February was mild and at times rather wet, but there were some quiet, bright days later in the month which gave the feeling that spring was just around the corner. The stars of the month were undoubtedly a Hawfinch, first seen in January, that made regular daily appearances in the trees by the mansion at St. Ives and three lovely Snow Buntings that seemed very contented as they fed close by the car park on Glovershaw Lane, Baildon. The birds were first seen on the 6th, but by the end of the month just two remained.

The Waxwing wave continued to lap over the Aire Valley, with an occasional report from Wharfedale where 29 birds had congregated in Nelson Road, Ilkley (1st). However, eight reports came from Riddlesden, Crossflatts, Eldwick, Keighley areas, with the biggest flock, over 75, being seen by the Netto on the Canterbury Estate in Bradford.

During this time our attention was grabbed by the number of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll that were visiting the area. Stockbridge, and nearby Riddlesden were certainly the places to catch sight of all three species. Our alert members reported many Siskins, the largest flock holding about 30 and there was also an excellent gathering of 20 Brambling in the same garden on the 19th. A member reported a similar flock of Siskin at John o’ Gaunt’s (27th). Lesser Redpolls were also present in slightly smaller numbers, but the most notable sighting was a Common (Meally) Redpoll which was recorded and photographed whilst feeding in two nearby Riddlesden gardens.

At the beginning of the month, a Glaucous Gull flew over the Barden area (3rd) and an adult Herring Gull passed over Riddlesden (28th).

A Peregrine was regularly noted in the Keighley area, Buzzards were seen across the area and a Raven turned up at Reva and another was seen on the western end of Rombalds Moor.

The flooded Aire Valley in the early part of the month, attracted good numbers of birds to the Cononley area with 150 Teal, over 130 Wigeon and 1000 plus Lapwing present whilst a Shelduck and a few Pintail moved in for a short time (9th & 10th). The Wharfedale reserves held good numbers of Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye as well as a male Pintail (27th). At Lindley, 41 Oystercatchers were feeding in a field adjacent to the reservoir (27th) and at Denton Hall, 118 Curlew had gathered (17th), with an even bigger congregation of about 250 at John o’ Gaunt’s (27th).

The month ended with another report of a Hawfinch, this time from the Tong Park area of Baildon, but further investigation was required.

February was a cold, miserable month with frequent snow showers and only limited opportunities for birders.

The mass movement of Pink-footed Geese over the area was somewhat patchy with skeins seen at the beginning of the month when 500 birds passed over Yeadon Tarn (3rd) and again on the 7th when 150 were reported over Ogden Reservoir. The poor weather during the rest of February may have delayed a sustained movement, but 300 passed over Cottingley (15th) and at the end of the month, when the conditions had improved, a flock of 120 passed over Stainburn Moor (27th) heading towards the north.

A flock of 60 or more Siskins were reported at St. Ives (28th) and similar flocks were seen at the private wetland site (6th) and near Cavendish Pavilion (26th). Brambling and Redpoll made surprise visits to gardens in Baildon (19th) and Riddlesden (21st). 15 Waxwing turned up at Baildon Green (4th), a single bird was seen in Shipley (19th) and two Tree Sparrows were feeding near Beaverdyke Reservoir. A Firecrest was seen occasionally at Crag Wood, Apperley Bridge for a few days from the 14th to the end of the month. Observers at Stainburn Moor had the pleasure of recording a Willow Tit (20th) and at nearby Beaverdyke a member reported a Marsh Tit (27th). 16 Crossbills were noted at Timble (14th) and a couple of birds went over St. Ives (28th). A flock of 32 Goldfinch were feeding at Stockbridge (21st) and at the private wetlands, 50 Reed Buntings were drawn into roost (6th).

Water Rails were often seen at Stockbridge and the private wetland site and on Stainburn Moor 200 Golden Plover had gathered (27th).

A female Red-brested Merganser was seen amongst the Goosanders at Yeadon Tarn (2nd), but duck numbers were again disappointing with the exception being Goldeneye, with 26 at Knotford Nook and 18 at the nearby private wetland site (11th).

A pair of Hen Harriers moved through the Stainburn Moor area where, during lengthy observations, ten Red Kite were seen (14th) and a female Merlin gave a spectacular masterclass in aerobatics as it chased a Skylark for a prolonged period. Surprise of the month was a Merlin which briefly visited a Riddlesden garden where the feeders were heavily used by local passerines.

The first part of February was cold, with lying snow and ice, but thereafter the weather changed to milder settled conditions with some early signs of spring towards the end of the month. The presence of Waxwings was again most notable with flocks reported from as far apart as Ilkley, Bingley, Thackley and Baildon. A group of 65 was seen in Beverley Rise, Ilkley (1st), 25 in the Ferncliffe Road area of Bingley (7th), 12 over Thackley (10th) and two days later 30 appeared in Redcar Road, Greengates. The reports continued over the Valentine’s weekend, with 95 resting in a Baildon garden, followed the next day with a smaller flock of 44 in the same tree and ten seen on the other side of Shipley Glen, in Eldwick. A small number were reported in Shann Lane, Keighley (22nd), but in the same vicinity, a member filmed the flocking of about 200 Waxwings on a tall Rowan tree.

Spectacular movements of Pink-footed Geese, returning from their wintering grounds on the east coast, were witnessed from 14th to 20th of the month. The most notable were 16 skeins, with up to 400 birds, passing over Oxenhope during a half hour period (20th), and the observer estimating over 2500 birds!

The icy conditions early in the month prompted an influx of ducks with over 80 Wigeon on the partly frozen Knotford Nook (15th) along with 31 Goldeneye and 24 Tufted Duck. Further up the valley at the private wetland site another 14 Goldeneye had assembled with up to eight Pochard (14th). On that weekend a pair of Gadwall were seen here and 18 Oystercatcher were also reported from the mostly frozen wetland.

An over-wintering Chiffchaff attracted attention at Dowley Gap where up to a hundred Pied Wagtails spent most of the month along with 14 Grey Wagtails (15th). There were two reports of Little Egret at Snaygill (14th and 23rd), a Bittern made a short visit to the Country Park at Horton Bank Top in Bradford and a Red-necked Grebe spent a few hours at Otley Wetland (13th). A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (18th) and a single bird were seen in Hirst Wood, Shipley. Across the river, 16 Grey Herons had gathered at roost in Shipley Glen (23rd) where a pair of Dippers had returned to last year’s breeding site. This species was also reported from various spots along the river Wharfe and on the Aire at Apperley Bridge. A nice flock of 39 Siskin were feeding in Toad Holes Beck Lane (2nd), a Brambling at the private wetland site and six Redpoll at Stockbridge (22nd).

This was the sunniest February on record, with bright clear skies throughout the first three weeks giving way to very windy conditions and some rain towards the end of the month.

It was generally, a poor month for outstanding sightings. A drake Scaup and a drake Red-crested Pochard showed well at the private wetlands site in Wharfedale until about the 17th, and a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen and photographed in Bull Copy Woods, Saltaire (9th). Another LSW was reported in the Aire Valley beneath Larch Wood (10th).

The largest flocks of Lapwings were seen at Redcar Tarn (350) and Cononley Ings (400+) during the first week of February and by the end of the month these birds had dispersed to their breeding territories. Oystercatchers had made a return to the area’s water courses and mating was observed at Stockbridge (3rd) and 37 of these waders had assembled at the private wetland site (17th). Two Water Rails were spending the month at Stockbridge, 275 Curlews had gathered at the private wetland site (17th) and reports of Golden Plover flocks came from Glovershaw, Oxenhope Moor and Round Hill.

Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were seen over the area during the latter part of January and this trend continued into early February, the largest groups being 240 over Keighley (9th) and 150 over Fly Flatts (10th). Duck numbers continued to be very poor, with only isolated reports of reasonable numbers. There was a count of 54 Wigeon at Knotford Nook (17th), where three Gadwall spent a few days and 73 Teal on the rapidly draining Cononley Ings (8th). Pochard were only reported at the private wetlands, John o’ Gaunts and Yeadon Tarn.

Male and female Peregrines were reported throughout the month in the Keighley area in both the urban and the surrounding moorland areas. Red Kites and Buzzards were regularly reported from Wharfedale, but a Buzzard over the centre of Keighley (17th) and four souring over Cononley Ings (10th) are worthy of special mention. At an undisclosed site, a female Goshawk was seen perched and later in the morning a male was seen close by. In Upper Wharfedale, four Short-eared Owls were reported hunting over moorland (12th).

Small numbers of Siskin were identified in Airedale with 22 at St. Ives (9th) and at the private wetland site in Wharfedale where over 20 were regularly seen. It was here that a leucistic Brambling was watched and photographed (27th), and during the earlier part of the month up to four Common Redpoll were recorded. Timble was clinging onto its wintering Crossbills with up to 16 seen there (15th).

Interesting locations for Dippers included Silsden Beck near the industrial estate, Myrtle Park and at Hirstwood Weir. Pairs of Goosanders were seen at many places along the River Aire. Stonechats were reported from Glovershaw, Barden Moor, Keighley Moor, Rombalds Moor, John o’ Gaunts, Round Hill and Nab End.

An over-wintering female Blackcap was reported from a Bingley garden (6th & 11th) and four Waxwings were seen feeding in a decorative garden shrub in this area (15th).About 120 Pied Wagtails were seen roosting in the centre of Keighley near the Focus store whilst another 100 had gathered to feed on the filter beds at Dowley Gap.

Exotic bird of the month was an Alexandrine Parakeet which was seen by members around Saltaire as it imitated some of the resident birds.

The weather during February was, for the most part, generally very mild, with westerly winds, at times very strong. A touch of winter weather descended early in the month before the more normal mild air-flow returned.

The American Robin that had attracted ‘birders’ from around the country stayed until the 14th and the over-wintering Firecrest and Shorelark were still present throughout the month at Dowley Gap and Queensbury. Interest switched to Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers that had been seen regularly from the 3rd at a couple of locations in Shipley Glen. A single male bird and a pair of birds were noted. A member also reported a male bird in Middleton Woods, Ilkley.

Lapwings were gathering at various places, most notably at Lower Barden Reservoir where a flock of up to 3000 was recorded (2nd). Elsewhere, Ten Yards Lane Thornton (1st), Denton Hall (7th), Redcar Tarn (11th), Glovershaw (13th), Timble (15th) had good flocks of between 100 and 300, but at Otley Wetland 500 had assembled (15th). Golden Plovers were also coming together in bigger groups with 100 on the water-logged fields of Glovershaw (23rd).

Other waders to be reported included Curlews which were congregating in the Wharfe Valley with over 500 roosting at Otley Wetland together with 50 Oystercatchers (7th). It’s possible that most of the Curlews were feeding during the daylight hours on Askwith Moor where up to 300 had been observed. At the end of the month 93 Curlews were counted at Silsden Ings. Very few reports of Snipe were received, but seven being flushed by a marauding Sparrowhawk near Golcar Farm, Glovershaw was a fine sight (23rd). Two Snipe were noted at Stockbridge (25th), on the same day that a Redshank briefly called.

Geese movements were again well recorded the highest being 600 Pink-feet passing over East Riddlesden Hall (1st) and 300, three days later, over the same area.

It has been a very poor winter period for ducks and the trend continued through February, with a few notable exceptions being a pair of Gadwall at Knotford (7th), a pair of Shovelers at Otley Wetland (15th) and on the same day there were 20 Goldeneyes at this location.

Stonechats were reported from around the area, at such places as Glovershaw, Fly Flatts (a pair on the 4th), Thornton Moor (a pair on the 24th), Middleton Moor, Hazlewood Moor and Sconce, where a Yellowhammer was seen on the 20th. It was in this area where a Short-eared Owl was seen late in the afternoon on three occasions during the month an another was reported over Oxenhope Moor (23rd). Skylarks have also returned to the moorland areas and Twite continued to be seen on the high ground around Fly Flatts and Soil Hill, and it was here that a Snow Bunting was present on the 3rd and two more were seen at Thornton Moor on the 24th.

The very mild weather had encouraged butterflies out of hibernation and early breeders included a Song Thrush carrying food and a Blackbird feeding a large fledgling.

February 2006 was a much cooler month than any of the preceding months of winter. There was a cold spell during the first few days and then the first real precipitation of the year occurred during the middle of the month. February ended on a very cold note with night frosts and low daytime temperatures caused by a northerly wind that brought cloudless skies.

The numbers of ducks was still quite low for this season, with Otley Wetland Reserve recording 13 Wigeon, 23 Pochard, 23 Goldeneye and 38 Tufted Ducks (5th). At Silsden Reservoir there were 40 Tufted Ducks on the 11th, and the next day 23 at Redcar Tarn. A male Shoveler was at Knotford on the 15th and two Gadwall were seen at a small private lake in the Washburn.Pink-footed Geese passing over the area included 80 at Lindley (11th) and 150 over Haworth on this day and 150 over Shipley on the 14th.

The Redcar Tarn area hosted 370 Lapwing (4th) and Glovershaw numbers were beginning to grow with 200 on the 14th.A Jack Snipe was seen at Otley Wetland on the 5th and members at Stockbridge continued to notice the presence of Water Rails with up to three seen during the month.
A male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was sighted along the High Coach Road Baildon (6th) and Lindley Trout Farm, where a pair was unsuccessfully enticed into a net and at Baxter’s Pond in St. Ives, where a male bird was espied in the high branches.The most spectacular raptor movement occurred on the 9th, when a Marsh Harrier was seen heading north-west from the Barden watch-point. It was from here that Red Kite, Buzzard, Raven and Sparrowhawk were all recorded during the month.

There were singing Dippers on the River Aire at Mrytle Park (4th) and at Ponden Reservoir a pair was noted (12th). They were nicely spaced along the Wharfe with five on territory between Cavendish and Barden Bridge.A Blackcap is regularly visiting Crossflatts garden to feed on rotting apples and one was also noted in a garden at nearby Riddlesden. 60 Siskins were seen at Stockbridge (12th) and on this day, 300 Starlings were feeding in fields alongside Moor Lane at Askwith. Waxwings were again seen from the Burley-in-Wharfedale by-pass where they have been regulars now for many weeks. Exotic species noted by our observers included a female Wood Duck at Otley Old Bridge and the return of the Ring-necked Teal amongst the Mallards on the canal at Dowley Gap.

The month ended with clear blue skies and a raw northerly blowing, but a Skylark was back on Soil Hill and a Red Kite had penetrated as far as Ben Rhydding.

After the continuing mild weather, February certainly had a sting in its tail with night frosts, snow, but also some wonderfully sunny, clear days.

Redwings continued to use the Grange conifer plantation, about half a mile east of Kildwick. On the 2nd 4650 were counted, most of the birds appearing in small parties and then diving into the trees, a male Sparrowhawk added to the entertainment, as it flew in and out without appearing to succeed in its quest. At about this time in Bowling Back Lane, Bradford a flock of 500 Lapwing were settling down to roost.Buzzard numbers were impressive throughout the month, particularly in the Wharfe Valley where they seem to be establishing a stronghold and Red Kites were often seen in this area. By the 5th, Lindley Wood Reservoir had 89 Goosander and flocks of Siskin with a few Redpoll were reported from Sun Lane, St. Ives and the Wharfe Valley. Up to three Jack Snipe were noted at Otley Wetlands Reserve (12th) and a single bird on Soil Hill.

A female Lesser-Spotted Woodpecker was again seen by the Mobile Homes on the western side of Shipley Glen (8th).A first winter Tundra Bean Goose was amongst the Greylags at Leeshaw on the 14th and was still there as the month drew to a close. 30 Brambling were recorded at Bolton Abbey, east of the stepping-stones and seven oystercatchers were on this stretch of the river (17th). Redpolls were seen more widely in the Aire Valley, by end of the month there had been six at Stockbridge (27th) and ten on Baildon Bank (25th). Golden Plovers were also making an appearance around the region with 150 over Thornton Moor (19th), 70 Weecher (26th), 100 in the Wharfe Valley (16th) and 200 at Leeshaw (20th).

Yellowhammer numbers were so far disappointing, with only two males and one female at the feeding site in Sconce Lane (26th). Skylarks were also making an appearance with a high of six at Reva (16th) and a few at St. Ives and Soil Hill. A flock of 50 Goldfinch (5th) in Sun Lane and a count of five Dippers at Goit Stock, Harden was certainly cheerful news and the exotica this month was provided by a Harris Hawk seen being ‘mobbed’ by magpies over Dowley Gap.