Regularly reported throughout the recording area in all habitats and competes with Kestrel as the most commonly seen raptor in the BOG area.
Many pairs will have bred and evidence of successful breeding came from Middleton Woods, Weston, Farnley and St Ives.
In April up to six were displaying at Barden while Sunnydale Reservoir also hosted the same number in the same month.

This continues to be an extremely widespread resident in all types of urban and rural habitats.
Displaying birds were noted in the Barden area in early February, with up to five displaying there in May. Indications were that at least two pairs attempted to breed in this area. Elsewhere, breeding was proved at Beamsley, Farnley, Middleton Woods, Denton, St Ives and Otley Chevin. Birds were also seen carrying food at Ben Rhydding, Farnhill and Langbar.

At one location, birds were seen to mob ringtail Hen Harrier and Goshawk, and at another, one tried to kill a young Kestrel.

This species attracted the remarkable number of 320 records, although it should be stressed that 175 of these came from the particularly well-watched and assiduously recorded Barden area. Surprisingly, there were very few urban reports.

Multiple sightings were widely reported, but, here again, Barden Scale led the way, with a maximum of seven birds there in June. Pre-breeding display activity was also most frequently witnessed at Barden, mostly from late March to early May, but with some activity there to as late as 21st June. In contrast, the first displaying record was of a male and two females over Spring Wood, Esholt, on New Year’s Day. Display flights were also seen at Blubberhouses, Norwood Edge, Oxenhope, and the Washburn Valley.

Despite these many reports, there was comparatively little definite proof of breeding. This came from five locations. Two young were ringed at Howgill Wood, one at Weston (where there were four young in all), and three at a private site. Birds also bred at Middleton Woods and St. Ives, in addition to which there were several sightings of adults carrying prey into the woods around Barden. Clearly, this aspect is somewhat under-recorded.