One observer located five nests containing 21 young (5:5:4:4:3). Another pair was present nearby but no evidence of breeding was forthcoming.
This information only covers a relatively small area and no breeding records were submitted for vast areas of suitable habitat where merlins are known to breed and were seen during the summer this year. Away from the breeding areas, only recorded at Denholme Clough, Cold Edge Dams, and Soil Hill with three records coming from the Sandwith Moor/Norwood Lane area during the winter months

This species is still competing with Sparrowhawk as the recording area’s commonest raptor.
Recently-erected nest-boxes in the Wharfe and Washburn Valleys yielded five and six young respectively, with two natural sites giving a further eight young, all of which were ringed. Elsewhere, family parties were noted at various sites including Burley Woodhead, Kex Gill, Leathley and Luddenden Dean.

The many Sparrowhawk records are surpassed by this species, which mustered 360, though, here again, matters are put into perspective by there being 165 submissions from Barden Scale alone. As with Sparrowhawk, there is also a scarcity of records for urban and suburban areas, pointing to under-recording rather than a lack of birds.

Good numbers of birds were recorded throughout, but particularly from Barden, where numbers were doubtless boosted by post-breeding family parties, and where up to twelve birds could be seen in August.

Displaying birds were seen at Otley Wetland and Baildon, and mating took place at Baildon Bank and Stockbridge, but didn’t appear to lead to breeding. Circumstantial evidence of this came from Thornton Moor Reservoir, Glovershaw and Barden, where juvenile birds were seen, and, as already indicated, family parties at the latter location. Additionally, food-carrying was observed at a private site.

Breeding was proved in respect of pairs using nest-boxes at three locations from which a total of thirteen young birds were ringed. It was also definitely established at natural nest sites at Leeming, Luddenden Dean, Leeshaw, Dob Park, Weston, Howgill Wood and Denton. Young were ringed at Dob Park and Howgill and the total number of young fledged at natural sites was at least 21. One observer commented that breeding did not take place at a previously used site in Bingley, despite birds being still present in the area.

With over 340 submissions, this species continues to be the Group’s best-recorded, although it must again be pointed out that 165 of them came from the raptor watchpoint at Barden Scale. This latter figure is exactly the same as in 2005, confirming there is no diminishment in the indefatigable efforts of the main contributor! Other observations were spread fairly evenly across the recording area, but, as in previous years, a relatively small number came from urban and suburban locations, though there is nothing to suggest that birds are other than well-established there.

In the early months of the year, records of ones and twos predominated, but by late April up to six birds were being seen at Barden, and, no doubt boosted by post-breeding activity, seven and even eight birds were noted there on several occasions in July, August and September, with a locally good count of six birds at Warley Moor Reservoir in the latter month.

Despite these numbers, breeding information was mainly limited to that generated by ringers monitoring this activity, and there were few reports of birds displaying, though the presence of apparently paired birds pointed to possible breeding. Probable pairs were seen at Barden as early as February, followed by a record at Glovershaw in March. Subsequently, likely pairs were seen at Barden on eight occasions, and also at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir, Lower Laithe Reservoir, and Otley Wetland. Displaying birds were noted at Blubberhouses, Dob Park Bridge, Stockbridge and Soil Hill.

The only firm evidence of breeding came from elsewhere, however, the locations concerned being near Leeds Bradford Airport, Forest Moor, Timble Ings, Denton Estate, Kex Gill, Howgill Wood, Nell Bank, and a private woodland. In all, 30 juveniles were found, many of which were ringed. It is possible successful breeding also took place at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir, Baildon Bank, Barden, and Otley Wetland. Overall, breeding activity seems to be at least in line with other recent years, though the probability remains that some is being undetected or not reported.

The 380 records for this best-reported of the Group’s raptors continue to provide plenty of work for the compiler, though it should again be stressed that a very considerable number emanate from one observer at Barden Scale, and that there are comparatively few reports from the towns and suburbs.

Barden’s numbers are probably higher than ever, as between five and nine birds were seen on no less than 30 different dates, and there was an exceptional count of 13 on 29th July. Elsewhere, with the exception of young birds on the nest, counts struggled to reach three.

Breeding success was particularly well-recorded, thanks largely to the efforts of a local ringer, and nests with young or eggs were found at six sites in the Washburn Valley, two in lower Wharfedale, and two in Airedale. In addition, probable or definite family parties were seen in mid-Wharfedale and the Aire and Worth Valleys. Forty-five young birds were produced (some of these being ringed), and other birds on the wing with parents probably numbered around 15. Despite these figures, it is likely they are an understatement of the true picture for this common and widespread raptor.

An intriguing discovery at Swinsty was a female sitting on five eggs, two of which were Goosander’s. Presumably the Kestrel had taken over the duck’s nest, perhaps abandoned, but the outcome was not advantageous, as the Kestrel’s eggs were addled, and the finder surmised the larger eggs had kept the body heat from her own. Also of interest was a report that in one of the family parties seen at Barden, an adult bird, having caught a mouse, spent many hours throwing it in the air for the young to catch.