The River Wharfe is good for this species with birds regularly being seen at Otley Gravel Pits, Barden Bridge, Askwith and Beamsley and breeding occurring at Ben Rhydding.

The River Aire also has a sustainable population with young visiting at Stockbridge and other birds being seen at Esholt, Myrtle Park, Silsden, Marley, Shipley Glen, Farnhill Ings and Hirst Wood.
Breeding was noted at Elland Gravel Pits.

The Washburn is not the most reliable river for kingfishers but birds were seen near Dob Bridge and at Beaverdyke and Swinsty Reservoirs.

Other sites holding this species included Leeming Reservoir and also a bird in Denton village.

There were 46 records this year from the River Aire and its tributaries. However, about half of these came from Stockbridge. Other locations included St Ives, Marley, Hirst Wood, Shipley Glen, Doe Park Reservoir and Baildon.

A total of 22 records originated from the Wharfe Valley, with breeding proven at one site, where eight young were fledged from two broods. Most of the records concerned the stretch of river from Ilkley to Gallows Hill, Otley, but birds were noted as high up the dale as Barden Bridge.

There was a pleasing set of reports from the Washburn Valley, with birds seen at Dob Park Bridge as well as the reservoirs of Fewston, Swinsty, Lindley Wood and Beaverdyke. Elsewhere, five records came from Elland Gravel Pits.

Seventy records were submitted, very much in line with 2004, although this year there were more from Wharfedale than Airedale, the proportions being 56% and 40%. Of the balance, the main sightings came from Elland Gravel Pits and Ogden Water. There were no records at all from the Washburn Valley, in contrast to last year, when birds were reported from five locations. One feature was the number of birds seen in urban and suburban areas, such as Bingley, Shipley and Keighley.

Reports of successful breeding were up on 2004. Four young were seen near Otley Wetland Reserve, and four were ringed at Maple Grange. Birds were also observed attending nest holes at Marley and Elland Gravel Pits, and sightings of adults carrying food near Doe Park Reservoir resulted in the discovery of a nest with young.

An interesting record came from Burley-in-Wharfedale, where, having flown into a house window, a bird was taken into care, following which it revived and flew off the following day.