Bohemian
Waxwing |
Dipper |
BOHEMIAN
WAXWING
Bombycilla garrulus.
Irregular but fairly numerous winter visitor.
Birds were again seen in both winter periods, the larger numbers in the early months being attributable to the large invasion in the latter part of 2004.
In January, single figures were recorded in gardens in Oxenhope and Silsden, as well as on the Addingham By-pass, twelve flew over Otley Wetland and twenty were in Halifax in the early part of the month. There were larger counts of 40 birds in Idle, and several unspecified parties in the vicinity of Bradford University, but much the largest flocks were in the south of the area. An initial 60 birds in Brighouse on 1st had built up to an impressive 400 on 15th, and, by the 9th, numbers in Halifax had increased to 250.
By contrast, February’s numbers were distinctly modest. The Oxenhope garden continued to attract three birds, but the Halifax and Bradford tallies were down four and three, and only twelve birds on the move at Thornton Moor Reservoir on 6th achieved double figures.
Relocating and returning birds in March and April boosted numbers somewhat, and there were counts in the former month of 25 at Bradford College, and twenty at Crossflatts. In April, thirty were seen at Gilstead, 22 in Halifax, 50 at Baildon, and, the final spring record, 20 at Queensbury on 26th.
As in 2004, the first returning bird was found in Ilkley, on 20th November, and was again seen on 1st December. The other records in the final month of the year showed there was going to be no major invasion, as numbers were limited to up to four at and near Crossflatts, and sixteen on the Burley-in-Wharfedale By-pass.
DIPPER
Cinclus cinclus.
Common resident breeder.
The area’s main aggregation of birds this year was again in Wharfedale, and at least eighteen different adults were seen between Knotford Nook in the south-east and Howgill in the north-west. However, it would seem the comparatively small location of Luddenden Dean, well to the south of the Group area, has the largest concentration of birds, as at least four and possibly five pairs were resident. Surprisingly, there were no reports from the Washburn Valley, but birds were again seen on the Aire, at Esholt and Myrtle Park, Bingley.
Singing males were noted as early as 19th January and as late as 21st December, and this was, to an extent, reflected in the reasonable amount of breeding data. Nest-building had commenced by March, when it was seen at the Cavendish Pavilion bridge near Bolton Abbey, but the only juveniles in the general area were at Barden Bridge, whilst two pairs had nests nearby. Three young were ringed from a nest at Menston, and juveniles were present at Goit Stock and Doe Park Reservoir. Two pairs from the Luddenden Dean population raised a total of three young, whilst a bird seen carrying food at Hirstwood Weir was indicative of probable breeding there also.
WREN
Troglodytes troglodytes
Common resident breeder.
In the case of some of the area’s birds, the number of records seem to be in inverse proportion to their abundance; this species is one of them.
Though recorded in every month but December, reports were few, although
up to six birds were seen on a number of occasions, and a total of ten
were counted at Timble Ings in mid-November. On the breeding front, the
only report concerned four young fledged at Knotford Nook.
HEDGE
ACCENTOR (DUNNOCK)
Prunella modularis
Common resident breeder.
As usual, very few reports were received of this rather unobtrusive resident, and came only from Queensbury, Oakworth (both garden records), Doe Park Reservoir, Marley Sewage Works, Soil Hill, Knotford Nook, Thornton Moor Reservoir and Denholme Clough.
Several singing males were noted, but breeding was proved only at Knotford, though a juvenile was seen in the Oakworth garden in July.
Overall, the message seems to be under-recording, rather than a genuine lack of birds.
ROBIN
Erithacus rubecula.
Common resident breeder/winter visitor.
This is another patently common but under-recorded species. Birds were seen in most months, but with by far the majority of records coming from the winter months, when local numbers are boosted by Continental visitors, and during the autumn migration period.
Twos and threes predominated, but ten birds were seen in Denholme Clough on a couple of occasions, and eighteen were counted in St. Ives on 23rd April. Whilst nearly all the records came from the expected woodland and suburban locations, a notable exception was a bird in song on 2nd April at one of the recording area’s highest moorland points, Simon’s Seat.
Breeding was established at Strid Wood, Knotford Nook and St. Ives.