2003 Report

2005 Report

2006 Report

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo
Increasingly common passage and summer visitor and uncommon breeder.

A comparatively quiet year.
The first returning bird was seen at Thornton Moor Reservoir on 18th April. On 1st May, a day of significant movement of sterna species, Yeadon Tarn had a single with the Arctic Tern flock, two birds returned to Otley Wetland, and a bird was seen over Queensbury.

At Otley Wetland, a pair reared two chicks, both of which were ringed (PR), and up to five birds were present at Yeadon Tarn throughout the summer, with the final sighting on 6th July.

Elsewhere, in July up to two birds were at Knotford Nook, and on 18th at Doe Park Reservoir, with three seen at Thornton Moor Reservoir on the same date. The final record was a bird at Cold Edge Dams on 10th October.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
Scarce but regular passage migrant

An average year for the number of records, but involving many more birds than for some time. All the records were in May. On 1st singles were at Otley Wetland and Knotford Nook, while up to 29 were at Yeadon Tarn. The 9th had a further single at Knotford Nook , and up to two birds at Yeadon Tarn (AGG, AJ, KM).

BLACK TERN Chilodinais niger
Scarce passage migrant

A single at Otley Wetland on 12th September was the only record (SJ et al).

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