Another record year with nine pairs located at three sites, yielding a minimum of 18 young. At one site both males and females were heard calling in February with five pairs successfully raising at least twelve young. The young birds were only about 300 meters apart (AJ, JLT et al). At another site three pairs reared at least five young (JMM) and at a third site there was one calling youngster in early August (RS). There is undoubtedly more breeding as previous sites and vast areas of suitable habitat went un-checked. Evidence of this was seen when a young bird was taken into care from a previously unknown breeding site in the west of the recording area (HBC).

Analysis of pellets from the first site mentioned showed that prey included 89 Field Voles, 12 Wood Mice, four Pygmy Shrews, two Frogs and a bird.

Even with a very half-hearted breeding survey, this year was still the most successful since BOG was formed. A total of 13 pairs was found, fledging a minimum of 28 young birds between them.

At the main site, pairs were noted duet calling in early spring, and this led to seven pairs breeding, with at least 17 young being located. One of the young birds was ringed.

At another regular breeding area two pairs reared three young, whilst at a site where breeding was noted two years ago, three young were fledged this year.

A new location, near a 1997 breeding site, had two pairs with three and one young respectively, and a further young bird was seen near another new site.(AJ, PR, SR, RS, JLT et al ).

This species continues to maintain its recent and remarkable progress in the recording area, thanks in no small part to those members who have enthusiastically encouraged and monitored this (AJ, PRo, RS, JLT).

In 2005, a total of eleven pairs were proved to have bred, raising a minimum of 22 young. It was encouraging that at least two pairs used the nesting baskets which have been erected at the principal breeding sites. In summary, successful breeding took place as follows:
Site 1 : Five pairs raised a minimum of ten young, of which five were ringed.
Site 2 : Two pairs produced a minimum of three young.
Site 3 : Three pairs, with at least five young, and very probably more than this.
Site 4 : This is a newly-discovered location, away from the main breeding areas, and where a pair fledged four young, although one was later discovered dead.

Near Site 4, and just outside the recording area, a different pair was thought to have bred, and birds were seen hunting over the Group area. Similarly, birds were also seen hunting over another part of the BOG area, servicing another nest just outside it. Overall, the position is clearly healthy, and other pairs are probably waiting to be discovered.

There were no other records, apart from birds calling at one breeding site in October.