Mandarin Duck numbers reached 45 at the Strid during the month. photo: Brian Vickers ©
350 Coot spent most January at Knotford. photo: Brian Vickers ©
January was a mild, dry month, noteworthy for three storms, with very strong winds in the early part of the month.
It was a quiet month for the range and number of birds noted, although two exotic species were reported, a Ringed Teal on the canal at Bingley (1st) and an unidentified falcon with jesses, furiously attacking pigeons over Westgate, Bradford Centre. The numbers of Mandarins at the Strid reached 45 (20 male and 25 female) on the 4th and thereafter they began to show signs of dispersing. A female Hawfinch was again reported from Timble North during the early part of the month and Waxwings were still with us, moving more into the City Centre, with 230 in Little Horton Lane (13th) and 70 on Leeds Road, Windhill (18th).Only small numbers of wintering passerines were reported, with up to 120 Siskin in the Wharfe Valley, 30 Brambling on Otley Chevin and 120 Redpoll at Beaverdyke. Birds at roost or heading into a roost proved to be most interesting, with twenty Grey Heron by the Aire at Hirstwood, 4800 Redwing moving into Grange Plantation at Kildwick, 40 Waxwing in Sandwith Moor Plantation and 24 Reed Bunting at Stockbridge.
Pink-footed Geese were on the move throughout January, from the Thornton Moor observation point, 2370 were recorded in twelve skeins between 11.15 and 12.15 on the 16th. Also on this day, Buzzard numbers were impressive too, from the watch-point at Barden, a high of fourteen was recorded.
A first winter Scaup made an appearance at Otley Wetlands on the 1st. and stayed a few days. A Bean Goose was on Leeshaw Reservoir (9th) and Soil Hill again produced a Jack Snipe and a Snow Bunting (13th). Flocks of Bullfinch were reported from Fewston with a high of least ten (31st), two groups of five were seen in gardens in Baildon and Cullingworth. The anticipated influx of Yellowhammer had started with seven birds near Weecha Reservoir (12th). The elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was reported from the west side of Shipley Glen (10th) and an early sign of spring with two Dippers singing on Goit Stock, Harden (19th).