December was a mild month with heavy rain during the first part giving way to a settled period in which fog and mist predominated. The year ended with strong winds and blustery showers. The highlights during this period came at the month’s end when a Firecrest was seen at Dowley Gap Sewage Works on the 19th and a Shorelark was present at Catherine Slack, near Queensbury from the 27th. Both birds were still at these sites at the end of the year. Other sightings were much more predictable with the heavy rain providing good conditions for ducks, waders and gulls.

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Bradley Ings (19th) and an adult at Cullingworth Fields (31st). Silsden Floods had attracted over 3000 Black-headed Gulls (17th), at Cullingworth Fields there were 1200 (24th) and the roost at Embsay Reservoir totaled 3400 (23rd). 500 Common Gulls were present at Cullingworth (24th).

The flooded area at Silsden was occupied by 400 Lapwings (17th) and 300 were counted at John o’ Gaunts (27th). Bowling Back Lane in Bradford is often home to congregating Lapwings and there were 300 there on the 18th. Reports of Golden Plovers came from Redcar Tarn (75 on the 9th), and Penny Pot Lane, John o’ Gaunts where there were 150 in fields (27th). At Denton Park, 165 Curlew were feeding at the beginning of December.

A Knot was on the shoreline at Fly Flatts (24th), three Ruff were noted at Cononley Ings (8th) when there was lots of water and a Jack Snipe was at Soil Hill (19th). Stockbridge was the place to see Water Rails with three birds present throughout the month and Woodcock were reported from Harden Moor and Milnerfields, Gilstead.

Four Whooper Swans flew low heading towards Halifax (4th) and 175 Pink-footed Geese went north-westwards over Shipley Glen (21st).

Tufted Ducks were reported from Redcar Tarn (28 on the 24th), there were over 30 at Chelker Reservoir (3rd), and 14 at Silsden Reservoir (17th). 75 Teal were seen at Sandbeds (6th) and 36 were at Cononley Ings (8th). There was also two Pintails at Farnhill Ings (18th) and 14 Goosander at St. Ives (2nd). Mandarin Ducks continued to be reported from the Strid Wood area, but a surprise was a male bird which was found at Hirst Wood, Saltaire.

Short-eared Owls were seen over Sconce Lane, Baildon, Nosker Brow (2nd) and over the Halifax road beyond Oxenhope (5th).

Over-wintering birds included a female Blackcap at Stockbridge (2nd) and a male bird along the River Aire at Bingley (22nd) whilst another was seen feeding amongst ivy in Riddlesden (24th). Member’s watching for the Firecrest at Dowley Gap (19th) noticed a Chiffchaff and other’s sighted 17 Redpoll feeding in Hirst Wood (22nd) and 70 Siskin (26th). Stockbridge was the place to see Bullfinches with six there on the 24th.

Brambling numbers were comparatively low but there was a flock of 40 seen with Chaffinches in the area of the Strid (13th), St. Ives (2nd) and Swinsty (4th). Stonechats were reported from Whetstone Gate, Bradup, Kex Gill and Baildon Moor and surprisingly Sandbeds (19th). A female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen by the small private lake at Farnley(31st).