Brian Sumner closely monitored the progress of a pair of breeding Stonechats at Cold Edge Dams. This is one of the young birds which was successfully fledged.

Newly fledged Long-eared Owls. Ten pairs of breeding adults have been identified in the BOG area.

Early reports in June showed that Spotted Flycatchers were in residence at St. Ives, and Otley Wetland Nature Reserve recorded Reed, Sedge and Garden Warblers. By the 8th at least four Reed Warblers were singing here. Pied Flycatchers were seen at two sites in the Aire Valley including Hirst Woods, where a pair were using a nest box. Members at Stockbridge again registered a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (5th) and an Osprey was continuing to frequent the Wharfe Valley with sightings throughout the month at Barden. Hewenden viaduct was worth a visit to see the nesting Swifts and Yellowhammer were breeding on Baildon Moor at three sites, including Sconce Lane. Breeding birds of prey were reported from around the area with Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, Little Owl, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk Red Kite and Merlin all noted. Long-eared Owls have used hanging baskets for their breeding at two sites, and there are now at least ten pairs breeding in the BOG area. A ‘churring’ Nightjar had been located in the area.

A pair of Kingfishers bred near Doe Park and a juvenile Dipper was also noted there (18th), followed on the next day by a singing Grasshopper Warbler, the third such bird recorded in Airedale. A pair of Mandarin ducks was seen with young on the Wharfe and breeding Grey Wagtails were noted near Bingley. Stonechats were breeding at various locations including Haworth Moor, Cold Edge Dams and Glovershaw. Six drumming Snipe were countered at Whetstone Gate and Whinchat was also noted there. A single Osprey passed over Thornton Moor Reservoir (20th), and a Yellow-legged Gull was with 160 Lesser-blacks following the farmer’s tractor as he churned up the soil in fields around Cullingworth.The ringing event of the month occurred on the 19th when members caught 266 Sand Martins at their colony at Ben Rhydding, later a party of ringers descended on the breeding Black-headed Gulls at Upper Barden Reservoir, and ringed 450 chicks.

The most noteable visitor to the area was seen on the 21st when a Black Kite passed by the Barden Watchpoint in Wharfedale. This is the first ever recording of a Black Kite in the BOG area. It was obviously quite a day for these observers, as they witnessed two Hobbys and the passing of possibly two Ospreys. A Hobby was noted at Leeshaw on the 25th. Decreasing water levels in our reservoirs are beginning to bring in interesting birds. A Green Sandpiper was at Lindley on the 27th June.