BARN OWL Tyto alba
Scarce visitor.

The very few records in recent years have been slightly tainted by the escape possibility. It is therefore pleasing to report that in 2005 birds were discovered breeding marginally outside the recording area, but duly obliged by hunting over it. At least four eggs in a second brood hatched, without a known final outcome (AJ, PRo).

Hopefully this, coupled with the provision of nest-boxes in various locations, will restore this species’ status as a resident breeding bird in the BOG area.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Common resident breeder.

As a diurnal, and apparently popular owl, this species is well-recorded, and its healthy status in the area appears unchanged.

The many reports came from nearly 40 locations, essentially rural, though birds were seen within four miles of the centre of Bradford. Most concerned single birds, but up to three were seen together on occasion.

Young birds were seen in the Yeadon area, where the population seems particularly healthy, near Barden, St. Ives, Baildon and Leeshaw, and a bird was seen attending a nest on Black Moor, near Oxenhope.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Common resident breeder.

As a nocturnal species, this owl is less well-recorded than its diurnal congeners. There were nevertheless reports from 24 locations, including several from urban areas, and birds were heard or seen in every month but December. A bird seen in a Halifax garden on 22nd April had apparently been present for six months.

This was a much better breeding season than in 2004. There was confirmed breeding at Nell bank, Carlton Wood, Middleton Woods, Luddenden Dean, Ellar Ghyll, Dob Park, Pond House, Thruscross and Menston. In all, ten nests were located, and from these at least fourteen young were raised, of which thirteen were ringed.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
Scarce resident breeder.

This species continues to maintain its recent and remarkable progress in the recording area, thanks in no small part to those members who have enthusiastically encouraged and monitored this (AJ, PRo, RS, JLT).

In 2005, a total of eleven pairs were proved to have bred, raising a minimum of 22 young. It was encouraging that at least two pairs used the nesting baskets which have been erected at the principal breeding sites. In summary, successful breeding took place as follows:
Site 1 : Five pairs raised a minimum of ten young, of which five were ringed.
Site 2 : Two pairs produced a minimum of three young.
Site 3 : Three pairs, with at least five young, and very probably more than this.
Site 4 : This is a newly-discovered location, away from the main breeding areas, and where a pair fledged four young, although one was later discovered dead.

Near Site 4, and just outside the recording area, a different pair was thought to have bred, and birds were seen hunting over the Group area. Similarly, birds were also seen hunting over another part of the BOG area, servicing another nest just outside it. Overall, the position is clearly healthy, and other pairs are probably waiting to be discovered.

There were no other records, apart from birds calling at one breeding site in October.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus
Scarce breeder and sporadic winter visitor.

It is pleasing to note that there were more winter records than of late, with birds being seen at both ends of the year. These came mainly from Barden Scale, where in January and February there were nine records of up to two birds, and three reports in November and December. Again, up to two birds were seen, and one was also seen on Middleton Moor.

There were widespread reports of birds between March and October, with most in the summer months. These came from nineteen locations, including two from which birds are not regularly reported, the Sconce Lane area of Baildon, and Esholt Sewage Works. Sightings in this period also involved two birds on several occasions, and three were seen from Barden Scale in early August.

Probable breeding was suggested by displaying birds at Cold Edge Dams, and birds seen carrying food in the Barden area. It certainly took place on Askwith Moor, where three young birds were ringed, and near Warley Moor Reservoir, where an adult was observed feeding two juveniles.