Grasshopper
Warbler |
Sedge
Warbler |
Reed
Warbler |
GRASSHOPPER
WARBLER
Locustella naevia
Scarce passage visitor/ occasional breeder
A “reeling” bird was heard at Stockbridge from 18th April until 2nd August. 2 birds were present on 5 dates, the last being as late as 28th July. A possible juvenile was seen on 29th June (TH, SR, MD).
The only other “reeling” bird was at Elland Gravel Pits from 26th April until 3rd July (HBC, BS).
SEDGE
WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus.
Migrant breeder/passage visitor.
The first returning migrants were at Marley on 18th April and at Stockbridge four days later. Breeding was noted at Otley Gravel Pits (at least two pairs), Silsden Reservoir and Stockbridge. Birds were seen regularly at these sites as well as Chelker and Fewston Reservoirs and Elland Gravel Pits until the last sightings at Stockbridge and Otley Gravel Pits on 17th August. A single bird at Denholme Clough on 10th August is likely to have been a bird on passage also at Cold Edge Dams on 3rd September.
REED
WARBLER
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Scarce passage visitor/local and occasional breeder.
The only regular site was again Elland Gravel Pits with two singing males noted between 7th May and 24th June (HBC, BS, NK). On 2nd September a migrant was spotted also at Elland (HBC). An Autumn passage bird was a good find at Denholme Clough on 21st September (MD).
LESSER
WHITETHROAT
Sylvia curruca
Increasingly uncommon migrant breeder/ passage visitor.
A fairly average year. The first of the year was noted on 26th April at Elland Gravel Pits. On 3rd May others were at both Stockbridge and Barden Bridge. These were followed by records from Dob Park Bridge between 7th May and 4th June, Knotford Nook 1st July and Lindley Green on 6th August. All records relate to singles.
COMMON
WHITETHROAT
Sylvia communis
Migrant breeder/ passage visitor.
Recorded between 17th April when one was at Elland Gravel Pits and 14th September when one lingered at Stockbridge. During the summer month’s birds were noted at Marley and Esholt Sewage Works, St.Ives and White Wells with breeding being confirmed at both Stockbridge and Gallows Hill. Birds were also located at Paul Clough and Denholme Clough as well as Elland Gravel Pits, which hosted the year’s highest count of eight birds during June.
GARDEN
WARBLER
Sylvia borin
Migrant breeder/ passage visitor.
After the first at Sun Lane, Burley on 20th April this species was recorded in small numbers from a wide variety of sites including Wydra, the gravel pits at Otley, Ben Rhydding and Elland as well as Marley and Esholt Sewage Works, Dob Bridge and St Ives. In addition a passage bird was seen at Thornton Moor Reservoir in August.
Breeding was confirmed only at Farnley and Stockbridge, this latter site also recording the last of the year on 21st September.
BLACKCAP
Sylvia atricapilla
Migrant breeder and passage/winter visitor.
During the first winter period birds were reported from six different gardens including five birds in Menston in January.
The main arrival seemed to take place from mid-April with records coming from many sites throughout the summer months, although the only actual confirmed breeding came from Stockbridge. Records then fizzled out through September followed by a handful in October.
Wintering individuals were seen in gardens in Bingley and Menston during the last two months.
WOOD
WARBLER
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Migrant breeder and occasional passage migrant.
Local and fairly uncommon in the recording area and also only evident from 25th April to 1st July. Up to 10 birds were noted singing in the stronghold of Strid Woods and it is highly likely this species bred there. Breeding was however confirmed at Goit Stock, Dob Park and Panorama Woods.
The only additional sites to attract Wood Warblers this year were Otley Chevin, St Ives and Hebers Ghyll Wood near Ilkley.
CHIFFCHAFF
Phylloscopus collibyta
Common migrant breeder and passage/winter visitor.
Widespread again this year and causing no concern as to status. The first migrants were right on cue in the second half of March followed by records from many sites. The usual mid-summer lull in sightings was predictably followed by return passage birds turning up almost anywhere where trees and bushes are present including Kex Gill Quarry. Sightings were fewer throughout September and there were only three October sightings with birds seen at Esholt, Denholme Clough and Lindley Wood.
The last report of the year came from Otley Gravel Pits on 4th December.
WILLOW
WARBLER
Phylloscopus trochilus
Common migrant breeder/passage visitor.
The willow warbler is a very common migrant seen throughout the area between 26th March and 2nd October. Many pairs will certainly have reared young in the area but the only proof came from Stockbridge and Doe Park. The highest number recorded was twenty birds at Denholme Clough in late August.
GOLDCREST
Regulus regulus
Resident breeder and passage/winter visitor.
A widespread and abundant species and records suggest there is no reason to suspect any change in status. Can be found almost anywhere where there are trees and bushes but the larger numbers are to be found in large coniferous and mixed woodlands such as Timble Ings and Swinsty Moor plantation.
FIRECREST
Regulus ignicapillus
Scarce vagrant.
A male bird graced Dowley Gap Sewage Works from 20th – 23rd April and was seen by many group members (MS et al). A bird was watched at very close range in the observer’s Addingham garden on 9th January (DHM). The eighth Group record.