2004 Report

2005 Report

2006 Report

BARN OWL Tyto alba
Scarce visitor.

At a site two pairs of pole boxes were installed in late August and pellets were found at one box in October, November and December and another box had pellets in addition to a sighting by a Yorkshire Water employee three days after installation. This is a very good example of how providing artificial nest sites in suitable habitat can produce quick and positive results.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Common resident breeder.

This species was very well recorded from sites ranging right across the area. Although it is almost certain that many pairs bred the only actual confirmation of breeding came from Trough Lane and Thornton Moor, Leeshaw Reservoirs.
There were far too many sites to mention but ones where birds were reported frequently included High Pole Farm at Keighley, Sconce Lane, Denton, Barden, Thornton Moor Reservoir and Lee Lane at Cottingley.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Common resident breeder.

Probably our commonest owl which can be encountered almost anywhere where there are trees. There is no reason to suspect a change in the population locally.

Fieldwork carried out by one local birder (PR) gave a good indication of breeding success, the findings are as follows: Middleton Woods (predated), Nell Bank Wood (one young), Dob Park Wood (three), Acrecliffe (three), Carleton (four), Menston (two) and Lady Walk Wood (two pairs bred and with one infertile).

In addition to this direct evidence of breeding young were seen at came from Esholt (two), Timble Ings (two) and Sword Point plantation (two).

At one site this species appears to living quite harmoniously alongside the local Long Eared Owl population.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
Occasional breeder and winter visitor.

Another record year with nine pairs located at three sites, yielding a minimum of 18 young. At one site both males and females were heard calling in February with five pairs successfully raising at least twelve young. The young birds were only about 300 meters apart (AJ, JLT et al). At another site three pairs reared at least five young (JMM) and at a third site there was one calling youngster in early August (RS). There is undoubtedly more breeding as previous sites and vast areas of suitable habitat went un-checked. Evidence of this was seen when a young bird was taken into care from a previously unknown breeding site in the west of the recording area (HBC).
Analysis of pellets from the first site mentioned showed that prey included 89 Field Voles, 12 Wood Mice, four Pygmy Shrews, two Frogs and a bird.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
Resident breeder and winter visitor

Following on from 2002, six birds remained on Kildwick Moor until late February with five still present on 5th March. At Sandwith Moor six birds were located on 13th January and remained until 15th February with three still present into early April. Wing-clapping was noted but no breeding attempted there.

Various moorlands had sightings and some such as Round Hill, Whetstone Gate and Beamsley Moor often had displaying birds but the only concrete proof of breeding came from Barden Moor, Ilkley Moor, Kex Gill Moor, Fly Flatts and two pairs on Bingley Moor.
Most birds had moved on by early autumn but three were noted near Fly Flatts Reservoir on 24th October.