Nightjar |
Swift |
Kingfisher |
NIGHTJAR
Caprimulgus europaeus
Rare summer visitor.
A pair had returned
to the previous years’ site by 27th May. The first nesting attempt
failed around the predicted hatching date but the second brood was reared
successfully, and the two chicks were ringed (G&LP, PR et al).
At another recently created area of suitable habitat, two birds were reported
during June and July (per AJ).
COMMON
SWIFT Apus apus
Migrant breeder and passage migrant.
The first to return was a single at Elland Gravel Pits on 14th April. No large influx was noted in May, but there were considerable movements at Thornton Moor Reservoir in June and July, the most spectacular of which was of some 2200 birds prior to and following a storm on 20th June. During this period, about 3600 birds were seen in total.
The year’s final sighting was a bird over Luddenden Dean on 14th September.
COMMON
KINGFISHER Alcedo
atthis
Fairly common resident breeder.
There were 46 records
this year from the River Aire and its tributaries. However, about half
of these came from Stockbridge. Other locations included St Ives, Marley,
Hirst Wood, Shipley Glen, Doe Park Reservoir and Baildon.
A total of 22 records originated from the Wharfe Valley, with breeding
proven at one site, where eight young were fledged from two broods. Most
of the records concerned the stretch of river from Ilkley to Gallows Hill,
Otley, but birds were noted as high up the dale as Barden Bridge.
There was a pleasing set of reports from the Washburn Valley, with birds seen at Dob Park Bridge as well as the reservoirs of Fewston, Swinsty, Lindley Wood and Beaverdyke. Elsewhere, five records came from Elland Gravel Pits.
ROSE
RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula
krameri
Uncommon visitor.
There were three records.
One was at Crossflatts Railway Station on 30th April (SR), one at Thornton
Moor Reservoir from 10th to 16th July (DCB,MD, KM), and another at Caldene
Fields on 7th November (MVP).