The expansion wavered slightly again this year with the average roost count at about 41 per month at Lindley Wood Reservoir, though this was up on last years but still below 2001. Despite this the highest count was increased again to 89, in October 11 more than last year.

The frequency of sightings in the Aire Valley increased again in 2003. The only sightings of Sinensis Cormorants were individuals at Otley Gravel Pits and Lindley Wood Reservoir in the spring, when the adults show their breeding plumage. This was quite poor in comparison with recent years.

The giddy heights of last year’s counts at Lindley Wood were not matched this year, as a total of 50 was reached on only one day, though even this would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. All other numbers were below last year’s average monthly count of 41. Double figures were also recorded from four other sites, and records in the Aire Valley continued to increase.

Various reports were received of birds showing characteristics of the continental race P.c.sinensis, with a maximum count of 10 at Lindley Wood Reservoir on 6th March.

There were around 200 records of this now common species in the area. Around 25% of these came from locations away from the strongholds in the Washburn Valley and Wharfedale, indicating that birds are apparently starting to spread out and relocate.

There is still a healthy (or, for some observers, unhealthy) population based on Lindley Wood Reservoir, where the monthly maxima recorded were 34 in February, 20 in July, 67 in August and 55 in September. These numbers are, however, somewhat down on other recent years. Double-figure counts elsewhere in this general area are no doubt attributable to this population, with up to 21 birds being seen on a number of occasions at Otley Wetland.

Elsewhere, there were double-figure counts of 12 birds at Eldwick Reservoir in September, 11 at Silsden Reservoir in October, and 20 at Chelker Reservoir and 28 at Elland Gravel Pits, both in December.

It will no doubt be of some comfort to the antagonists that there is so far no evidence of breeding in the area. However, courtship display was noted at Lindley Wood on 6th August.

On the basis of the good views provided and identification features noted, it is considered several birds present at Lindley Wood showed characteristics of the Continental race P. c. sinensis. These consisted of twelve on 3rd March, one on 3rd and 5th April, and at least seven on 27th July and 6th August. There was also a bird at Otley Wetland on 25th February.

The number of records submitted was about 15% down on the previous year, and the numbers of birds seen in the Washburn Valley, the species’ stronghold locally, are also reduced. On the other hand, birds were seen at as many as 33 locations, including 21 away from Wharfedale and the Washburn, from where most records originate.

Counts at the Lindley Wood Reservoir roost are certainly well down on those of five or six years ago, and the birds’ presence there is no longer perennial. The maximum numbers seen here were: January - 56, February - 21, March - 54, and 21 in April. After this, there was only one further record, of three birds in June.

Whilst records also came from a widespread range of other locations, there was nothing to suggest that birds had turned their attentions elsewhere in any numbers, as only two other double-figure counts were made: 14 at Chelker Reservoir in January, and 11 at Otley Wetland in November. These statistics will doubtless be of some comfort to anglers, but there is a blemish. A bird at Barden Scale on 5th July was seen well enough to be identified as a juvenile bird of the year, which had been raised in the preceding spring months, perhaps locally.

Individuals recorded at Otley Wetland on 7th January, and Barden Scale on 10th March showed some characteristics of the Continental race P.c.sinensis, and one seen at very close range on Lindley Wood Reservoir on the 23rd of that month was definitely this sub-species.

The number of reports is, at 130, over 30% down on those of 2005, and the numbers of birds seen are also down on recent years, and particularly so on the totals of six years ago. Out of only a few double-figure counts, totals of 35 at Lindley Wood Reservoir in January, and 26 at Otley Wetland in November were comfortably the highest, with the probability that the same birds commute between these sites.

Only 20% of the records originated away from Wharfedale and the Washburn Valley, mainly in Airedale and the Worth Valley, and a few from the south of Bradford. There is a suspicion that many of our birds are of the Continental race P.c.sinensis, and ten showed some characteristics of this sub-species.

Whilst a few juveniles were reported, there is no suggestion of breeding within the recording area.