2003 Report

2005 Report

2006 Report

ROCK DOVE Columba livia
Resident feral breeder.

The abundant feral population is so commonplace within the area that only one specific record was submitted . This concerned at least 100 birds roosting on Lister’s Mill, Bradford, in January, and which were under close scrutiny by a Peregrine.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas
Resident breeder.

Pairs bred in four of the nest-boxes provided for Barn Owl. A pair also nested in a rock crevice on Burley Moor but this was predated. Records came from a good many sites, such as Kex Gill Quarry, Soil Hill, Cold Edge Dams, Denholme Clough and Otley Wetland. The highest congregations were 80 at Sunnydale in May, ( one of the best totals in recent years), and 43 there in October. The fields around Cullingworth held up to 40 birds in January and up to 24 in the second winter period.

WOOD PIGEON Columba palumbus
Resident breeder and winter visitor.

Small numbers were seen throughout the area during the breeding season, but the only proof of breeding was a pair at Knotford Nook, a glaring example of under-recording commoner species.

A very large influx was noted in the autumn. The first big group was 1200 heading east at Sandwith Moor on 27th October, followed by 600 south at Denholme Clough three days later, and 1370 at Elland Gravel Pits on the day after that.
The large numbers continued into November with notable counts of 4300 south over Queensbury on 1st and up to 1450 at Barden on 30th. December also produced some good movements, with four-figure counts of 1270 at Barden on 4th, and 1400 at Thornton Moor Reservoir next day, when 800 also passed Otley Wetland. In the same month there were also five counts of up to 1000 birds in the south of the area.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto
Common resident breeder.

A common bird in suburban areas, with many garden records obtained. Significant numbers were at Jacob’s Well in Bradford where a roost contained 35 in January and up to 40 in December. Elsewhere, 16 were seen in Ilkley, and a group of 35 near Yeadon Tarn.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur
Scarce migrant

A better year than usual, with two records.

A single bird was discovered drinking from a pool on the track at Thornton Moor Reservoir on 4th August (RHP), and an individual was seen in Silsden on 20th May (JLT).

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus
Migrant breeder.

First to return was a bird on Ilkley Moor on 23rd April, a fairly typical date.

Up to two birds were then noted at many sites including Lindley Wood Reservoir, Snowden Crags, Rombald’s Moor, Barden, Sconce Lane, St Ives, Dob Park, Thornton Moor Reservoir, Oxenhope, Elland Gravel Pits, Warley Moor Reservoir and Luddenden Dean. Three birds were noted at both Timble Ings and Thruscross Reservoir.

The final bird was on Harden Moor on 20th June, thus this species was only recorded in the area for less than two months.

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