There are now far too many records to enumerate. Birds were noted in all months from a variety of sites. All the tagged birds noted have originated from the Harewood release scheme and it is presumed that most if not all untagged birds are from this scheme as well. The highest count was of eight near the 12 Apostle Stones on Rombald’s Moor in early May and contained tagged Harewood birds and kites with no identifcation marks. Up to three were regularly seen in the Timble Ings/Blubberhouses area in April and birds were regularly reported in Wharfedale during the summer months.

Reports are now coming from many parts of the area in all months of the year as a result of the expanding and highly successful Harewood re-introduction scheme. Even more encouraging was the recording area’s first breeding attempt that involved a second-year male and a first-year female rearing two chicks to fledging. In addition to this, regular display was observed at various sites during the late winter and early spring, which bodes well for further breeding attempts in future years.

The Report for as recently as 2000 described that year as being average, with four records of probably two birds. This year, just short of 200 records have been submitted, covering every month! That said, it should be stressed that the vast majority of these came from the same location, Barden Scale, and reflect the diligence of the regular observer (AGG), so they do not necessarily indicate the total number of birds actually present in the recording area. Whilst some birds were individually identified by tags, others weren’t, and assessment of numbers is therefore impossible.

It can, however, be said that multiple sightings at this location were fairly commonplace, and on one occasion, 19th November, six birds were seen. Other records came almost entirely from the Otley area and the Washburn Valley, where at least five birds were present on 22nd June. The one exception was a welcome sighting in the south, where a bird was present at Warley Moor on 21st March.

Clearly all this is reflective of the success of the Harewood introduction scheme, and it is pleasing to report that for the second successive year a pair bred in the recording area, successfully fledging two young, whilst another pair was present all spring at another location.