Stock
Dove |
Wood
Pigeon |
STOCK
DOVE
Columba oenas
Resident breeder.
This is a species which has had its peaks and troughs in recent years, with some suggestions of expansion. Whilst well-recorded in 2006, with about 70 reports, the figures don’t support this, as there were only six double-figure counts, by far the highest of which were up to 34 birds at Cullingworth in November, and 91 at Cononley Ings on 16th March. This figure was, however, the largest single-flock count in the last 16 years.
There was little evidence of migration. although a seasonal total of about 20 birds in the south of the area might have been relocating, but there were more garden records than usual, these coming from Baildon, Low Moor and Sconce Lane. There was also more evidence of breeding success, at St. Ives, Glovershaw, near Scargill Reservoir, Kettlesing and a private site.
WOOD
PIGEON
Columba palumbus
Resident breeder and winter visitor.
Following the big numbers and day totals reported in 2004 and last year, 2006 was again a bumper year, but it also served to illustrate nicely the unpredictability of birdwatching.
Unlike last year, there was scarcely any significant activity until the last week in September, and the preceding period produced only eight flocks of more than 20 birds, the best of which consisted of 75 birds overflying Thornton Moor Reservoir in January. More striking was the fact that, in complete contrast to 2005, this was Thornton Moor’s only contribution to the year’s records, and the biggest numbers were reported from Caldene Fields, a location which hasn’t specifically figured in Reports in relation to the species since 1998. This year, however, it led the charge in a quite spectacular way.
Between 30th September and 12th November, no less than 10250 birds were seen on 16 days, with particularly notable day totals of 2480 on 29th October, 1050 on 2nd November, 1134 on the 5th and 2420 on the 12th. Three-figure counts were made on seven other days, including 300 in an abbreviated watch of just 15 minutes on 1st November, providing an indication of just how many birds might have been involved in the period as a whole.
The supporting cast included 1000 birds over Baildon Bank on 4th December, and good counts of 500 and 200 at Shibden Head, and 250 at Noska Brow in the same month, 160 at Ogden and 134 at Paul Clough in November, and 155 at Denholme Clough in October. In the period as a whole, nearly 13,000 birds were seen.
Away from this flurry of activity, garden records came from Oxenhope and Sconce Lane. Breeding data for 2005 was described as almost non-existent; unfortunately, we have gone one better in 2006, as no breeding information was submitted.
COLLARED
DOVE
Streptopelia decaocto
Common resident breeder.
Though a comparitively recent British coloniser, it is clear that the species has quickly been relegated by most to the status of ‘just another pigeon’. The 20 records received are in line with last year, as is the total of 33 birds.
With very few exceptions, reports came almost entirely from gardens in Otley, Baildon, Queensbury and Riddlesden, and usually involved two or three birds. The more notable exceptions included Marley Hall Farm, where a pair was seen prospecting for a nest site in May, and Knotford Nook, where breeding was attempted. Evidence of movement came from Barden Scale, where three birds passing on 27th June represented an unusual record for the location, and an equally scarce record concerned seven birds, presumably relocating, flying south over Thornton Moor Reservoir on 22nd September.
COMMON
CUCKOO
Cuculus canorus
Migrant breeder.
The occurrence pattern of this species varies little from one year to another, and 2006 was no exception. The first arrival date was the fairly typical one of 22nd April, when what was clearly the same bird was reported from Lower Barden Reservoir by three observers, and another one was heard at Burley Woodhead. Further reports were then received for the remainder of the month, which accounted for 25% of the year’s records, but, unlike last year, records for May and June were split fairly evenly, at around 37% each. However, one common factor with previous years was the short amount of time during which the majority of birds are around: in this case, just over nine weeks.
As usual, moorland areas accounted for most of the records, with Barden Moor and Fell producing 18, Rombald’s Moor and those adjacent 13, the Blubberhouses/Denton Moor block five, and the moors above Oxenhope ten. Other records came from Baildon Moor, Strid Wood, Middleton Woods, and Swinsty Reservoir, where the last bird, again typically, a juvenile was seen on 18th August. Two birds were seen or heard on several occasions, and the highest aggregate was four birds at Thornton Moor Reservoir on 8th June. The timing and proximity of location of many the sightings tends to suggest that, at most, 25 birds were involved.
There were no reports of breeding.