September was mainly an unsettled month, but a plume of air from the continent brought extremely warm and near record temperatures at the end of the month.

A small flock of about ten Pintails headed SW over Denholme Clough (25th) and at the moorland watch-point, eight Common Scoters flew, just as they do at sea, interchanging between a long train and a tight bunch, without deviation, towards the NW (30th). It was here that a multiple kettle of Buzzards was noted with eleven birds seen in a short space of time as they drifted south and east, as many as sixteen birds could have been involved in the passage. A Hen Harrier was also picked up at a great height whilst it interacting with one of the Buzzards (27th). A Meadow Pipit count of 7498, smashed the previous record by almost 1500 birds (26th).

On the 8th an Osprey flew through Leeshaw whilst a Sandwich Tern went over Warley Moor Reservoir later in the day. A female Yellow Wagtail was amongst a flock of Pied Wagtails at Coney Warren (3rd) and a few days later, two more were recorded at Upwood Farm another was at Fly Flatts (11th). A Ring Ouzel was seen near the Lower Reservoir House on Barden Moor (14th). A male Marsh Harrier was seen quartering the moor above Thuscross (4th) and a Hobby was seen perched on the edge of the conifer wood at Stainburn Plantation (14th).

Denholme Clough was the place to be during the first few days of the month with great numbers of passerines surging through. In addition to six different species of Warbler, there was also a Willow Tit, a couple of Tree Pipits and good numbers of Siskin (4th). A week later, during another very hectic period, 55 Chiffchaffs were counted and over 750 Swallows headed south (10th).

Wheatear passage continued, particularly through the Glovershaw area and, in the south of the area at Nab Water Lane (29th) and Fly Flatts there were reports of what appeared to be birds of the Greenland race.

The Egyptian Geese, first seen during August, were still at Redcar Tarn, whilst a second summer Mediterranean Gull was at the moorland watch-point (2nd). A Grey Plover was the north-east shoreline at Warley Moor Reservoir (11th).

A late Swift was over Baildon BankBarden (25th) and three Spotted Flycatchers were seen at Fewston (8th)
Whinchats were noted on Whetstone Allotment and at Glovershaw, whilst Stonechats were also seen in the same locations, and on Silsden Moor.

Big flocks of post-breeding passerines in the form of 350 Linnets on Soil Hill (15th), over 70 Crossbills at Rivock Edge Plantation (13th), 70 Redpoll and 30 Siskin at Barden Bridge in addition to marauding flocks of Goldfinch at Glovershaw (4th), were reported.

The first definite Redwings of the season were heard high overhead in the calm and blackness of pre sunrise first light at the moorland watch-point (27th).

This was a month of changeable weather with a mixture of wind, showers, fog and plenty of sunshine. Highlights were seen by those who ventured to the migration watch-points where up to three Honey Buzzards, a juvenile Gannet, a Wryneck, three Ospreys, a couple of Black Terns and an unusual passage of Lapland Buntings were reported.

The first Honey Buzzard went by the Oxenhope watch-point (22nd) and next day at Stainburn, one flew through SW into the Wharfe and a little later, parallel to this route another one went through. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier appeared out of the gloom at Stainburn and headed south with a motley gang of corvids in pursuit (30th) and a Short-eared Owl worked across the Oxenhope moorland (17th).

An Osprey seen from the Stainburn watch-point (12th) was flying along the line of the A61. Next day another Osprey was seen over Chellow Dene whilst being mobbed by corvids and the following day, at the Oxenhope watch-point, whilst scanning around, a distant large raptor came into view just south of Denholme, which also proved to be an Osprey.

A member was fortunate to have close views of a Hobby, moving down the valley and over Strid Woods (9th) and a Merlin was seen on Coney Warren and two went through Oxenhope watch-point on consecutive days (15th & 16th). At the Stainburn watch-point, at least three different Merlins, including a male, passed through (20th) and two kettles of Buzzards, 10 to South and 12 to the North probably represented moving birds on a busy day when nearly 1000 Swallows stormed through (21st).

On the 9th, a Wryneck was seen at the Oxenhope watch-point, firstly on the dam wall and then ‘lolloping’ across the water and into the heather. A juvenile Gannet was picked out flying over Wyke on the morning of 26th, this was only our 6th record of this species.

At the Oxenhope watch-point four Knot had been present all day, but were hidden by the morning rains and low cloud (10th) and another was seen there at the end of the month (29th). A Little Stint was seen running through a pack of roosting Gulls (14th) and a distant Greenshank went high and west over the moor, whilst Ringed Plover calls could be heard over the water (9th). Eight Dunlin in one flock came in from the east and cries from a Grey Plover were heard from the fog above the moor (19th). A Grey Plover and 30 roosting Curlew were seen at Kex Gill (12th) and a juvenile Ringed Plover made an evening visit to Stockbridge (10th). In the Skipton Area, six Curlew Sandpipers flew overhead (14th)

Two Black Terns suddenly appeared at the moorland watch-point (13th). The birds rode high over the embankment into the strong wind, initially going down to far end of water and then u-turned and rose very rapidly to become almost insect like as they headed off NW. It’s thought that these were possibly the pair that were seen later in the day over Morecambe Bay. Two days later, an Arctic Tern came in, landed briefly before aggression from the other birds put it up and then it left after a stay of 25 minutes.

Meadow Pipits piled through the watch-points during the third week, but fog and mist hampered the watchers. Almost 3000 were countered on the 21st which was a massive under representation as the peak period of movement was obscured. From the 12th to the 30th, Lapland Buntings were reported on seven occasions, with singles, mostly seen at the Oxenhope watch-point, but one passed Stainburn and five went over Kex Gill. A Similar number of Brambling passed the watch-points and Snow Bunting was noted at the Oxenhope site(25th). Close by, at Paul Clough, two Ring Ouzels gave excellent views (30th).

Other notable passerines were two Yellow Wagtails, near Bolton Abbey (7th), five Spotted Flycatcher at Barden (9th), a family party of Stonechats at Trough Lane (5th), a Marsh Tit in the woods below Scargill Reservoir (11th), a Rock Pipit at the Oxenhope watch-point and a grand flock of 25 Twite along the road past Stainburn Moor (22nd).

Whinchat were noted at Nab Water Lane (5th), Glovershaw (6th & 7th), Oxenhope watch-point (9th &11th) and Scargill Reservoir (11th). Later in the month, 70 House Martins passed through the Aire Valley heading slowly south and a large group of 250 Sand Martins together with a few Swallows also went down the valley (28th).

A potential harbinger of a bumper Autumn was in the form of six Goldcrests at Stainburn and flocks of Redwing arriving in the area, with a small, but important 243 at the Oxenhope watch-point (26th).

September was a very dry month with many good mild spells. The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the arrival of a Spotted Crake at Skption Old Sewage Works which showed very well during its short stay. The bird was first seen by a member on the 14th feeding from the reed bed on one of the old sludge ponds. It remained there over the next few days. Of the other unusual species reported, the picks were probably a Lapland Bunting at the Moorland watch-point (23rd), a Marsh Tit at Ogden Reservoir (19th) and a Yellow Wagtail below Scargill Reservoir (18th).

Meadow Pipit movement was reported from the watch-points in the south of the area with three-figure counts registered on the 6th (1101), 19th (1348), 23rd (1371), 24th (1076) and 27th (1659). Over 11,000 were recorded during this period of observation. Swallow passage also continued apace with 337 (6th) and a high of 619 at the end of the month (27th). Over 100 House Martins were seen near Druids Altar and as these hirundines were departing the first winter visitors passed in the shape of a Fieldfare flying over the moorland watch-point (11th) and a Redwing at Denholme Clough (20th).

Returning birds of prey included an Osprey over the moorland watch-point (5th), a Marsh Harrier in the Wharfe Valley (9th & 10th) and Honey Buzzards also there (9th) and near Skipton (11th).

Three Shelduck were seen on Leeshaw Reservoir (1st) and another three, or perhaps it was the same ones, on Lindley Reservoir (27th). A Sanderling was seen flying west at the moorland watch-point (5th), a Greenshank visited John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir (9th), three Green Sandpipers frequented the ditches and ponds around Skipton Sewage Works (17th) and the passage of Snipe at the watch-point peaked at 22 (27th).Spotted Flycatchers were seen at Golcar Farm, Glovershaw (1st), Paul Clough (5th), Swinsty and John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir (9th), Strid Woods (16th) and near Scargill Reservoir (18th). Three-figure counts of Crossbill and Siskin came from Timble (27th) and Hollins Plantation (24th) respectively.

As expected Wheatear passage was well recorded with over 50 seen up until the end of the month. Invariably, these sightings coincided with the movement of Whinchats and Stonechats. The former were noted at Trough Lane (1st), John o’ Gaunt’s (9th) and particularly Glovershaw, where there was a total of six birds at various times at the beginning of the month. There has been a noticeable drop in the number of breeding Stonechats but during the month there were regular reports of family parties which were seen at Glovershaw (5th), Whetstone Gate (10th), the moorland watch-point (11th) and Scargill Pasture (18th).

September began as August ended with a continuation of the unsettled period of weather and only during the third week was there a dry spell. The migration of birds, however, was very well recorded with the keenest of birders braving the inclement weather to communicate the news through the pages of the ‘daily blog’.

The passage of migrating and visiting birds of prey was again well reported with Ospreys seen from the Wharfedale watch-point on eight occasions and another passed over the south of the area (7th). Hobbies were occasionally reported in the area, one was seen sitting on a fence post on Weston Moor (8th), on the same day one briefly visited the moorland watch-point, five days later another bird was catching dragonflies at Barden Bridge and yet another was hunting over Soil Hill (20th & 23rd). Merlins appeared at the moorland watch-point (7th), at Denholme Clough (23rd & 27th) and the Wharfedale watch-point (20th) where a Marsh Harrier had been sighted on the 10th and Hen Harriers (23rd & 27th). The highlight for observers at this point was undoubtedly a Honey Buzzard which was seen going to a roost on the 17th, and it was again reported the following day when a Wryneck was seen flying past.

Three Shelduck were recorded at the moorland watch-point (12th), on the previous day, in the Aire Valley at Cononley, up to four (11th) birds were seen and also two Common Scoter. It was in this area that a Wood Sandpiper was reported (7th) in addition to two Green Sandpipers, which had also been seen in August, and a Greenshank was on Doe Park Reservoir (21st). There were two sightings of Grey Plover at Kex Gill (8th) and another, seen flying overhead, by a member at High Moor Plantation.Four of our vis-mig watchpoints recorded skeins of Pink-footed Geese overhead, several groups were seen totalling over 600 geese (28th).

Short-eared Owls were seen hunting at Leeshaw (1st) and in the Beamsley/Middleton Moor area (14th) and about 100 Wheatears passed through the area, and from numerous locations, Stonechats and Whinchats were reported, with the Oxenhope area in the south, Glovershaw, Whetstone Gate and Barden, in the north, being the most likely places to see these birds.Another Bluethroat was reported in our area, the second this year, this time at Snaygill (27th) where a juvenile bird was seen.

A juvenile Ring Ouzel was feeding on Barden Moor (12th), a Red crested Pochard flew onto Yeadon Tarn (18th) and a Reed Warbler visited Stockbridge (25th). Small flocks of Crossbills were seen at various places including Paul Clough (2nd), Denholme Clough (28th) and on the western edge of Rombalds Moor (26th). Early in the month, good flocks of Siskin were located at Paul Clough and Sconce Lane, and later nearly 200 flew over the moorland watch-point (23rd) and a further harbinger of winter came in the form of two Redwing at Stockbridge (17th).

Over 4500 hirundines moved through the area on the 12th to the 14th and Meadow Pipit numbers were gathering pace with large totals of up to 830 (15th) seen from the moorland watch-points.

September was predominantly mild and dry, until the final week, when the weather became unsettled. Conditions for migration were not always what we would have liked, and it was not until the weather changed at the end of the month, when flocks of Redwings arrived and Swallows departed in large numbers, that birding became particularly interesting.

The first winter thrushes were seen at Paul Clough on the 22nd when a single Redwing and a Fieldfare flew over. By the 27th, Redwings were surging into the country, as 3850 were counted during a four hour period at the moorland watch-point, and over 5000 had been reported by the month end. As this was happening, Swallows were leaving in large numbers with up to 5000 birds counted moving southwards during the month.

Over 1000 Swallows passed the moorland watch-point on the 9th, and on this date the flood of passing Meadow Pipits began and by the end of the month, over 8000 had been counted. Pink-footed Geese were also seen passing over various locations with skeins of over 100 at the moorland watch-point on 26th and 30th.

Other passing migrants of note included Ring Ouzels which were seen at the moorland watch-point, and at Lower Barden and on six occasions at Paul Clough. Spotted Flycatchers were seen at seven different locations, including Villa Road in Bingley, and a Redstart was noted in Denholme Clough on two occasions (2nd and 9th). 76 Wheatears were seen, at the usual places, with the highest counts being eight at Nab Water Lane (3rd and 6th) and Glovershaw (8th). Stonechats have now become a relatively common moorland bird, and September is the perfect month to see family parties. This very attractive bird was very much in evidence, with 30 records of 110 birds seen throughout the region on our moorland fringes. Its close cousin the Whinchat seems to have had a good month with 14 reports, Nab Water Lane, Oxenhope and Glovershaw, Baildon, being the most likely location.

The final passing of summer was recorded by the presence of Whitethroats at Glovershaw (4th), Stockbridge (6th), Slippery Ford (9th), and three Reed Warblers at Otley Wetland (15th). A Wood Warbler in Denholme Clough on the 3rd and a Swift over the moorland watch-point (22nd) were certainly highlights.Winter passerines were becoming more common during the month with the first Bramblings seen at the moorland watch-point (27th and 30th). Redpoll and Siskin were both recorded with 35 of the former in Denholme Clough (22nd) and about 100 of the latter species at Paul Clough (20th). Three Crossbills were seen bathing in Kettlewell Reservoir, St. Ives (9th), and four more were at Timble (30th).The high-water levels of our reservoirs has had a devastating affect on migrating waders and as a consequence there were few reports, only a solitary Green Sandpiper calling at Scargill Reservoir on the 3rd was of note.The most interesting birds of prey consisted of Marsh Harriers, one was seen over Oxenhope (7th) and then a juvenile bird was seen passing Denholme Clough (16th). There was also a report of a Hobby heading towards the Flappit, Cullingworth (23rd) and another over the moorland watch-point (27th).

Sizeable flocks of Mistle Thrushes were seen in the area with the biggest being 42 at Paul Clough (10th). 46 Skylarks were grounded on Norr Hill, Wilsden (25th), 12 Bullfinches passed through Paul Clough (20th) and 16 Twites were seen at Fly Flatts, perilously close to an interested Sparrowhawk!

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were reported from Baildon Bank (7th) and Kettlewell Reservoir, in St. Ives (9th). A Red-breasted Merganser visited Ogden Water (29th), a Black Redstart was still present on Soil Hill until the 3rd, and a male Common Scoter was seen from the moorland watch-point (20th). The exotic sighting of the month was probably a Rose-ringed Parakeet which was seen by many people who visited Shipley Glen during the second week of the month.

September got off to a very poor start with two days of torrential rain, the weather then quietened down and the rest of the month was mainly dry and settled with just the occasional bout of precipitation with temperatures remaining high throughout.

Wheatears were consistently seen at Nab Water Lane, Trough Lane, Whetstone Gate, Fly Flats, Bingley Moor, Sandwith Moor and Glovershaw with over 200 reported throughout the month with a high of 18 at Trough Lane (5th).An observer on Lee Lane near Leeshaw Reservoir counted 168 Linnets (1st).

Members reported two Red-crested Pochards at Otley Wetlands (2nd) and on the same day a Scaup was seen at Knotford Nook. A roost of 41 redheaded Goosanders assembled at the moorland watch-point (10th), and Wigeons were beginning to be seen in many places the biggest groups were 18 at Lower Laithe and 17 at Fly Flats (11th).

Whinchats seemed to be present in reasonable numbers with reports of birds seen at Nab Water Lane, Thornton Moor watch-point, Intake Gate, Trough Lane, Fly Flats, Leeshaw and Glovershaw. A family flock of five birds was present, alongside the Glen Road, Glovershaw throughout the first week of the month.Stonechats are now a well established breeding species and reports of their presence during September are to be expected. Members reported seeing them at a variety of locations including Glovershaw, Nab Water Lane, Penistone Hill, Intake Gate, Trough Lane, Paul Clough, Ellar Carr Pike, Fly Flats, Thornton Moor and Sandwith Moor.Late warblers included Reed Warblers at Stockbridge (1st) and Otley Wetland (3rd), a Grasshopper Warbler at Paul Clough (9th).

There were Whitethroats at Bradup (2nd), Glovershaw (5th), Paul Clough (9th) and two late birds were seen in a Cullingworth Garden on the 25th. Two Lesser Whitethroats were at Toad Holes Beck on the 9th.There were a few Spotted Flycatcher sightings early in the month with birds seen around John o’Gaunts Reservoir, Stainburn Forest, Golcar Farm (where they have probably bred), Crook Farm, Baildon and Paul Clough. It was at the latter spot where members saw a later Spotted Flycatcher on the 25th. It was also at this excellent site that Ring Ouzels were seen (4th, 9th and 30th) with two birds there on the 25th. Willow Tits were noted in woodland by Scargill Reservoir (8th) and at Denholme Clough (23rd).

By the middle of the month Siskins were appearing in small flocks with sightings at Paul Clough, Doe Park and the moorland watch-point and Redpoll were at Timble in large numbers (24th). Yellow Wagtails, scarce all summer, appeared at Sconce Lane, Baildon, the moorland watch-point (both 17th) and Otley Wetland (23rd). Interesting visitors included a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull at the moorland watch-point on the 2nd, six Common Scoter were there three days later, and four Greenshank were at Doe Park Reservoir (3rd).

An Osprey passed the watch-point at Barden Scale (1st) and one flew over Thornton Moor (5th).A member witnessed an Osprey being ‘mobbed’ by crows as it sat in a tree at Lower Laithe Reservoir (17th). On the 21st a Hobby was seen chasing hirundines over the copse just north of Leeshaw Reservoir. A female Black Redstart attracted members to the moorland watch-point at the end of the month, where 2500 Meadow pipits passed through (29th).The 9th was a good day for rarer visitors, with an Arctic Skua over Kex Gill, a Pectoral Sandpiper at Connonley Ings and two Marsh Harriers, one over Sandwith Moor and another by Leeshaw Reservoir.

A member reported that whilst watching a Sparrowhawk in Bull Copy Woods, Saltaire, they saw it catch a Great Spotted Woodpecker, it was subsequently ‘mobbed’ by three magpies and jays and eventually it had to release the GSW. Also of note were five Kingfishers, seen on a garden pond in Frizinghall (10th)!

The harbingers of winter were provided by a couple of Redwings over Caldene Fields on the 9th.

In a peak migration month, September proved to be as interesting and exciting as usual with some good sightings being reported via the website. On the 1st, four Curlew Sandpipers and eight Dunlin, called briefly at Thornton Moor Reservoir. Two Curlew Sandpipers and a Dunlin were present on the following day and at the well-watched Paul Clough, eighteen Siskins passed through. Two days later over 50 Siskin were noted at this excellent spot. Over 1300 Swallows were recorded over Thornton Moor Reservoir (4th) and 25 Snipe were seen at Cold Edge Dams.

A Marsh Harrier was seen over Ilkley Moor (7th) and a Wryneck at TMR where Meadow Pipit numbers were rising by the day, with 787 on the 11th. At this Member’s Only Reserve an adult Mediterranean Gull on the 12th and a roost of 22 Goosander on the following day and two Ruff (15th). Roosting Goosander numbers had climbed to 36 by the 17th and on that day at Doe Park a Bar-tailed Godwit and 34 Pink-footed Geese were noted. A Little Egret was at Cringles Lane, Silsden on the 18th and an Osprey was over Oxenhope on the 20th of the month. 628 Meadow Pipits were counted in Paul Clough (21st) and also five Ring Ouzels, twenty-two Redpoll and a large flock of finches. On the same day, over 1000 Mipits were recorded at the TMR Watchpoint. It was here that the first Snow Buntings were seen (25th) with four birds, together with nearly 2000 Meadow Pipits, 64 Golden Plover, nine Ringed Plover and fourteen Snipe. Throughout the latter days of September high numbers of Meadow Pipits were recorded from many places, another good day was the 28th when over 2000 were seen over Thornton Moor.

On the 29th, a Peregrine was seen by a passenger from Keighley station, and a note of concern was expressed at the sight of seven Cormorants on the Eldwick Compensation Reservoir (3rd) taking advantage of the reduced water-level.

Much of September was dominated by a westerly airflow and not until the last few days did high pressure establish itself over Scandinavia and the winds move to a more northerly direction.

The month opened with the sighting of a small flock of Crossbills on Otley Chevin (2nd). Two days later (4th) a flock of 17 Snipe were recorded at Kex Gill, this links with the news that at Blacktoft Sands on the 3rd a flock of 250 were recorded. Certain species could be found in increasing numbers with 137 Coot at Knotford and 350 Lapwing at Silsden Floods. A family party of four Spotted Flycatchers was in the Askwith area. Raptor numbers in the Wharfe Valley were beginning to improve with a high of three Red Kites (5th). St. Ives had a Redpoll on this date and two female Pintails were seen briefly on the Lindley Wood Reservoir. A Daubenton's Bat was by the bridge over the Wharfe at Otley, in full daylight at 3 pm, appearing to drink from the river - it was 27 degrees at the time. Throstle Nest Farm, Otley, had a Tree Sparrow (7th) and a Chiffchaff was singing from a Queensbury Garden. The following day our highest village had three calling Oystercatcher at 21.40. A family of four Stonechats was observed moving along the moorland wall Glovershaw Lane, Baildon (8th) together with a male Wheatear and another pair of Stonechat.

Interesting observations on the 9th included a first winter Black Tern at Otley Wetlands in common with a small influx of this species into the country, a Pied Flycatcher at Paul Clough and an early Redwing overhead in Wilsden at 6.20am! 52 Tufted Duck were counted on Fewston (18th) where numbers have remained good for some time and the Whooper Swan was still present also. Over 300 House Martins were feeding over Lindley Reservoir. A Red-throated Diver was noted at the dam end on Fewston (21st) and an albino hirundine flew by Bolton Priory on the 22nd. Pink-footed Geese were in evidence by the 26th, with 13 at Fewston and 30 flying over Queensbury and calling at 11.55pm! The national picture showed that good numbers of Pink-footed Geese were on the move with Barnacle Geese moving along the northeast coast. Chelker had a Rock Pipit on this day, Stockbridge two Kingfishers and a Water Rail and observers in the Wharfe Valley reported a female Hen Harrier and at least seven Buzzards. One of the more unusual records included a Gadwall on Lister Park boating lake (27th) and by the 28th juvenile Red Kites were seen over the dales. The month ended (30th) with Redwing calling from a Queensbury garden and a family party of Stonechat at Whetstone Gate.