August was a mainly dry month with a slightly unsettled period during the second and third weeks. Any rain that did fall, on the fairly saturated ground, produced some flooded areas, particularly around Silsden and Cononley and this encouraged a few waders. Elsewhere, the water levels remained very high and waders were scarcely seen. A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was seen at Silsden Floods (2nd) and a Green Sandpiper flew over the Stockbridge Reserve on the 26th. Juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were present at Thornton Moor Reservoir (11th) and Cononley Ings (19th) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was noted at the former (15th). Seven Common Scoters were seen on Thornton Moor Reservoir early in the month (6th).

Observing Wheatears, again proved to be profitable with good numbers seen on return migration. Reports were received from many of the usual spots including Trough Lane, Thornton Moor Reservoir, Fly Flatts, Nab Water Lane, Whetstone Gate, Bradup and Glovershaw. Up to 200 had been reported throughout the month with the most remarkable being a count of 31 at Fly Flatts on the 14th. Stonechats and Whinchats have also been much in evidence with records of them appearing in a variety of places. Adult Stonechats, feeding recently fledged juveniles, were seen on various occasions, throughout the month, at Nab Water Lane, Whetstone Allotment and Glovershaw. Whinchats were seen in similar family flocks at Nab Water Lane, Soil Hill, Fly Flatts, Trough Lane, Glovershaw and Whetstone Area. Two Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit were trapped and ringed at Kex Gill (24th), and two Crossbills were reported from Timble.

Ospreys were again sighted as they flew south through our area, with reports of two birds passing through Oxenhope (3rd) and singles over Lower Barden, where one was present for two days (23rd and 24th). Other birds on migration included Spotted Flycatcher which passed through Paul Clough, where a family party of six birds were seen (10th).

There were only a few interesting visitors during the month, but pride of place must go to an adult Black Redstart that appeared on Soil Hill towards the end of the month. A Hobby was seen ‘hawking’ for insects near the dis-used reservoir in St. Ives (27th) and other reports of these exciting birds came from Wharfedale (2nd, 20th and 25th). A juvenile Marsh Harrier passed over Barden Scale on the 29th and Short-eared Owls were seen on Soil Hill and at Thornton Moor.

The most intriguing sightings concerned a juvenile Long-eared Owl in St. Ives near Lady Blantyre's Rock (22nd) and two juvenile Sedge Warblers, obviously on passage, seen in one of the few bushes on Soil Hill (28th). The regulars at Stockbridge Reserve were pleased to report breeding Reed Warblers which successfully raised two young birds.