Bohemian
Waxwing |
Dipper |
BOHEMIAN
WAXWING
Bombycilla garrulus.
Irregular but fairly numerous winter visitor.
Another fine selection of records at both ends of the year. It appears, once again, that the upland coniferous woodlands of the Washburn Valley are favourable in attracting parties of roosting birds. Twenty came in to Timble Ings on the evening of 21st January and eight roosted in Sandwith Moor Plantation on 11th February. Also in February, 27 were in Burley-in-Wharfedale. March yielded 19 in Otley Park, whilst 11 were in Bingley. The only April record concerned 30 birds at Harden on 3rd.
In the second winter
period the first to arrive were six in Ilkley town centre’s main
car park on 3rd November. By the 11th this flock had risen to more than
180, but only two remained by 2nd December. Again Timble Ings hosted roosting
birds on a few dates, with 180 on 12th November being the maximum. Sandwith
Moor Plantation also featured, with up to 30 coming in to roost during
December.
During December, flocks of up to 85 birds came from too many sites to
mention. Larger gatherings included 330 in Halifax, 300 in Keighley, 160
at King Cross, 140 at Crossflatts, 200 at Jacob’s Well (Bradford)
and 100 at Greengates.
DIPPER
Cinclus cinclus.
Common resident breeder.
Many records were provided for the stretch of the River Wharfe from Bolton Bridge to Barden Bridge. This area also held various groups of young being fed by adults. Further down the same river, around Ilkley, Ben Rhydding and Otley, various sightings were made and breeding was strongly suspected.
Breeding also occurred at Elland Gravel Pits and Goit Stock, Wilsden.
In the Aire Valley,
there were two sightings at Myrtle Park (Bingley).
WREN
Troglodytes troglodytes
Common resident breeder.
No apparent change
in status.
HEDGE
ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK)
Prunella modularis
Common resident breeder.
No apparent change
in status. There was a small influx on 16th October, when 10 birds appeared
at Thornton Moor Reservoir.
ROBIN
Erithacus rubecula.
Common resident breeder/winter visitor.
No apparent change in status.