The weather during early April was particularly cold with northerly winds dominating. During the second week there was a westerly air flow with rain and typical April weather of showers and more sustained rain. The latter two weeks were noticeably warmer and brighter and spring had duly arrived by the end of the month with warm sunshine and dry days.

It was natural to expect a slowing in the flow of migrants into the country, but generally this was not so, Swallows had been seen by the 2nd April over the Aire Valley and Sand Martins were flooding into Wharfedale with over 50 at Knotford Nook (2nd). A colony of Sand Martins had been established at Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits and at Ponden Reservoir, where they were using drainage pipes as nest sites and. A House Martin was seen over Baildon Green (3rd) and at Knotord Nook (5th).

Chiffchaffs were singing at many places from the 1st of the month and Willow Warblers were heard for the first time at Otley Wetland on the 9th and three days later, Blackcap could be heard at Dob Park. Whitethroats were in the area from the 23rd with a few seen at a variety of locations including the canal bank at Thackley, Shibden Head and Stockbridge. Other warblers reported were Wood Warblers in Strid Woods, Garden Warbler and Sedge Warbler at Marley, a Grasshopper Warbler by the Glen Road at Baildon and a Lesser Whitethroat in Bradford City Centre (28th).

Redshanks were reported from numerous places including Otley Wetland (2nd) Leeshaw Reservoir (3rd), Swinsty Reservoir (3rd), Stockbridge (5th), Sandbeds (9th), Reva (16th), Whetstone Gate (23rd) and Scargill Reservoir (28th). Other wader reports have included a Green Sandpiper at Caldene Fields, Low Moor (8th and 9th), Snipe in the fields around Glovershaw and at Whetstone Gate, a Wimbrel over Wilsden (23rd) and Greenshank from a private site (20th). The first Common Sandpipers passed through Birdholme on the 16th and over Keighley Moor (22nd), they were also reported from Otley Wetland (23rd) and the River Wharfe at Strid Woods (25th). A Dunlin was noted at Birdholme on the 27th.

Watching for Wheatears has proved particularly profitable with a total of 228 being reported from a wide variety of locations including Trough Lane, Oxenhope, Fly Flatts, Glovershaw, Baildon, Caldene Fields, Barden, Otley Wetland and Nab Water Lane.

An unusual report concerned a Woodcock over Bradford City Centre at 8.20am on the 3rd and sightings of ‘roding’ males came from St. Ives (10th), Shipley Glen, Sandwith Moor Plantation and Timble Ings.

On the 2nd large flocks of Fieldfares were reported, with numbers of over 200 from two places in the north of the region, and a report of over a 1000 in the Sandwith Moor area on the 7th. Fieldfares continued to be seen, albeit in much smaller numbers, until the end of the month with ten at John o’ Gaunts (28th) and three at Doe Park (30th). Other winter visitors still present included 30 Waxwings in a Harden garden (10th), a male Brambling in Queensbury (2nd) and three at Riddlesden (15th). There were 25 Crosbills at Timble Ings (15th) and three at Sandwith Moor Plantation. 23 Redpolls were seen at Toad Holes Beck (23rd).

Good views could be had of a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in Shipley Glen during early April, and at a private site where there is early evidence of breeding taking place. A bird was also seen in Middleton Woods, Ilkley (23rd).

Golden Plover had assembled at Sandwith Moor in a very large flock, where over 2000 were noted on the 20th, much smaller flocks were seen at Sconce (14th) and by Golcar Farm (29th).

The only reports of Yellowhammer were from the Sconce Lane and Glovershaw area of Baildon where up to four males were heard at various times during the month.
Redstarts began appearing in the area from the 26th April with Timble and John o’ Gaunts being the best places to see these attractive birds.

Two Common Terns appeared at Otley Wetland on 26th April.

Members watching for raptors reported sightings of Osprey (7th, 14th and 18th), Goshawk (2nd) as well as Peregrines, Red Kites, Buzzards, Short-eared Owls , Hen Harrier, Merlin and a number of Ravens over the high moorlands. Last year’s successful breeding bird, the Long-eared Owl has already been located and seen performing their wing-clapping display.
Tree Pipits were first noted on the 15th at Barden Fell along with an unusually high number of seven Ring Ouzels. Another Ring Ouzel was at Birdholme on the following day, as were two birds on the 29th.

Eight Twite were seen around Leeshaw Reservoir on 15th and 20 at Fly Flatts on the last day of April.

The first Yellow Wagtail into the area was reported from Birdholme (16th) and another was noted at Leeshaw (30th).

The first report of a Pied Flycatcher was on 17th April at Strid Woods where the boxes are being used. A Spotted Flycatcher was noted at Beamsley (27th).

The first Cuckoos were heard at Burley Woodhead and around Lower Barden Reservoir (22nd) and on the next day, the first report of a Swift came from Wharfedale.

A few ducks were reported from around the area, namely a Gadwall at Otley Wetland (2nd), a Shelduck at Stockbridge (23rd), a pair of Shoveler at Knotford Nook (24th), a pair of Mandarins at Strid Woods (25th). An early breeding record came from Kildwick where a Goosander was seen carrying five young birds.

Of the unusual reports a White Stork over Saltaire on the 11th April.