A widespread and abundant breeding species in the area. Large numbers can be seen passing through on visible migration watches with the peak count of 3546 coming from Thornton Moor Reservoir on 20th September. Details of migration totals can be found in a separate article at the back of this report.

During the first winter period, single-figure records came from a variety of locations, including Elland Gravel Pits, Flappit Spring and Burley Moor. Twenty five were seen at Beckfoot Farm in February. March provided more sightings as birds returned to breeding habitat, with over 400 birds passing Thornton Moor Reservoir in four days. This location again featured strongly in April, and over 3400 birds were seen. Counts of 1170 on 11th and 950 the following day were particularly notable. Many breeding reports were received for what is probably our commonest moorland breeding bird.

Return migration was under way in August, with day totals of up to 280 birds at Thornton Moor Reservoir, but the main push here came over the following two months. Out of a total number of 7700 birds seen, day totals were never less than 100, were between 400 and 1000 on five dates, and peaked at an impressive 2550 birds on 19th September. Elsewhere, three-figure counts included up to 400 at Cold Edge Dams, 200 at Soil Hill, 360 at Luddenden Dean and 720 at Denholme Clough.

Some birds were still present at the year end, notably 60 on Soil Hill.

In recent years, the main feature associated with this species has been the recording of an often massive number of birds on migration, particularly in autumn, and usually over the watch-points in the south of the area. This year was no exception, and, whilst daily totals didn’t reach the heights of some previous years, there was a consistent flow of birds during September and October, producing a large aggregate figure.

Spring migration is usually on a more modest scale. In 2005 the total was around 3800, but half of it was recorded on one day, 11th April, and at Thornton Moor Reservoir. By the middle of July there was evidence of a modest amount of return migration, numbers built up in August, and movement was in full swing in September. The final birds trickled through in the first few days of November, and the overall period had by then produced an enormous total count of 22600. The key daily figures are shown. Such are the prodigious totals from Thornton Moor, that in their case significant counts are limited to four-figure ones!

Thornton Moor : September 21st - 1078, September 25th - 1988, September 28th - 2026, October 2nd - 1882, October 9th - 1578
Denholme Clough : September 25th - 661
Cold Edge Dams : September 25th - 487, October 2nd - 815, October 9th - 805
Paul Clough : September 21st - 628

Smaller numbers of birds were recorded at Leeshaw. It is worth remembering that observation at these locations is by no means on a daily basis during the peak months, so the likelihood is the true total is considerably higher.

Against the background of this wealth of information, it is disappointing to report a relatively modest number of records for other periods with scarcely any for the summer months, and an almost total absence of breeding data. Birds were around in both winter periods, and seemed to be on Soil Hill throughout January and February, and again in December. The maximum count there in the early months was 45. The other double-figure winter counts were 30 on Barden Fell in November, and 40 at Marley Sewage Works in December, well down on the sort of numbers that were formerly seen there.

That there were only four moorland records of this common breeder in the whole of June and July speaks for itself, as does the one breeding record : a bird seen food-carrying on Barden Moor in July (RP).