There were some good counts this year, particularly in the latter months.

In January 500 were recorded at both Burley-in-Wharfedale and at Chelker Reservoir, whilst Leeshaw Reservoir pulled in 70 birds during March and 200 in July.

200 at Redcar Tarn in September was a good record and likewise up to 500 at Flappit Springs in December.

Thornton Moor Reservoir regularly held birds in the second winter period, with a peak of 535 in November whilst Chelker Reservoir attracted up to 750 birds also in November. The years’ highest count was of 1000 birds at Otley Gravel Pits on the 4th December.
Breeding evidence came from various sites including Denton Hall, Reva Hill, Otley Gravel Pits, Knotford Nook and Thornton Moor Reservoir.

In the first winter period, over 800 were scattered throughout the recording area across seven sites on 17th January. The largest single flock for this period was 750 at Cullingworth on 12th February, and, at Burley, 630 were found on 5th February.

By the end of March, territorial behaviour was being noticed, and reported breeding occurred at twelve locations, of which Otley Wetland had over 15 pairs. By mid- June, post-breeding flocks were observed at Thornton Moor, with more gathering at Leeshaw and Chelker in July.

The second winter period produced the largest counts of the year when, in December, 1025 and 1230 were seen at Thornton Moor on 5th and 19th respectively. In the same month, 500 were seen in fields along Tenyards Lane, and another group of 500 was at Redcar Tarn. Elsewhere, 700 were seen at Silsden in October and at Chelker in November.

Birds were seen in every month, but, as expected, the highest numbers were in the winter months and on passage.

The biggest daily total was right at the beginning of the year when 2420 were recorded on 1st January, consisting of 450 at Chelker Reservoir, 150 near Timble Ings, and 1820 at Thornton Moor Reservoir. Other large flocks in the first winter period comprised up to 480 at Thornton Moor in January, and 225 in March, 450 seen over Oxenhope in February, and 700 in the same month at Denton.

Birds started to disperse and were seen on breeding territory from March, with many records of these. Specific records of breeding came from Leeshaw, Soil Hill, Glovershaw, Otley Wetland, Burley Moor, Fewston and New Laithe Moor. A significant 20 pairs bred at Denton and five young were ringed, as were birds on Hawksworth Moor and Reva Hill.

By early July post-breeding dispersal was in evidence, and several three-figure flocks were seen, the biggest of which was 280 at Leeshaw Reservoir. Subsequently, the monthly maxima were at least 300 at Chelker Reservoir in September, and 500 there in October, 700 at Denton Park in November, and, again at Chelker, 400 in December

Appropriately for the Group’s emblematic bird, Lapwing was well-recorded, with around 210 reports from across the area, including nearly 70 three-figure counts and one of four figures. Breeding data was also well-represented.

The pattern was the usual one of large flocks being seen in the winter months (and to some extent in early spring), with a build-up of numbers following breeding and on migration. In January, there were numerous reports of flocks of more than 200 birds, and particularly notable counts of 765 at Thornton Moor Reservoir on the 2nd., 400 on Middle Hare Fell at the end of the month, and 500 near the centre of Bradford on the 16th. The latter flock was the regular wintering one in the area, and had returned by November, when it was 300-strong. Numbers in February were smaller, but there were good totals of 370 at Redcar Tarn on the 4th, and 400 at Chelker Reservoir the same day, which flock had increased to 450 by the 13th.

Birds had clearly started to move out by March, and a total of 200 at Toad Holes Beck towards the month-end was the highest. Records for the next three months concentrated largely on breeding, and evidence of this came from Glovershaw, Otley Wetland, Kex Gill, Soil Hill, Shelf Moor, the Denton Estate, Weston, Menston and near Howgill Wood. Juvenile birds were seen at many of these, and, from the specific data received from a local ringer, it appears that the most young were reared at Menston and Otley Wetland : 19 and 21.

By the third week in July, post-breeding flocks had started to build up at Thornton Moor, where 217 birds were counted, and a similar count there in August was the highest for that month. Numbers there had increased to 250 by September, which was equalled at Cononley Ings, a location which was to produce several excellent counts towards the end of the year. October was comparatively quiet, with 200 birds at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir the highest figure, but good numbers had returned by November, with movements over Caldene Fields culminating in a maximum count of 418 birds on the 12th, 350 at Redcar Tarn, and totals of 500 and 750 at the now-flooded Cononley Ings. The floods attracted the year’s highest count of 1500 birds here on 3rd December, with others of 470 and 900, and 400 on nearby Silsden Floods.

At 175, records were down on last year, and there were slightly fewer three-figure flocks reported, although many good-sized parties were seen in the area during the first three months, and again from July to the year-end as post-breeding dispersal started and wintering flocks built up.

A count of 1500 birds at Denton in February was the year’s highest, there having been 800 here in the preceding month. Most of the reports for April to June related to breeding activity, which was confirmed at nine sites by the discovery of nests, or presence of juveniles, of which at least 40 were seen. In general, however, 2007 seems to have been a relatively poor year, as confirmed by specific information from two locations, both of which fared well last year. A regular observer indicated there was scarcely any evidence of nests or young at Otley Wetland. At Menston all the original nests were destroyed by agricultural activity, and most of the rebuilt ones failed due to adverse weather.