One observer (PR) located five nests containing 21 young (5:5:4:4:3). Another pair was present nearby but no evidence of breeding was forthcoming.

This information only covers a relatively small area and no breeding records were submitted for vast areas of suitable habitat where merlins are known to breed and were seen during the summer this year. Away from the breeding areas, only recorded at Denholme Clough, Cold Edge Dams, and Soil Hill with three records coming from the Sandwith Moor/Norwood Lane area during the winter months.

This species is still competing with Sparrowhawk as the recording area’s commonest raptor.

Recently-erected nest-boxes in the Wharfe and Washburn Valleys yielded five and six young respectively, with two natural sites giving a further eight young, all of which were ringed (AJ,PR). Elsewhere, family parties were noted at various sites including Burley Woodhead, Kex Gill, Leathley and Luddenden Dean.

The many Sparrowhawk records are surpassed by this species, which mustered 360, though, here again, matters are put into perspective by there being 165 submissions from Barden Scale alone. As with Sparrowhawk, there is also a scarcity of records for urban and suburban areas, pointing to under-recording rather than a lack of birds.

Good numbers of birds were recorded throughout, but particularly from Barden, where numbers were doubtless boosted by post-breeding family parties, and where up to twelve birds could be seen in August.

Displaying birds were seen at Otley Wetland and Baildon, and mating took place at Baildon Bank and Stockbridge, but didn’t appear to lead to breeding. Circumstantial evidence of this came from Thornton Moor Reservoir, Glovershaw and Barden, where juvenile birds were seen, and, as already indicated, family parties at the latter location. Additionally, food-carrying was observed at a private site.

Breeding was proved in respect of pairs using nest-boxes at three locations from which a total of thirteen young birds were ringed. It was also definitely established at natural nest sites at Leeming, Luddenden Dean, Leeshaw, Dob Park, Weston, Howgill Wood and Denton. Young were ringed at Dob Park and Howgill and the total number of young fledged at natural sites was at least 21. One observer commented that breeding did not take place at a previously used site in Bingley, despite birds being still present in the area.