April was a cool month dominated by winds from the north or north-east for the first three weeks which then developed into an unsettled period with rain and showers as the wind changed to the north west.

There were some spectacular reports of migrating birds moving through the area mixed with sightings of those returning to breed. The four Waxwings, which were first seen in Bingley during March, continued to feed in trees in the Church Street area until finally reported on the 20th. Observers decided that they formed a family group of two adults and two first year juveniles.

Of the summer migrants, a Grasshopper Warbler at Stockbridge attracted member’s attention (24th), as did a single Dotterel on Soil Hill which also arrived on the 27th, when there was an influx of birds into the area. Included in this movement was a Montegu’s Harrier seen flying north, west of Soil Hill (27th) and Ospreys passed our watchpoints on the 3rd, 4th and 10th. There was the sighting of four different Terns: Arctic Tern (18th), Common Tern, Sandwich Tern (27th) all at the Private Wetlands and Little Tern at Skipton Sewage Works (28th). Three Yellow Wagtails were at John o’ Gaunt’s (20th) and two at Trough Lane (28th) and there was also a Black Redstart near Queensbury (13th), seven Ring Ouzels at Nab End, near Silsden (18th) and the first Cuckoo was heard at Barden (25th). Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts could be seen using boxes at Strid Wood and Folly Hall Wood and Tree Pipits were becoming established amongst the felled plantations at Timble and Stainburn.

Double-figure counts of Sand Martins were seen in the early part of the month with over 50 at Knotford Nook on the 6th and two days earlier, a couple of Swallows crossed Warley Moor. The first Swifts were first seen in the Aire Valley on the 26th.

Over 250 returning Wheatears were recorded in good numbers, if not to same amazing levels as in 2007, their presence was noted at the usual locations around Oxenhope, Glovershaw, Whetstone Gate and Barden.

Of the waders, there were two Black-tailed Godwits on the flooded fields at Snaygill (2nd), a Dunlin at Bradup, Common Sandpipers on the Wharfe, and small numbers of Redshank and Snipe were seen returning to our upland areas. At Kex Gill a Ringed Plover (27th) and 21 Oystercatchers (8th) were there, whilst three reports of Little Ringed Plovers in the Aire Valley were received and156 Golden Plovers, in their full breeding plumage, had gathered at Birch Close Lane (20th).

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers had been noted at two locations: a private lake in Wharfedale (1st) and in Hirst Wood, Saltaire, where a pair of birds were keenly watched (3rd).

Up to four pairs of Stonechats were established on Baildon Moor where a female was seen carrying nesting materials (4th) and at Barden Moor where six males were prominent (25th). The first Whinchat was reported on the 28th and a Marsh Tit was at John o’ Gaunt’s where they have been seen in the past (20th).

The Red-throated Diver that was present during March was still on Embsay Reservoir (6th) and the Red-crested Pochard was occasionally seen at the private wetland site.