BTO Report May 2006

The weather during May was generally disappointing. The first ten days were warm and sunny, but this was soon to change when rain arrived and temperatures dropped. This very unsettled spell stayed for two weeks during which time there were many heavy downpours. The month ended with a cool northerly air-stream bringing strong winds and only slightly better conditions for birding. It was the wettest May since 1983.

On the 1st of the month eight Bar-tailed Godwits visited Otley Wetland, and later that day, possibly the same group were seen in the Bolton Abbey area. Two more Bar-tailed Godwits were at the reserve on the following day and on the 7th a summer plumaged bird was seen. On the 7th two Dunlins were reported displaying, and on the following day observers watched a male Garganey and a Turnstone as Shelduck flew over. On the 12th a Ruff was present and on the 20th two Sanderling.

By the 3rd Swifts had begun to arrive, with many reports from around the area. Reed Buntings were establishing breeding territory with up to five males singing from the area on either side of the Glen Road, Baildon. Twites were seen in the south of the area particularly around Fly Flats where 20 were noted and at Leeshaw where a single bird was seen and a Cuckoo was heard there (3rd).

By the 8th May Wheatear numbers, as reported to the website, had risen to 308 birds many seen at Trough Lane, Glovershaw and on Bingley Moor. 26 Wheatears were seen in one day at Trough Lane (3rd).
During those warm, early days of May, Tree Pipits were reported from Timble , John o’ Gaunts and St. Ives. Two Wood Warblers (2nd) could be heard in Shipley Glen and a Yellowhammer had established territory by Crook Farm, Baildon. Redstarts had returned to John o’ Gaunts (4th), Whitethroat at Gallows Hill (5th), and Stonechats were reported from Glovershaw, Lower Barden and Whetstone Gate.

On the 6th, weekend birders at Stockbridge saw a pair of Shovelers. At Leeshaw, Common Sandpipers had made their first appearance, and at Toad Holes Beck a Lesser Whitethroat was in full song. This day was certainly one for the summer migrants with St. Ives providing records of Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher as well as Garden Warbler and Whitethroat being reported from around the area. Up to six Spotted Flycatchers were established in St. Ives by the end of the month. On the 7th Knotford Nook supplied us with the first recorded Yellow Wagtail, two Common Terns were at Otley Wetland and a Little Ringed Plover had been seen in the area.

Timble Ings are always worth a visit at this time of year and on the 4th a male Marsh Harrier passed over. From the Watch-point at Barden, an Osprey was seen passing northwards (16th) and one passed Timble on the 28th.
It’s not often that we see Tawny Owls, but when they are ‘mobbed ‘ by Magpies and Jays in broad daylight, as happened in a Bingley Garden, it’s worthy of note. Also on the domestic front, House Martins had built nests on an Eldwick house 10th.

To round off the sightings, a flock of 15 Golden Plovers were feeding in the fields behind Golcar Farm, Glovershaw (2nd), roding Woodcock were seen at Timble and Shipley Glen and Middleton Woods, always a good place to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, produced one on the 5th.