BARN OWL Tyto alba
Scarce visitor.

Whilst none were seen, the discovery of fresh pellets confirmed that birds were present in the area (AJ).

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua
Common resident breeder.

As owls go, Little Owl is usually fairly obliging, and this is reflected in the 90 records from 36 varied locations across the area. Moorland fringes predominated, but there were several reports from the suburbs, and a rare garden record, from Sconce Lane, Baildon.

Breeding was proved near this location, and also took place at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir and Marley Hall Farm, somewhat down on last year. Most of the reports concerned single birds, including an interesting one of a bird using a nest-box at Ogden Reservoir as a roost in October and November, and pairs were seen occasionally. The exceptions were four birds at Thornton Moor Reservoir and near Yeadon, and three at Barden and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco
Common resident breeder.

Reported from 30 locations (up on 2005), including nine from suburban areas, and with several birds seen or heard in gardens. Every month featured, though some only just, and there were few reports covering the winter months, presumably due to the lack of calling from birds at this time, rather than any dispersal.

The highest aggregate was four different birds heard calling at Timble Ings in April, and singles were generally the norm. Records from or near gardens actually represented over 25% of the total, a good proportion, and they came from Sconce Lane, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Baildon and Silsden, where a bird gave the listener a Christmas alarm call by making itself heard at 3.45 am on 25th December.

The improvement in breeding success reported last year was maintained, and was slightly ahead of 2005, with 11 pairs located in all, at Lime Kiln Plantation, Sconce Lane, Beecroft Moor Plantation, the Denton Estate, Baildon, Thruscross, Redshaw Gill, Askwith, Nell Bank and Middleton Woods. At least 16 young were raised.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus
Scarce resident breeder.

After the success of recent years, the species suffered a setback in 2006, perhaps due to a combination of circumstances, including a shortage of prey species and poor weather conditions at critical times in the breeding cycle. Whilst around ten pairs were probably present at four general locations, only five nests were discovered, two of which failed, and only three juvenile birds were ringed (AJ, PRo), although young were also heard calling at one of the sites. Given this, it is possible at least six young were raised in all.

Single birds were also seen in June and August at locations where they were not thought to have nested, and it is worth bearing in mind that even this year’s relatively poor showing compares very favourably with the handful of records produced as recently as 1996.

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

This diurnal owl is usually well recorded, and this year birds were reported from 23 locations, two-thirds of which were in the south of the area, but including nine sites within a short distance of each other.

The blocks of moorland in an arc south of Oxenhope predominated, and it was from here that the year’s highest total of six birds originated, consisting of different pairs on Warley Moor, Oxenhope Moor, and near Paul Clough. Records from Airedale were generally concentrated on Rombald’s Moor and its satellites, and from the Washburn Valley there were sightings at Timble Ings and Hoodstorth, and nearby at Kex Gill and Denton Moor. Elsewhere, there were several reports from Baildon Moor and Barden Scale, and single sightings at Draughton Heights and Keighley Moor. Given the proximity of many of the locations, a lot of the records almost certainly involve the same birds, but even with this caveat, it is probable a minimum of 25 birds was seen during the course of the year.

For the second year in succession, there was some indication of birds spending at least part of the winter in the area, as evidenced by sightings of up to two birds around Barden and Baildon Moor in the first two months, and singles in these areas and Blubberhouses Moor in the final two.

The numbers of pairs seen during the summer months was suggestive of a good breeding season, but definite proof came only from Kex Gill, Denton Moor and Warley Moor.