May was an unsettled month dominated by breezy, and at times, rather strong winds. However, the breeding season was in full swing and members reported lots of activity from around the area.

Of the summer visitors, Wood Warbler was reported from St. Ives (14th) and five singing males were located in Strid Wood (5th), where breeding was confirmed. Blackcaps were feeding young at Dob Park Bridge and on the Stockbridge Reserve (24th) where Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers were heard at various times during the month. A ‘Gropper’ was also heard on the path leading to Ellercar Pike (17th).

A Purple Heron flew and drifted north over East Otley from the Chevin (3rd). Five Dotterel were located early in the morning near the Twelve Apostles (4th). Two Sandwich Terns flew up the Washburn Valley, calling loudly, over Thruscross Reservoir (27th).

Reports of breeding birds on the moorland fringes included Curlew, Snipe and Lapwing where early signs of success indicated a reasonable outcome in the Aire Valley. Five pairs of Grey Partridge were located, each of them in the vicinity of the farms around Baildon with more seen further north at Reva and Sconce.

There were only a few reports Stonechat, there being a pair at Whetstone Allotments (1st) and in the same area a Whinchat was heard (31st). Three singing Redstarts were heard at Storiths (2nd) and four at John o’ Gaunt’s (3rd). A member counted fifteen Pied Flycatchers in Strid Wood (5th), a male was singing at St. Ives (14th) and a single bird was seen at John o’ Gaunt’s.

Two Spotted Flycatcher were active by Upwood Farm, Riddlesden (20th), three were seen during the Group walk to Ogden Reservoir (21st) and another was at Dob Park Bridge (26th). Wheatear continued to be reported up until the 18th, and two Ring Ouzel were seen in the fields above Addingham Moorside (4th). Two Mandarin Ducks were possible breeders in Strid Wood (2nd) and
Tree Sparrows were reported at John o’ Gaunt’s.

Low water levels at locations in the Oxenhope area provided plenty of opportunities for waders where two Sanderling and a White Wagtail were reported (4th). At Fly Flatts Reservoir a flock of 19 Dunlin, plus an influx of six Ringed Plover (17th) and four days later that number had risen to 22.

May was sunny and dry and at times rather cool though there was a change to more unsettled weather at the end of the month.

An Osprey was regularly seen in the Wharfe Valley from the 13th, breeding Peregrines were again feeding four young birds in our area and a Raven flew over East Riddlesden (18th). Buzzard and Red Kite were reported throughout the month from the Hawksworth area and a Kite moved slowly over Oxenhope (18th) whilst another was seen over Dowley Gap (3rd).

Two Arctic Terns were seen in mid-afternoon at Redcar Tarn (3rd), 14 Ringed Plovers spent some time on Thornton Moor Reservoir (30th) and a day earlier, two Sanderling were feeding on the exposed mud.

Wheatears continued to pass through the area with the final one seen on Baildon Golf Course (19th). On the previous day three were feeding on Reva Hill. Of especial interest was the presence of a pair of Wheatear at Whetstone Gate (30th).

Two singing male Whinchats were seen in the Whetstone Gate area and a pair were seen mating here (24th).
Four singing Wood Warblers were heard at Strid Wood (30th) and a couple of birds were also heard at Heber’s Ghyll whilst a Lesser Whitethroat was in full song at Toad Holes Beck (2nd). By the middle of the month Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat were established at Stockbridge. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling near to Golcar Farm, Glovershaw (13th) and another bird was also performing in the Oxenhope area (7th).

Spotted Flycatchers were reported at Ellers Wood (Washburn) and surprisingly in Hirst Wood, Shipley (15th). Over six singing Pied Flycatchers were noted at Strid Wood (14th), a male was singing above Beckfoot Lane, St. Ives (16th) and the birds were once more present in Folly Hall Wood. Redstarts were seen in their familiar haunts at Strid Wood, John o’Gaunts and along Storiths Lane, but a male in the Coppice Bog area of St. Ives was of special note (1st).

A male Cuckoo was seen at Sconce during the Club Walk (8th) another was heard at the same location a week later and a male was mobbed by Meadow Pipits on Harden Moor (13th).

After the exceptionally dry and bright April, May was disappointing with many cloudy days dominated by squally winds and heavy showers.

There were very few highlights, perhaps the best were three reports of visiting Black Terns, a single over Leeshaw (14th) and, at about the same time, singles at Skipton Sewage Works and Chelker Reservoir. Two Arctic Terns also passed through Leeshaw Reservoir (7th) and there were reports of Common Tern being seen at the private wetland site in Wharfedale. For a time, lower water levels encouraged passage birds to visit the exposed shorelines of our reservoirs with Ringed Plover (4th, 9th & 13th), Dunlin (7th, 9th & 24th), Sanderling (5th & 24th) and Black-tailed Godwit (5th) all seen at the moorland watch-point. On the 10th a movement of Whimbrel was reported with three over Kex Gill and a single over the south of the region.

The main ‘Wheatear push’, which began in earnest towards the end of April, continued, with good numbers seen until the middle of the month. In all, almost 200 were reported, with a single highest count of over 20 at the moorland watch-point (5th).

A Grasshopper Warbler was near Skipton Sewage Works (10th), single Reed Warblers was reported from the private wetland site (4th) and John o’Gaunt’s (10th), but only two singing male Wood Warblers were noted in Strid Wood. Two Lesser Whitethroats were singing at Caldene Fields on the 20th and for the next week, one remained in Toad Hole Beck.

Stainburn Plantation appeared to have the greatest concentration of Tree Pipits and Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers could be found at the traditional sites in the Washburn Valley and at Strid Wood. On the Group’s evening walk to the Strid area on the 12th, a Hobby was watched as it ‘plucked out’ a Sand Martin from a feeding flock.

The arrival of the Cuckoo was reported from around the area with members hearing birds at Sconce, Burley Moor, Barden Bridge, Timble, the moorland watch-point and Dob Park. A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were active in Shipley Glen (16th) and two breeding pairs of Green Woodpeckers were successfully raising

Of great concern, were the dearth of reports concerning some of our breeding species, in particular, Stonechat, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer and Spotted Flycatcher. The bad weather conditions of the two previous summers, and a cold winter, appear to have severely affected these birds and numbers are considerably down.

May was mostly dry and warm, a perfect time for breeding birds, with only a small amount rain towards the end of the month.

May is probably the best month for birding with the arrival of summer migrants and the passing of unusual birds. Anything can ‘turn up’ and this month there were a few interesting reports, most notably a pair of Great Grey Shrikes, located at Drop Farm, near Leeshaw Res (4th), a Black Tern, that stayed all morning at the private wetland site (6th) and a first year Bluethroat that made a brief appearance at our Members’ Only Reservoir on 23rd.

A most unusual visitor to an Ilkley garden was a Turtle Dove (6th). Raptors passing through the area included a female Marsh Harrier at the private wetland site (7th), two Ospreys seen in the Wharfe Valley (17th & 18th), a Hen Harrier at the moorland watch-point (10th), a Hobby at Snaygill Ings (3rd) and another at Barden Bridge (10th). At the end of the month a singing Lesser Whitethroat was located on the river bank to the west of Silsden, and unusual flocks of Crossbills of up to 23 birds were reported from Rivock Edge (21st), the private wetland site (26th) and Timble Ings (30th).

A pair of Little Ringed Plover could still be seen alongside the A650, and others were seen moving through the Members’ Only Reservoir (4th & 18th) and in the Washburn (12th). At the former location a Turnstone was seen (5th), and together with nearby Fly Flatts, Dunlin, Redshank and Ringed Plover had all been reported at various times. A single Whimbrel flew over this area (3rd) and on the same day one passed Timble Ings. There were many reports of very active and vocal Common Sandpipers along our rivers and reservoirs.The summer migrants are now in residence with numerous reports from around the region, illustrating the full extent of the influx.

Up to ten singing male Pied Flycatchers could be heard in Strid Wood (4th) and four at Folly Hall Wood (2nd) where six male Redstarts had taken up residency. Garden Warblers appeared to be very prominent in the early part of the month, nine were heard between Lindley Wood and Folly Hall Wood and at other spots in the Washburn and Wharfedale Valleys. One of the best places to see Tree Pipits was at Stainburn Plantation, Timble Ings and Rivock Edge. Spotted Flycatcher was reported from Lindley Wood, St. Ives, Strid Wood and Low Wood near Riddlesden. A Grasshopper Warbler ‘reeled’ regularly at Stocksbridge Reserve (1st to 14th), but there were few reports of Wood Warbler only a single bird at Strid Wood (3rd), and another at Shibden Head (5th). However, Whitethroats were more numerous with a number being identified at a variety of places.Wheatears continued to pass through the area up and to about 10th with a notable 16 at the Members’ Only Reservoir (5th).

Whinchats also moved through with about eight birds reported in the south of the area. A pair of Ring Ouzels were seen in Ponden Clough (10th) and a single bird flew through the moorland watch-point (5th), whilst two Yellow Wagtails were located here five days later and a single bird was at nearby Fly Flatts (5th). Cuckoo were heard at six locations with the most interesting being a bird at Whetstone Gate (22nd) which was mobbed by a Meadow Pipit! The Coppice Pond at St. Ives had its first breeding record of Goosanders when a female was seen with 13 duckings and other heavily burdened females were seen at Ben Rhydding (10th) and on the River Aire at East Riddlesden (24th). Of other breeding birds, an early Lapwing chick was noted at Bradup (10th) and the breeding pair of Peregrines were in residence in Keighley.Of the duck species seen locally, a male Garganey and a male Red-crested Pochard, both at the private wetland site (4th), and four Shovelers at Redcar Tarn (30th), were the few highlights.

A Barnacle Goose dropped into Stockbridge (10th) and another, or perhaps the same bird, was seen twice at the private wetlands (10th & 14th) and a Pink-footed Goose was seen in St. Ives on the Coppice Pond (24th).

May’s weather was generally disappointing, with heavy showers from time to time and on many days strong winds, sometimes from the north and east. The final week was more settled and conditions were much improved for birding.

The outstanding sightings of the month both came on the 4th. At Otley Wetland a Spoonbill was seen at noon heading over the reserve from west to east, this being only the second occasion when this species has been seen in our area. The weather on this day was poor with low cloud and occasional drizzle, and in these conditions a Dotterel was found on Round Hill at Timble. Also on this day, two Common Terns were seen at Yeadon Tarn (4th), the following day they had moved on to Otley Wetland. It was also on the 4th, that a member reported two Arctic Terns at Otley Wetland, and a week later, one flew over Leeshaw Reservoir and over the moor heading north west.Wheatears continued to pass through the area right up until the final days of the month, making this spring period possibly the best ever. Reports were received from Glovershaw, Fly Flatts and various locations on Rombald’s Moor with an observer at the former noting eight birds on the 24th, some with what appeared to be features resembling the Greenland race.

Other passage birds included a Ring Ouzel at the moorland watch-point (5th).Amongst the breeding birds in our woodland, Pied Flycatches were established at Strid Woods (5th) where at least four pairs were reported, at Folly Hall Woods (25th) with three pairs and St. Ives where a couple of males were singing near nest-boxes. Few reports of Wood Warbler have so far been received with only three at Strid Woods, but a much better number of Redstarts have been located with pairs at Strid Woods, Timble Ings, Ogden Water, Laycock, and the ‘hot-spots’ of John o’Gaunts with three males, and the Folly Hall/Dob Park area with at least six.

Tree Pipits continue to be an elusive bird with only the three birds at Timble reported (29th). Spotted Flycatcher was seen at Timble Ings (3rd), Ellers Wood (25th), and at St. Ives (26th).Other Warblers visiting the area include Reed Warbler, seen at Otley Wetland (5th) and at Stockbridge (27th). Whitethroats were first noted early in the month at Knotford (5th), Micklethwaite (6th) and Stockbridge (6th) and Garden Warblers appear to be giving good views with five singing males around Fewston Reservoir on the 11th. On May 3rd a Grasshopper Warbler was seen and heard performing its ‘reeling song’ on heather at Whetstone Gate. The bird remained in the area for two days.Small numbers of waders have been reported to the website, with three Bar-tailed Godwits

leading the way (1st), and a Sanderling at the moorland watch-point (11th). Breeding birds included Redshank, Dunlin, Snipe, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, with a high of eight of the latter recorded at Fly Flatts (13th).Stonechats have become well established on our moors and the adjoining fringes and members have seen them at various places on Rombald’s Moor. On the 20th a family of two young birds plus a neighbouring singing male were near Whetstone Gate, and on the same day four juveniles were on the wall and fences of a field near Golcar Farm, Baildon. It was near here that a pair of Yellowhammers have taken up residence. Signs of successful breeding are all round with many sightings of young birds, but perhaps the excitement of seeing a female Goosander with chicks on her back, as seen on the Wharfe (23rd), is as good any. Let us hope that the Nightjars, which have returned to their breeding site (20th) are just as successful.

Finally, noteworthy sightings included an Osprey, passing near the Barden watch-point (19th), a Peregrine circling high over East Riddlesden Hall (17th) and a Raven enduring the close attention of two crows and several swifts over Gilstead (2nd).

The weather during May was generally disappointing. The first ten days were warm and sunny, but this was soon to change when rain arrived and temperatures dropped. This very unsettled spell stayed for two weeks during which time there were many heavy downpours. The month ended with a cool northerly air-stream bringing strong winds and only slightly better conditions for birding. It was the wettest May since 1983.

On the 1st of the month eight Bar-tailed Godwits visited Otley Wetland, and later that day, possibly the same group were seen in the Bolton Abbey area. Two more Bar-tailed Godwits were at the reserve on the following day and on the 7th a summer plumaged bird was seen. On the 7th two Dunlins were reported displaying, and on the following day observers watched a male Garganey and a Turnstone as Shelduck flew over. On the 12th a Ruff was present and on the 20th two Sanderling.

By the 3rd Swifts had begun to arrive, with many reports from around the area. Reed Buntings were establishing breeding territory with up to five males singing from the area on either side of the Glen Road, Baildon. Twites were seen in the south of the area particularly around Fly Flats where 20 were noted and at Leeshaw where a single bird was seen and a Cuckoo was heard there (3rd). By the 8th May Wheatear numbers, as reported to the website, had risen to 308 birds many seen at Trough Lane, Glovershaw and on Bingley Moor. 26 Wheatears were seen in one day at Trough Lane (3rd).During those warm, early days of May, Tree Pipits were reported from Timble , John o’ Gaunts and St. Ives.

Two Wood Warblers (2nd) could be heard in Shipley Glen and a Yellowhammer had established territory by Crook Farm, Baildon. Redstarts had returned to John o’ Gaunts (4th), Whitethroat at Gallows Hill (5th), and Stonechats were reported from Glovershaw, Lower Barden and Whetstone Gate.On the 6th, weekend birders at Stockbridge saw a pair of Shovelers. At Leeshaw, Common Sandpipers had made their first appearance, and at Toad Holes Beck a Lesser Whitethroat was in full song. This day was certainly one for the summer migrants with St. Ives providing records of Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher as well as Garden Warbler and Whitethroat being reported from around the area. Up to six Spotted Flycatchers were established in St. Ives by the end of the month. On the 7th Knotford Nook supplied us with the first recorded Yellow Wagtail, two Common Terns were at Otley Wetland and a Little Ringed Plover had been seen in the area.Timble Ings are always worth a visit at this time of year and on the 4th a male Marsh Harrier passed over. From the Watch-point at Barden, an Osprey was seen passing northwards (16th) and one passed Timble on the 28th.It’s not often that we see Tawny Owls, but when they are ‘mobbed ‘ by Magpies and Jays in broad daylight, as happened in a Bingley Garden, it’s worthy of note. Also on the domestic front, House Martins had built nests on an Eldwick house 10th.

To round off the sightings, a flock of 15 Golden Plovers were feeding in the fields behind Golcar Farm, Glovershaw (2nd), roding Woodcock were seen at Timble and Shipley Glen and Middleton Woods, always a good place to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, produced one on the 5th.

The month of May was generally dry, with some good sunshine, but a wind, sometimes quite strong at times accompanied by heavy showers was a feature of many days. On the 1st May, spring migration was well established with members reporting a good range of arrivals from many sites. In the Aire Valley, two Whitethroats were seen at St. Ives, and at Stockbridge and Marley, Grasshopper Warblers were present. The Private Wetland Site in Wharfedale had an impressive list on this day with Common and Arctic Terns, Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, eight Wheaters all noted amongst the many hirundines and warblers. Members were reporting Wheatears passing through the area with Trough Lane achieving the highest numbers, 22 seen on the 4th. From our Visible Migration site, 44 Wheatears passed through on the 2nd.

On the 2nd a Cuckoo was heard on Bingley Moor, and two male Yellowhammers had taken up position by Glovershaw Lane, also Snipe and Redshank were both present in this area. On the 3rd the most unlikely of events was the singing of a Lesser Whitethroat by the Magistrates Court in Bradford Centre, it was still there on 9th of the month.

A Whinchat was recorded at Stockbridge and Soil Hill (both 1st) and Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Wood Warbler had established breeding sites in Strid Woods.On the 6th a few Whimbrel had roosted in Wharfedale Wetlands, this was in common with some other areas in the North of England, over 200 were recorded at Wheldrake Ings, near York. By the 8th Spotted Flycatcher had been seen in St. Ives and the next day (9th) our only record of Dotterel came from High Brown Knoll (010304) where two were recorded. Also on this day Folly Hall Wood produced six male Pied Flycatchers and three Redstart, and smaller numbers of these birds were noted around the Swinsty area. A member watching Hebers Ghyll Wood had recorded up to four Wood Warblers and a Tree Pipit by the 15th. The 16th was an eventful day as birders watched an Osprey over Keighley and a House Martin colony had been established in the Birchlands area of Wilsden. On the 20th patience was rewarded with a view of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Knotford.Towards the end of the month members were watching the breeding sites of Long-eared Owl and Stonechat, where young birds were successfully fledged. Nightjar had returned to the area and two Ospreys stayed for a few days being seen regularly from Barden Scale. Woodcocks were active at St. Ives where four males performed their ‘roding’ display on the 31st.