October was a very dry, sunny and relatively mild month. Conditions were excellent for autumn watching and the birds didn’t disappoint. The major highlight was a Great Grey Shrike which stayed around the boating lake area at Otley Wetland from the 9th to 13th. Of course, rarities bring birders out in numbers and true to form other interesting birds were seen in this area during this time, included a Barn Owl (10th), Red-crested Pochard, Whooper Swan and a Grey Plover.

Ospreys were seen early in month at Draughton Heights (1st) and Chelker Reservoir (3rd) and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier was observed from our watch-point in Wharfedale (17th). Eight Red Kites in the sky at the same time (5th), seen at this location, amply demonstrates the successful re-introduction of these birds to the area. During the middle of the month a first-winter Red Kite with two green tags from the Dumfries area was identified. Merlins were reported by three observers and a Peregrine had moved into Wharfedale at the end of the month.

On the 14th, over 1500 Pink-footed Geese were recorded passing over the area, mostly from west to east in large skeins of up to 300 birds. Seven Whooper Swans were noted at the moorland watch-point (19th) in addition to other sightings at Otley Wetland and Leeshaw (20th). At our moorland watch-point, a Goosander roost of 73 was recorded (6th) and a Barnacle Goose visited Leeshaw (21st).

Visible migration watchers recorded some spectacular flocks, particularly in the south of the region. Up to 3000 Meadow Pipits were counted, with a high of 771 (6th) at the moorland watch-point, 5500 Wood Pigeons, the highest count at Caldene Fields 1579 (30th) and a total of over 8400 relocating Starlings from a variety of sites.

Winter thrushes moved into the area in large numbers during the month, over 10 000 Fieldfares being reported, with the greatest number 3000, at the moorland watch-point (19th). Redwings were similarly evident, a total of over 3500 passing through, with the high point at around the same time.

The final Wheatear was recorded at the moorland watch-point (15th) and a few Ring Ouzels were seen here early in the month, with a final sighting of a single bird at Oldfield Lane (21st). Stonechats continued to be reported from moorland areas and Twite were prominent at the feeding site at Fly Flatts.

Crossbills, mainly at Timble Ings, where over 30 were regularly seen, and occasionally Redpolls and Siskins, the latter being more widely distributed, kept birders alert during the good weather. Other passerines relocating included high numbers of Chaffinches and Greenfinches passing our watch-points, and 50 Skylarks were seen grounded on Norr Hill, Wilsden (2nd).

Two Water Rails had returned to Stockbridge by the 14th and up to 60 Mandarin Ducks were counted in Strid Wood and over 400 Golden Plovers were seen near Tong Street, Bradford (21st). Other highlights included a Green Sandpiper making a brief visit to Stockbridge (21st), a Rock Pipit and Grey Plover at the moorland watch-point (5th) and the welcome site of a ring-tailed Hen Harrier over the moorland of Wharfedale (17th).