The species was not particularly well-recorded in 2005, but there were good numbers on migration, and some large aggregations elsewhere. Unfortunately, there was again a dearth of breeding information.

The first winter period had a good total of 60 birds at Marley Sewage Works on 15th January, and an especially notable count of 32 birds in an Oxenhope garden on 22nd February. Early song and display-flighting was noted in Queensbury on 30th January. This turned out to be the only example of such activity, and almost of breeding in general, as a report of young birds came only from St. Ives in July. Despite this, there is no reason to suppose any change in status.

The few records covering the summer months were notable only for another garden record (of seven birds seen regularly in Oakworth), and a good-sized flock of 60 birds near Silsden on 5th August. Very quickly, migration watches took over, and in September and October around 1140 birds were logged at the principal sites. On 2nd October there was a particularly large passage, and 112 birds were recorded at Denholme Clough, 109 at Cold Edge Dams and 144 at Thornton Moor. The following day a locally big flock of 68 birds was seen at Leeshaw.

Only four records covered the whole of December, but quality prevailed, with an excellent total of 200 birds roosting near Weecher Reservoir on 10th, and another good garden total of 25 birds from Silsden.

Whilst better-recorded than in 2005, some 16% of the reports came from gardens, and 40% referred to visible migration, so it is difficult to get a true perspective of the species’ status in the area, especially as very few reports related to the summer months.

All the bigger aggregations in the first three months were birds in gardens, with one in Silsden producing between 18 and 28 birds on five dates, and another in Oxenhope the higher of these figures in January. This same location also produced the next big count, with 25 birds on 1st August, after which the larger numbers referred almost entirely to birds seen on autumn migration. The exceptions were a thirty-strong flock at Golcar Farm in August, and up to 25 birds at Ogden Reservoir in October. Greenfinches seem particularly attracted to garden feeders, and other records came from Otley, Baildon, Keelham, Oakworth and Ben Rhydding.

By early September, dispersal was evident, and on a larger scale than has previously been recorded. During the months of September and October around 2300 birds were seen from the principal watchpoints in the south of the area. Paul Clough lead the way, with a total of 913, and impressive day counts of 228 and 192 on 26th and 29th September. Regular watching at Thornton Moor Reservoir amassed 669 birds, and a maximum of 145 on 8th October, Caldene Fields had 547 birds, and a day’s maximum of 86, whilst Denholme Clough, though the least-watched, still notched up 184, and a day maximum of 43 birds.

After a single breeding report in 2005, it is pleasing to have eight such records this year. Nest-building was noted at Stockbridge at the end of March, and breeding was then proved in an Oxenhope garden, and at Denton and Howgill Wood. Elsewhere, juveniles seen at Oakworth, Ben Rhydding, Baildon and Pool Paper Mills pointed to birds having bred in these vicinities as well.

For a common resident species, Greenfinch is poorly recorded, other than birds seen on autumn migration. By way of illustration, only nine observers submitted 30 records for the first eight months of the year, and there were just another three contributors submitting a paltry eight reports for the last two months.

What information can be gleaned from this is somewhat limited, but it can be said that only two double-figure flocks were seen: 32 on Baildon Moor in July and 17 at Ogden Reservoir in December. Five gardens had birds, at Otley, Bingley, Riddlesden, Thornton and Sconce, and at the last three, juveniles were seen, indicating local breeding. This also took place at Marley Hall Farm, where a pair raised three young.

The records for September to the first few days of November were almost wholly in respect of birds on the move, the only significant exception being 25 on Baildon Moor in September. Out of the seasonal total of 1389, Caldene Fields lead the way this year, with 740 birds, and a maximum of 101 on 30th October, the site’s best ever daily count. Thornton Moor produced 404 (maximum of 152 on 22nd September), and Denholme Clough 201, of which 76 on 30th September was the daily highest. Three other sites amassed a total of 42 birds, including Paul Clough, which, interestingly, had produced 913 birds the year before.

Present in good numbers throughout, and increasingly evident in gardens. Seasonal migration counts at Thornton Moor logged an autumn total of some 740, and 210 at Caldene Fields on 4th October was the biggest day count.