February 2006 was a much cooler month than any of the preceding months of winter. There was a cold spell during the first few days and then the first real precipitation of the year occurred during the middle of the month. February ended on a very cold note with night frosts and low daytime temperatures caused by a northerly wind that brought cloudless skies.

The numbers of ducks was still quite low for this season, with Otley Wetland Reserve recording 13 Wigeon, 23 Pochard, 23 Goldeneye and 38 Tufted Ducks (5th). At Silsden Reservoir there were 40 Tufted Ducks on the 11th, and the next day 23 at Redcar Tarn. A male Shoveler was at Knotford on the 15th and two Gadwall were seen at a small private lake in the Washburn.

Pink-footed Geese passing over the area included 80 at Lindley (11th) and 150 over Haworth on this day and 150 over Shipley on the 14th.

The Redcar Tarn area hosted 370 Lapwing (4th) and Glovershaw numbers were beginning to grow with 200 on the 14th.

A Jack Snipe was seen at Otley Wetland on the 5th and members at Stockbridge continued to notice the presence of Water Rails with up to three seen during the month.
A male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was sighted along the High Coach Road Baildon (6th) and Lindley Trout Farm, where a pair was unsuccessfully enticed into a net and at Baxter’s Pond in St. Ives, where a male bird was espied in the high branches.

The most spectacular raptor movement occurred on the 9th, when a Marsh Harrier was seen heading north-west from the Barden watch-point. It was from here that Red Kite, Buzzard, Raven and Sparrowhawk were all recorded during the month.

There were singing Dippers on the River Aire at Mrytle Park (4th) and at Ponden Reservoir a pair was noted (12th). They were nicely spaced along the Wharfe with five on territory between Cavendish and Barden Bridge.

A Blackcap is regularly visiting Crossflatts garden to feed on rotting apples and one was also noted in a garden at nearby Riddlesden. 60 Siskins were seen at Stockbridge (12th) and on this day, 300 Starlings were feeding in fields alongside Moor Lane at Askwith.

Waxwings were again seen from the Burley-in-Wharfedale by-pass where they have been regulars now for many weeks. Exotic species noted by our observers included a female Wood Duck at Otley Old Bridge and the return of the Ring-necked Teal amongst the Mallards on the canal at Dowley Gap.

The month ended with clear blue skies and a raw northerly blowing, but a Skylark was back on Soil Hill and a Red Kite had penetrated as far as Ben Rhydding.