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).