BTO July 2006

July was very hot. Records showed that it was the hottest single month since 1914. It was also dry, with only small amounts of precipitation and reservoirs and rivers were greatly affected. A part of Rombald’s Moor was on fire for a few days before the blaze was eventually brought under control.

At the beginning of the month, the hot and sultry weather brought interesting movements of birds with a wave of 1200 Swifts passing the moor-land watch-point on the 1st.

July is always the month when we watch for the early stages of return migration, particularly waders. Conditions during the month were ideal and bode well for the next few weeks as receding water levels, and high temperatures, gave rise to our increasing anticipation. The moor-land watch-point was a good place to visit as waders were beginning to use the exposed mud on the western edge of the reservoir. On the 6th, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe and Lapwing were all present and by the end of the month Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Golden Plover were also reported feeding there from time to time. Common Sandpipers were also present at Doe Park (1st) and Leeming (23rd). Oystercatchers were noted at Weecher (3rd), Doe Park (9th), Leeshaw (20th) and Dowley Gap (22nd). Little Ringed Plovers were seen at Leeshaw (7th) and at Leeming Reservoir where six had gathered on the 23rd. A Greenshank appeared at Otley Wetland Nature Reserve on the 18th and a Green Sandpiper was briefly at Stockbridge (26th).

July is also a month to watch for post-breeding flocks of birds, in gardens, woodlands and on moor-land fringes. Glovershaw and Sconce were good areas to see family groups of Stonechats, Reed Buntings, Starlings, Lapwings, Willow Warblers and Meadow Pipits. It was this area where at least three Stonechats have successfully bred and three male Yellowhammers continued to utter their instantly recognisable song. Barden Moor was also host to breeding Stonechats (18th), with at least three pairs seen in the area between the reservoirs. Another pair of Stonechats were very noticeable alongside Trough Lane. Reports of Whinchat were confined to a pair at Whetstone Gate and possibly up to two pairs at Barden, again in the area between the reservoirs (18th).

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers continued to be seen, with good sightings at Bull Copy Woods near Hirstwood and at Stockbridge, which was also an excellent place to see a variety of breeding songbirds, including Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. In the south of the region, a ‘reeling’ Grasshopper Warbler was heard on the 22nd on Soil Hill.

Reports have suggested that Kestrels have been successful in their breeding, with nine broods ringed, one pair has used one of BOGs owl boxes. Long-eared and Short eared Owls have not faired as well. The Owls breeding season has been seriously affected by the low number of voles available to them. An Osprey passed through the moor-land watch-point (13th) and two later, a Marsh Harrier was seen, just over the hill at Fly Flats.

July can also be a month to look out for those subtle variations in the Gull population. Mediterranean Gulls were seen at the moor-land watch-point from the 23rd and at Cullingworth Fields (18th) and Yellow-legged Gulls were also at Cullingworth and the watch-point.