August was a very wet month, it probably rained within every twenty-four period and this bad weather seriously affected the movement of birds in what is the start of migration. With so much lying water across the low ground, there were some reports of waders, particularly in the Aire Valley around Snaygill and Cononley Ings. Three Green Sandpipers were located at the former (8th) and two at the latter location (15th), a single at Leeshaw (8th), and another earlier at Scargill Reservoir (1st). A Redshank was noted at the moorland watch-point (3rd), three at Scargill Reservoir (8th), three at Cononley Ings (15th), a Greenshank, and a group of six Ringed Plovers at the moorland watch-point (24th). On this date, three Dunlin (24th) were present here, two days earlier there were two at Snaygill Ings and on the previous day (21st), two Black-tailed Godwits were feeding on Silsden Reservoir. A Grey Plover was the only other wader of note being reported form the moorland watch-point (17th). On the same day an Arctic Tern was observed fishing in Lindley Reservoir. On the 9th, at Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits, a Little Egret was seen heading towards Otley.

At least 3 cream-crowned Marsh Harriers, possibly four, passed through the Wharfe Valley (25th) another was seen here earlier in the month whilst a single bird was located in the south of the region at Leeshaw (8th). An adult Osprey was also seen in the Wharfe Valley (29th) and a Hobby went through Snaygill Ings (15th). A pair of Sparrowhawks, with juveniles was a highlight at St. Ives (11th), whilst an adult was seen being ‘mobbed’ by Kestrels at Bradup (15th) and similarly, a gathering of 80 Swallows were performing the same act on a bird over Glovershaw (30th).

Wheatear migration was underway but only with limited numbers noted. A total of 136 were recorded at the following places: the moorland watch-point, Hazelwood Moor, Fly Flatts, Glovershaw, Trough Lane, Leeshaw and Nab Water Lane, Oxenhope with the largest aggregate of 70 birds. The passage of Whinchats was rather slow and intermittent, but Whetstone Gate, Nab Water Lane, Trough Lane and Glovershaw produced singles or pairs. Breeding Stonechats, with juveniles were seen throughout the month alongside the Glen Road at Glovershaw and at Bradup.

The only visiting Gull of note was an adult Yellow Legged Gull, seen resting in a field with LBB gulls, near Cullingworth (2nd). The last great movement of Swifts took place on the 11th when observers at Stockbridge and Glovershaw reported birds passing at a rate of about 50 per hour. Yellow Wagtails moving south were once more seen at the moorland watch-point (23rd) and at Marley Playing Fields (30th).

Small numbers of Sedge Warblers were reported from Skipton Sewage Works, Snaygill Ings and Whitethroats were present at Stockbridge and a single at Glovershaw. Whilst towards the end of the month, a Spotted Flycatcher was seen here and at Marley Playing Fields. Glovershaw also provided the only recorded sightings of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (5th), a Short-eared Owl (22nd), and a family of eight Grey Partridges were flushed from the long grass (23rd). It was also in this area that the ripened berries of Rowan trees attracted a flock of up to 20 Mistle Thrush, whilst at least three Green Woodpeckers were actively feeding and moving around Shipley Glen.