November was mainly dry and and one of the mildest on record. Despite the good conditions there were only a few reported highlights. These came mainly from the migration watchers who reported a massive movement of over 20,000 Wood Pigeons (6th), numerous skeins of Pink-footed Geese, with a high of 1295 moving NE and then SE through the Aire Valley (5th), and, on the same day, a skein of 37 Whooper Swans flew SE over Oxenhope. On the 10th, 2339 Fieldfare were counted from Oxenhope watch-point.

Elsewhere, members reported five Snow Bunting on Soil Hill (2nd), a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Strid Woods (1st), a Yellow-legged Gull amongst the huge flock on Cullingworth Fields (3rd), and another, along with a Mediterranean Gull was in the Oxenhope Roost (6th). Two Yellow-billed Swans, thought to be Bewick's were noted on flooded ground at Silsden (17th)

A late House Martin was seen over Silsden (6th) and a Willow Tit was a regular at the feeders at the private wetland site. Two parties of Waxwings flew over Caldene Fields with a possible third flock dropping down to feed around the Tong area (28th).

There were over 100 Golden Plovers and 460 Lapwing in the fields around Redcar Tarn (10th) and Water Rails were present at Toad Holes Beck and at Stockbridge where a Shelduck made a brief visit (16th). On the bleakest of spots, Soil Hill, a Jack Snipe was recorded (26th).

Of the ducks, Wigeon numbers had reached almost a 100 at Knotford, where three Gadwall were noted (13th). 67 Teal were on Lindley Reservoir (14th) and the Mandarin flock had grown to 60 at Strid Woods (1st).

Peregrines were seen at Kex Gill and Riddlesden (6th) and a Red Kite was disturbed whilst tucking into a very large trout on the edge of the shore at Lindley Reservoir (11th).

November was very mild and wet for the first two weeks, it then gradually changed to end with bitterly cold winds and lengthy spells of snow and ice. On the first day of the month, watches at the moorland view-point recorded a Great White Egret flying high over Oxenhope Moor and heading towards Skipton and in mid-afternoon a Great Grey Shrike came in from the north-west and alighted on a fence-post, before flying off towards Bradford after about ten minutes. A Rough-legged Buzzard was reported on the same day in the Wharfe Valley and a few days later (7th), another was seen soaring near Silsden.

The major sighting of the month was a first-winter Grey Phalarope which was first seen at Bradley Ings on the 18th. It seemed to favour a patch of open water by the side of the road into Connonley, where it gave superb views until the 21st. This was only the second record of a Grey Phalarope in our area.

Waxwings dominated the month with more than 20 reports of small flocks, sometimes up to about 100 birds foraging throughout the area. Some of the biggest groups were seen in Keighley and Ilkley, but at the end of the month, a flock of 77 flew over Caldene Fields. A flock of 50 Brambling was seen at Swinsty Reservoir (24th) and small numbers visited gardens at Riddlesden and Ben Rydding and were also seen feeding on beech mast at Bolton Abbey (3rd). Of the other winter specialties, a flock of 20 Siskin were seen at Hirst Wood, Shipley and 36 were feeding in Toad Hall Beck where 40 Redpoll had also gathered (29th). A Timble, a Mealy Redpoll was caught and ringed.

Other noteworthy sightings were 850 Lapwings by the river at Ben Rhydding, a red-head Smew at the private wetlands (29th), a Pintail at Knotford Nook (30th) and a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Shipley Glen (14th).

This was the wettest November on record. The miserable conditions made birding very difficult and only the most intrepid ventured forth. Reports were few, but we managed a couple of notable birds in the form of a Black-necked Grebe and three Snow Buntings. The Grebe was seen feeding at Otley Wetland in the afternoon of 23rd, this being only the seventh recorded since 1987, the last, at the same location, was in 2000. The Snow Buntings gave excellent views at Nab End from the 11th and for a few further days. Another single bird was a surprise sighting at Caldene Fields (11th) and two more flashed past observers on Stainburn Moor (9th).

During the early part of the month the movement of Woodpigeons continued with over 3500 passing the observation site on Stainburn Moor and Oxenhope (9th). A massive movement of over 7000 Fieldfares took place on the 10th with constant pulses of birds passing the Oxenhope watch-point and Queensbury. This was the culmination of a week of similar, but smaller movements of these migrating thrushes. Pink-footed Geese continued their movement across the area with skeins seen right up until the end of the month. Six Whooper Swans were seen on Farnhill Ings (28th) and a skein of five had visited the moorland watch-point (8th) where two days later, a second winter Little Gull was in the roost. The resultant heavy rain had produced extensive lakes in Aire Valley and at Cononley where pairs of Shoveler, Pintail and Goldeneye had taken up residence. Numbers of Teal and Wigeon had also built up and Lapwing flocks had congregated here and at Redcar Tarn, Chelker Reservoir and the traditional site of Bowling Back Lane, Bradford. A wintering flock of over 400 Golden Plovers from the East/West Bowling areas went directly over Caldene Fields (29th).

Water Rails could be seen at Stockbridge, Otley Wetland and Sun Lane, Burley where six Tree Sparrows were recorded. A Green Sandpiper was at Lindley Wood Reservoir (11th) and a pair of Mandarin were on Fewston Reservoir (11th). A foggy day at the moorland watch-point and a Black Redstart was the only bird on the ground (21st), whilst other passerines included a flock of up to 50 Siskin in the Aire Valley, a Chiff-Chaff south of the Dowley Gap aqueduct (7th), a male blackcap in a Villa Road, Bingley garden (30th) and pairs of Stonechats at Trough Lane (26th) and at Nab End (15th).

Flocks of Waxwings were reported from various places during the month. The first sighting was in the regular spot of Ilkley Car Park (10th) where a small group of six birds were noted. By the 16th members’ reported a flock of 85 going to roost at Timble Ings with larger daily groups seen at Ilkley (43 on the 18th), and from the 23rd, small flocks were along the canal at East Morton. It was here that numbers reached 35 (29th), and on the same day, a flock of 20 by Crossflatts railway station.

Pink-footed Geese continued to move through the area on their way to their wintering ground on the west coast. At the moorland watch-point 290 passed over (8th), followed the next day by 600 (in five skeins) over Sandwith Moor and 850 over south Bradford. There were further small skeins before another 690 were noted over the moorland watch-point (16th). Seven Whooper Swans were seen on Lower Laithe Reservoir (14th) and two days later a similar number were present on Chelker Reservoir. During this time, a couple of Whoopers had visited Leeshaw Reservoir and others were seen flying over Silsden, and seventeen passed over Caldene Fields (21st).Following recent trends, only low numbers of ducks were recorded, the most notable being a flock of 30 Wigeon which were first seen at Knotford (14th) and again at the nearby private wetland site towards the end of the month. Small numbers of Goldeneye were seen in this area and over 30 Teal were at Cononley Ings during the time when water levels were at their highest.Swallows lingered until very late with five recorded feeding over Dowley Gap (5th) and a single bird was near March Cote Farm, Cottingley on the 23rd. A possible over-wintering Chiffchaff near Dowley Gap (12th), an unusual Marsh Tit at Beaverdyke, a Firecrest in shrubs near East Riddlesden Hall and occasional sightings of Snow Buntings in the south of the area were the pick of the passerines. The large influx of winter thrushes was completed by the middle of the month with 1265 Fieldfare and 900 Redwing passing Caldene Fields (13th). It was at this migration watch-point that the observers noted an astonishing 2794 Wood Pigeons, earlier, a wintering flock of 432 Golden Plovers passed over (9th).

A flock of 150 Curlews were to be seen in the Denton Park/Ben Rhydding area, over 20 Grey Herons regularly roosted at the bottom of Shipley Glen and three Water Rails were established at Stockbridge.

November was generally more anticyclonic than a 'normal' November, with above average sunshine and a couple of unsettled periods either side of mid-month.

Snow Buntings were the most interesting winter passerines seen during the the month with observers at the Moorland Watch-point noting the first arrival (3rd) and on Soil Hill (11th) where seven birds were seen. During the month, other sightings were reported of up to four birds at Soil Hill.Small flocks of Redpolls, Siskins and some Bramblings were reported from Timble Ings, the Moorland Watch-point, St. Ives, Stockbridge, Sun Lane Reserve, East Riddlesden Hall and Otley Wetland.Raptor watchers in the Wharfe Valley regularly reported Hen Harriers, Peregrines and occasional Ravens.There was a slower than expected build-up of wintering ducks with only small numbers reported. Goldeneye were seen at Otley Wetlands, Knotford Nook, the Moorland Watch-point and Wigeon in very small flocks at Swinsty (2nd), Knotford Nook (9th), Redcar Tarn (15th) and at Otley Wetlands where 24 birds were seen (24th). A Gadwall was at Knotford Nook (9th) and a Red-crested Pochard at Otley Wetland (2nd), whilst 28 Teal were recording at Fewston Reservoir (21st). Visible Migration watchers recorded a significant passage of Wood Pigeons in the early weeks of the month with around 13 000 counted, the biggest daily total being 5 000 on the 4th. Big numbers of Starlings were also seen during this time with over 700 passing over the Moorland Watch-point (4th). A flock of 300 Golden Plovers were regularly seen in South Bradford, Water Rails were established at Stockbridge and single Knot, Dunlin and Redshank were recorded from around the area. A Jack Snipe was a visitor to a Crossflatts Garden (17th) and one was seen at Skipton Sewage Works together with a Green Sandpiper (16th)There was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by the Pavilion at Bolton Abbey (1st) and 39 Mandarin Ducks were reported from further along the river close to the Strid (8th). Single Water Pipits were seen at Leeshaw Reservoir (12th) and Skipton Sewage Works (10th onwards), and the filter-beds at Dowley Gap contained up to 100 Pied Wagtails (14th).

Nine Whopper Swans stayed at Otley Wetlands for a few hours (9th) and Pink-footed Geese were on the move again with 160 seen heading SW at Queensbury (24th) whilst 200 passed Leathley on the same day.

November was mild throughout with very little frost and increasing amounts of rain from the middle of the the month onwards.

Good numbers of Fieldfare passed over the area with 1500 seen over Cononley Ings (2nd), 102 Teal, four Goldeneye, 38 Wigeon and two Dunlin were also recorded here at this time. Dunlin were using the small island at Redcar Tarn (25th). Two Pintails were on the flooded fields of Cononley Ings (2nd).There were 22 Mandarin Ducks at Strid Wood (5th) with numbers rising to 28 by the 29th.Flocks of Lapwings were seen at Cononley Ings with 500 (5th), 752 (24th), Redcar Tarn and over the City Centre Bus Depot where 300 were circling around Bowling Back Lane. A similar number of Golden Plovers were seen leaving a roost there on the 14th and a smaller flock of 73 had assembled at Redcar Tarn two days earlier. By the 16th, the number of Golden Plovers at Bradford Interchange had risen to 500.Four Whopper Swans were seen flying west at Ponden Reservoir (10th).The ‘wader highlight’ was at Soil Hill where a Purple Sandpiper, first seen on the 12th and then on the 13th. Tufted Ducks had been reported from Redcar Tarn (16), Knotford Nook (14), Chelker (10) and Silsden Reservoir (16). a visit to Skipton Sewage Works showed that Snipe, Reed Bunting, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and Lapwing are present and a Redshank was heard in the vicinity. At Stockbridge three Water Rails were present and Redpoll and Siskins were regularly seen. Water Rail was also noted at Cononley Ings (24th).Three pairs of Stonechats were at Whetstone Gate (19th), 30 Brambling (22nd) and a Snow Bunting was in the area of the Ilkley moorland road on this day.Bullfinch and Siskins had congregated at Paul Clough with a high of 12 of the former (4th) and eight of the latter (1st).

Beamsley was a good area from which to see Red Kite with three noted on the 5th and again on the 19th.

November continued to provide further helpings of birds seen during October, with only a few noteworthy sightings. It was mild in the early days but a cold snap from the middle onwards brought a few more winter ducks and geese. The number of wintering ducks and geese was particularly poor with few sizeable flocks recorded. 123 Wigeon at Lindley Wood Reservoir (5th) and 70 Teal at Sandbeds Flash, were the only occasion when a reasonable flock of Ducks was sighted, though two Pintail on Silsden Reservoir (19th), a Red-breasted Merganser (6th), a male Shoveler at Redcar Tarn (6th) and a female Scaup and a Ruddy Duck at Otley Wetlands (28th) were the other highlights. Two Bewicks at Leeshaw (10th) was the only record sent to us of wintering swans in the area. The passage of birds through the watchpoints slowed considerably after an initial burst of Fieldfare (582) and Redwing (421) on the 5th. On that day 1157 Woodpigeons passed our moorland watchpoint.

Members on the watch for raptors reported sightings of Hen Harrier, Red Kite, Pergrine, Buzzard and Merlin from a number of locations.Winter visitors included a snow bunting at Whetstone Gate (15th), and also on this day, three Madarin Ducks at the Strid. A few Waxwings were noted at Crossflatts, (19th), Burley (21st) and in the centre of Ilkley (29th). Parties of Brambling were moving in with 32 at Caldene Fields (1st) and Crossbills were seen at Timble and there was a flock of six in Fewston Car Park (9th).There were Jack Snipe records from Soil Hill (5th) and Caldene Fields (20th) and Water Rails were present at Stockbridge throughout the month. a single bird was heard by the Coppice Pond at St. Ives (6th).Mild weather during the early part of the month encouraged Lapwings to stay in the area with 400 at Denton Park (9th) and over 300 at Bowling Back Lane (16th), a flock of 200 at Glovershaw was accompanied by 25 Golden Plover (15th).The remnants of summer lingered on into the month with a Ring Ouzel at Soil Hill (5th) and two Skylarks on the 27th. On this day, a male Blackcap was seen in an Otley garden.

Of general interest was a Water Pipit at Marley (17th), and a first winter Little Gull at Leeshaw (7th).

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!