The first was the earliest ever recorded in the area, a single at Otley Wetland on 9th April, and another bird was seen here on 19th July. Elsewhere in Wharfedale, individuals were recorded on seven dates between 17th May and 28th June, and in this general area, a bird was seen to successfully rob a Sparrowhawk of a small prey item, which it ate on the wing.

The trend of recent years continues, with many records of birds in the summer months at a location in Wharfedale. Birds were seen on twelve dates between 21st June and 9th August, and often involved two birds. Whilst distances made the perception of individual features difficult, it is likely there was a turnover of different birds throughout this period.

Other records all involved singles. These came from Leeshaw Reservoir on 25th June, Rombald’s Moor on 25th July and Thruscross Reservoir on 1st August. Thornton Moor Reservoir had a bird on 4th September, and 7th and 8th one was seen on nearby Ovenden Moor, chasing Meadow Pipits and Swallows.

Even if all four records submitted had been supported by the necessary descriptions, 2006 would have been a poor year. As it was, only two of them were so validated, making it particularly disappointing.

Only one record came from a recently reliable part of Wharfedale, a bird seen on 5th August, and aged as a 1st-summer individual. The other was one chasing hirundines near Leeshaw Reservoir on 21st September.

It is only a few years ago that the numbers of birds seen in the area prompted thoughts of local breeding, so it is hoped the current downturn is only temporary.

There was a welcome upturn in the number of records in comparison with 2006, although all ten of them came from Barden, and were over a three months period. The descriptions provided and the spread of sightings suggests different individuals could have been involved on each occasion.

In June, birds were seen on the 1st, 3rd and 10th, and after a gap of some three weeks, another was located on 2nd July, with a further sighting a week later, and another report on the 27th. Shortly afterwards, a bird was present on 1st August, presumably a different one on the 5th, and the final reports were in the last few days of the month: on the 20th, and 25th.

This year’s 14 records (all of single birds), are much in line with 2009, and the dates indicate many of them were on passage. At Barden, birds were seen over the fell on five days between 11th June and 3rd July, and possibly the same individual was near Barden Tower on 9th and 12th September. Other than a report of one on Lindley Moor on 22nd August, all the other sightings were in the south of the area. Thornton Moor Reservoir had observations on 3rd May and 22nd September, there were records from Leeshaw Reservoir on 13th July and 3rd August, and birds overflew Soil Hill on 27th June and 30th August.

Although one of the records was a juvenile, there is no evidence of local breeding.