th and 29th.

Two Ring Ouzels spent a couple of days in Paul Clough (2nd & 3rd), a Rock Pipit was feeding at the moorland watch-point (7th) and two Tree Sparrows spent time at the feeders on the Stockbridge Reserve (11th). Redpolls and Siskins were reported in small flocks from a number of sites mainly from the south of the area and family groups of Stonechats continued their passage over the moorland fringes with regular reported sightings. A Snow Bunting flew over the moorland watch-point (3rd), two Brambling were seen in Denholme Clough (12th) and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was feeding at Crook Farm, Baildon (28th).

Water Rails returned to Stockbridge on the 2nd and the expected arrival of ducks was witnessed by reports of small numbers of Wigeon at Lindley Wood (1st), Knotford Nook, Otley Wetland (9th) where Goldeneye were present (29th). Mandarin numbers were increasing at Bolton Abbey, a Merlin flew through Stockbridge Reserve (19th) and the last remnants of summer were reported in the form of a few Swallows and House Martins lingering on to the end of the month.

October was a very dry, sunny and relatively mild month. Conditions were excellent for autumn watching and the birds didn’t disappoint. The major highlight was a Great Grey Shrike which stayed around the boating lake area at Otley Wetland from the 9th to 13th. Of course, rarities bring birders out in numbers and true to form other interesting birds were seen in this area during this time, included a Barn Owl (10th), Red-crested Pochard, Whooper Swan and a Grey Plover.

Ospreys were seen early in month at Draughton Heights (1st) and Chelker Reservoir (3rd) and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier was observed from our watch-point in Wharfedale (17th). Eight Red Kites in the sky at the same time (5th), seen at this location, amply demonstrates the successful re-introduction of these birds to the area. During the middle of the month a first-winter Red Kite with two green tags from the Dumfries area was identified. Merlins were reported by three observers and a Peregrine had moved into Wharfedale at the end of the month.

On the 14th, over 1500 Pink-footed Geese were recorded passing over the area, mostly from west to east in large skeins of up to 300 birds. Seven Whooper Swans were noted at the moorland watch-point (19th) in addition to other sightings at Otley Wetland and Leeshaw (20th). At our moorland watch-point, a Goosander roost of 73 was recorded (6th) and a Barnacle Goose visited Leeshaw (21st).

Visible migration watchers recorded some spectacular flocks, particularly in the south of the region. Up to 3000 Meadow Pipits were counted, with a high of 771 (6th) at the moorland watch-point, 5500 Wood Pigeons, the highest count at Caldene Fields 1579 (30th) and a total of over 8400 relocating Starlings from a variety of sites.

Winter thrushes moved into the area in large numbers during the month, over 10 000 Fieldfares being reported, with the greatest number 3000, at the moorland watch-point (19th). Redwings were similarly evident, a total of over 3500 passing through, with the high point at around the same time.

The final Wheatear was recorded at the moorland watch-point (15th) and a few Ring Ouzels were seen here early in the month, with a final sighting of a single bird at Oldfield Lane (21st). Stonechats continued to be reported from moorland areas and Twite were prominent at the feeding site at Fly Flatts.

Crossbills, mainly at Timble Ings, where over 30 were regularly seen, and occasionally Redpolls and Siskins, the latter being more widely distributed, kept birders alert during the good weather. Other passerines relocating included high numbers of Chaffinches and Greenfinches passing our watch-points, and 50 Skylarks were seen grounded on Norr Hill, Wilsden (2nd).

Two Water Rails had returned to Stockbridge by the 14th and up to 60 Mandarin Ducks were counted in Strid Wood and over 400 Golden Plovers were seen near Tong Street, Bradford (21st). Other highlights included a Green Sandpiper making a brief visit to Stockbridge (21st), a Rock Pipit and Grey Plover at the moorland watch-point (5th) and the welcome site of a ring-tailed Hen Harrier over the moorland of Wharfedale (17th).

October was another mild month with some unusually warm days and average rainfall.

Autumn migration continued apace, but there were few rarities, attention was taken by a single Black Redstart at the moorland watch-point (1st), a Willow Tit was at nearby Denholme Clough for most of the month and a Dartford Warbler was recorded at Lippersley Pike, Timble (13th to 15th). A Grey Plover was at Denholme Clough (2nd) and another was seen over Timble Ings (18th). A late Swallow passed the moorland watch-point on the 29th and two House Martins were seen over Denolme Clough (24th). The passage of Wheatears was noted at many places including the moorland watch-point (1st), Caldene Fields (1st), Sandwith Moor (2nd) and Glovershaw (9th).Birds of prey reported within the area included Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Merlin, Pergerine and Red Kite.

Members reported a good influx of Brambling, Redpoll and Siskin and winter Thrushes were seen in increasingly large numbers with 2800 Redwing and 770 Fieldfare passing observers at Paul Clough (27th). It’s early days for Golden Plover, but signs were good, with reports of small flocks at Chelker (25th) and Denolme Clough (23rd). 800 Pink-footed Geese flew over Caldene Fields (9th) and at this site three Shoveler appeared on the 18th.

Two Whooper Swans were using the reservoir at Fly Flatts (24th) and a male Scoter was seen on Thruscross Reservoir (8th).

October was a very mild month with temperatures mostly above average with 70 degrees being recorded on 27th. Precipitation was relatively low until the wind changed to a westerly direction in the latter half of the month and the rainfall increased accordingly.

It was a month with a reasonable selection of species, evidence of winter visitors, and considerable numbers of more common species on migration.

Meadow Pipits continued to pour through the watch-points with nearly 1900 on the 2nd but this tailed off significantly towards the middle of the month. A movement of passerines resulted in 63 Siskin being noted at Paul Clough along with 268 Chaffinch and 150 Redpoll on the 2nd as 82 Swallows also passed through TMR, with the last one recorded on the 11th. On this day a Grey Plover and Red-throated Diver were seen passing over Denholme Clough as small flocks of Mistle Thrush began to establish a presence at various locations. Single records of Chiffchaff and Blackcap were received with the former still around on the 30th.

Water Rail was calling at Stockbridge Reserve where up to three birds had taken up residence, and a Ring Ouzel passed through TMR on the 22nd. Stonechats were seen in small family groups with Glovershaw and Sandwith Moor being the best places. On the 13th 150 Pink-footed Geese flew over TMR at regular intervals and the first Snow Bunting of the season was noted at this watch-point, followed four there days later by four Lapland Bunting. Observers on Soil Hill, Queensbury recorded a Jack Snipe (16th) that seemed to be there until the end of the month. Soil Hill supplied us with records of reverse migration when both Greenland and Northern Wheatear were noted and there was also a report of Twite and a Raven at this spot.

Redwing were first recorded on the 7th from TMR and this heralded a major influx that started with a flood a week later with 610 (14th), 866 (15th), 1173 at Caldene Fields (18th), with observers at TMR recording 1400 on the 26th. Fieldfare numbers began to pick up from about the 18th and on the 26th, 2700 flooded past the TMR watch-point.

Timble Ings appeared to be a reliable spot to see Redwing going into roost. Timble was also a good place to see Brambling and Crossbill with over 250 and 15 (22nd) respectively. Ring Ouzel were still to be seen on the 30th with two birds on the moorland around Kex Gill.

Winter ducks were gathering within the area with Wigeon, Tufted, Pochard and Goldeneye reported from around the region and Golden Plover numbers were increasing with their favoured spot being Sandwith Moor, it produced 150 (29th), but Bowling Back Lane in the centre of Bradford had over 200 (28th).

The month was largely wet and windy with localised flooding, however, rainfall was well short of the total experienced in 2000.

The first day of October started with viz-mig in full swing. Huge numbers of birds were on the move, with over 800 Meadow Pipits seen moving south at TMR. Throughout the next few days, numbers were close to 1000, with waves of the birds, flying low and skimming the roof tops. At Kex Gill, flocks of passerines were arriving and moving through all morning and here a high of 119 Meadow Pipits were moving westwards. Leeshaw had a couple of Twite and in the Wharfe Valley four Red Kites with two juveniles were spotted together with a male Hen Harrier and a high of twelve Buzzards.

On the 2nd a large flock of over 500 Starling and 300 plus Lapwing occupied the flooded fields around Silsden. Over at Fewston Reservoir, 43 Tufted Ducks had assembled and quartering the Prune Park fields was a Short-eared Owl. A member watching in Paul Clough reported a Ring Ouzel, which remained for at least two days. On the 8th, over 2000 Thrush species were counted flying high towards the north-west at TMR. Influxes of Blackbird, Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were noted from this vantage point. On the 9th Fieldfare and Redwing passage numbers had risen to over 4300 and at Denholme Clough good numbers of birds were counted included an influx of Song Thrush.

On the 10th, Stockbridge had a Water Rail and a Buzzard was seen in a ploughed field by Hollins Hall, Baildon and Long-tailed Tits seemed to be everywhere. A Common Tern was seen, fishing, at Baildon Bridge on the 15th. By the 16th, 70 Teal were recorded on Silsden Floods and late Swallows were still being reported from around the region. Two Jack Snipe were seen on Soil Hill on the 17th and a couple of Snow Buntings were reported from Cold Edge Dams.

A male Hen Harrier was observed being mobbed by corvids on Rombalds Moor on the 19th. Throughout this period, moving Thrush numbers remained high, 3580 passed TMR heading SSE on the 22nd. At this spot, the next day, a surprise bird was a Slavonian Grebe, an adult moulting to winter plumage. The flooded meadows of Silsden produced four Whooper Swans (2 adult 2 immature), on the 24th, before they were disturbed by shooters and flew down the Aire Valley. The highlight of the 26th was a female Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker at OGP and a flock of over 400 Redwing. As the month drew to a close, over 700 Lapwing had taken up residence at Silsden Floods, and Wood Pigeons were congregating in ever increasing flocks with 1400 at OGP. On the final day, members were pleased to record that three Water Rail were showing well at Stockbridge.