2005 was a fairly productive year with nearly 2500 birds ringed in the area. This is a combined effort of Peter Roe, Andy Jowett, Theo Kuechel and Colin Harrison. This total includes 500 Black -headed Gulls ringed at the Barden Moor colony by members of the East Dales Ringing Group but does not include other birds ringed on the Bolton Abbey Estate by Peter Wright.

Ringing was started at a new site at Otley Wetlands in October and several interesting records from there included an adult female Kingfisher that had been ringed elsewhere. We are still awaiting details on this bird. It is hoped that studies at this site and in the reed-bed area will continue in the coming years. Kex Gill featured once again in the autumn with 100 Meadow Pipits ringed as well as a few Linnets and a male Sparrowhawk. It is hoped more mist-netting will be carried out in 2006 and the that pulli ringing studies and the ringing of the Sand Martin colonies will continue and hopefully increase also.

Colin Harrison continued his ringing at Pool Paper Mills – a site just outside the BOG area until January 1st 2006. The totals from this site are included here for the sake of completeness and include interesting captures such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Reed Warbler.

Other impressive totals were the Sand Martins ringed at Manor Park, nearly 200 Greenfinch, over 200 Swallow pulli and over 100 Pied Flycatcher nestlings ringed between several sites.

Of the raptors and owls, Merlins were disappointing with just three broods ringed this year. Kestrels however have done well, helped by the provision of nestboxes which is hoped will increase further over the coming years. One brood each of Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl were very welcome as were three broods of Long-eared Owls, two of which were in nesting baskets. An in-depth, long term study of this species is being undertaken by Andy Jowett, the results of which will be published separately in due course. It is hoped that with the offer of assistance by a local climber various tree nesting species such as Buzzard and possibly Red Kite may be ringed this year.

Wader chicks were disappointing in numbers with only five each for Curlew and Oystercatcher although Little Ringed Plover still cling on at one site with two broods of two being ringed. There were no Ringed Plover ringed this year but once again Pete Roe managed to ring two Common Tern Chicks. Adult Mute Swans were ringed in the Otley area with the help of Jill Warwick and allowed local people with their children to get close views of the majestic birds.