It was a poor year for breeding records with only three sites being reported. Several other sites had birds displaying adults but no records of young. Breeding occurred at Chelker, Ogden and Lindley Wood reservoirs. Only one young was recorded at Chelker and Lindley Wood with just adults on a nest at Ogden.

An adult was seen on Swinsty Reservoir with a fully-grown juvenile late in August, and at Knotford Nook, one had three juveniles in accompaniment during the same month. The year’s highest counts came from the Otley area with 8 being seen on two occasions, at Otley Gravel Pits on 23rd February and at Knotford Nook on 24th October.

Once again, only three locations had successful breeding from the 15 sites from which reports were received. These were Otley Wetland Nature Reserve, Knotford Nook and Lindley Wood Reservoir. None of the breeding records involved more than one immature.

Yeadon Tarn had the highest post-breeding counts, with a maximum of 12 in November. One notable encounter was of an adult at Otley Wetland tackling a well-grown Pike and winning!

This species is usually well-recorded, and this year records came from ten widespread locations, but mainly from the Otley area and Washburn Valley. Up to seven birds were regularly reported, but the only double-figure count (excluding family groups) came from Yeadon Tarn, where wintering birds peaked at ten on 10th February.

There was evidence of attempted or successful breeding at Lindley Wood Reservoir, Hewenden Reservoir (two young), Otley Wetland Nature Reserve and Swinsty Reservoir. Four juvenile birds were seen at both of the last two sites. The number of breeding attempts is much in line with recent years, but with rather more young birds fledged.

Records came from 15 relatively widespread locations, in line with several other recent years, though the waters around Otley and the Washburn Valley continue to produce the most sightings. However, it was good to see reports from at least three sites where birds are generally scarce, Harold Park Lake (Wibsey), Warley Moor Reservoir, and St. Ives, where two long-standing observers there had their first records. After two years with double-figure congregations in winter, there were none this year, though up to six birds were noted regularly throughout, and there were locally good counts of seven birds at Knotford Nook in September, and eight at Yeadon Tarn and Lindley Wood Reservoir in November.

Breeding, or attempts, at five locations has become the average in recent years. This year, birds were successful at Otley Wetland Nature Reserve, where three young hatched but probably only two survived, at Knotford Nook (three juveniles), and, most notably, at Chelker Reservoir, where a rare breeding record produced two young. A bird was seen on a nest at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir, and nest-building noted at Lindley Wood, but the outcomes were probably unsuccessful.

A well-recorded species, though only 15 sites were involved, in line with last year, and most records came from lower Wharfedale and the Washburn Valley. Notable exceptions were Cononley Ings, Leeshaw Reservoir, where birds haven’t been seen for many years, the Bull Coppy Wood area (near Saltaire) and Chellow Dean.

Successful breeding took place at the last two, and at Otley Wetland, with a total of five pairs producing nine young. Display activity and nests were seen elsewhere, but without apparent breeding success.

Outside the breeding season the largest congregations were seven birds at Yeadon Tarn and Otley Wetland in January, and at the second site in March.

Still evidently common, with up to seven birds being seen at a number of locations, including several pairs. Breeding was proved at Otley Wetland and Silsden Reservoir.

Though still common, the numbers of wintering birds were down, and five at Yeadon Tarn was the highest. Breeding was attempted at Silsden, Lindley Wood and John o’ Gaunt’s reservoirs, and Otley Wetland, but only one juvenile was seen.