Pink-footed Geese were seen moving over Baildon. Photo: Brian Sumner ©
Mandarin numbers increased throughout the month on the River Wharfe. Photo: Brian Vickers ©
November was a relatively mild, dry month with low rainfall. A cold spell around the 18th, 19th resulted in light snow showers. The prevailing wind was mainly from the west with northerlys during the cold spell.
Woodpigeon numbers continued to build-up with over 4300 seen at Queensbury on the 1st. Next day, OGP had nine Whooper Swans (All adults except one immature). They were excited and repeatedly engaged in trumpeting behaviour - all birds with bodies rising up out of the water and feet still paddling, necks outstretched and wings flapping in a tight group and honking loudly. On the 3rd, Ilkley had the first of the Waxwing flocks (17) that would entertain us throughout the month. Soil Hill again produced a Jack Snipe (5th) and the number of waxwing had risen to 33 in Ilkley. Jays had made an influx into the area with increased numbers being recorded in St. Ives and Shipley Glen. On the 7th early risers at TMR witnessed 1000 Starlings moving west, and Water Rail numbers at Stockbridge had increased to four. Pink-footed Geese were also on the move and sixty passed over Baildon Green at twilight. The 10th proved to be an eventful day with three Scaup at Swinsty Reservoir and large flocks of roosting birds reported in the Washburn Valley.
A massive roost of Thrushes at Norwood edge in the Washburn Valley (SE2151) built up to at least 10,000 birds on Thursday 4th, with probably 90% Fieldfare, birds were counted at a 100 per second, the majority from the south. By the 7th the roost had diminished to around 5000 but a higher proportion of Redwing 35%. There were also reports of a similar size roost at Timble on the 3rd. On this date, 10th, Ilkley’s Waxwing population had increased to between 100 and 110. The birds were quite flighty and easily disturbed, flying around the car park in compact little flocks and never resting on berry trees for very long. From the south west, approximately 180 Waxwings, in parties of between 10 and 20, were seen entering Timble to roost. By the 13th Snow Buntings were appearing again in the TMR area and on Soil Hill, and reports of Waxwings were becoming more widespread with eighteen by Crossflatts Station. On the 14th big numbers of Fieldfare and Starlings were still being counted at TMR, whilst 360 Pink-footed Geese and four hundred Golden Plover were seen in a four hour stint. Numbers of Mandarin ducks were beginning to build up along the stretch of the Wharfe around the Strid, with up to 30 by the 28th. Good views of a Merlin were had at the stables below Whetstone Gate on this date and two days later (22nd), numbers of Coot at Knotford Nook had risen to 300. There were reports of small numbers of redpoll and siskin from around Fewston and a large flock of 100 Waxwings was now frequenting Keighley Town Centre (23rd). On this date a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen in the beech trees on the approach to Whetstone Gate. Roosts of pied wagtails were reported from various sites with 150 in Bradford City Centre between the Interchange and Leisure Centre (25th). On a sad note, one dead Waxwing was donated to Cliff Castle Museum via Manor House Museum. As has happened previously with this species it flew into a window of the Gents in Ilkley!