Up to 45 Mandarin Ducks were present on the River Wharfe at Strid Woods

Photo: Brian Vickers ©

Waxwing seemed to be everywhere with a high of over 300 in Keighley.

Photo: Brian Sumner ©

Sightings

December was a particularly mild month with very pleasant seasonal weather until the 17th when there was a change to more unsettled conditions. The second half brought strong winds and an increase in precipitation with a light snow shower on Christmas Day and some frosty nights.

At Strid Woods, Mandarin numbers continued to hold up well and by the end of December a total of 45 birds were noted (20 females and 25 males). This probably is the highest every recorded in the BOG area. Waxwings were also much in evidence, with significant numbers being seen on most days throughout the area. A high of over 300 was noted by the Keighley Medical Centre on the 28th and other sizeable flocks were seen by Crossflatts Railway Station, Bingley Little Theatre, Bogthorn Oakworth, and Jacob’s Well, Bradford. One or two were found dead after flying into a window on the toilet block in Ilkley main car park.
Soil Hill recorded a Jack Snipe on the 3rd, and this bird was present for a week or so. A Snow Bunting was there on the 7th.

On the 5th at Knotford Nook, an impressive 345 Coot, 5 Gadwall, 9 Little Grebe, and on the 7th a Scaup was on the lake. On this day at Tong Park Reservoir a Whooper Swan was there and it stayed around for a few days. Three very vocal Whoopers were on Thruscross Reservoir on the 26th. Boxing Day birders on Dolphin Lane Cullingworth recorded over 400 Lapwing. A similar number of Lapwing were present at Knotford and by the lake at Farnley a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and a Willow Tit. There were at least two Water Rail present at Stockbridge throughout the month. On the 20th December, two female Hawfinch were seen, on the north side of Timble Wood. They were to remain there until into the New Year. Brambling were recorded in reasonable flocks at Timble and on the Chevin. Numbers of Golden Plover at Sandwith Moor had reached 400 by the end of the month and Pinkfooted Geese were on the move towards the North West with about 300 seen passing over Shipley.