Quite a well recorded species throughout the recording area. Double figure counts away from breeding colonies were as follows; 10 and 12 at Marley sewage works on 18th May and 14th June respectively; at Lindley Wood Reservoir there were 13 on 27th September, 12 on 25th October and 18 on 16th November; the only double figure count in the first half of the year was of 17 at Lindley Trout Farm on 14th January.

Breeding was recorded at three locations. A massive total of 35 nests were found at Askwith, over 100 young were present, there were another 10 nests at Dob Park. At a private site 19 nests produced over 60 young

As usual, this species was well-recorded throughout the year, with most reports coming from the northern and central sectors of the area. There were only two double-figure counts away from the breeding colonies: 20 near Hirstwood on 10th January, and 12 there on 24th.

The two main breeding sites had collectively the same number of nests as in 2004, and slightly fewer young birds. At Askwith 40 nests generated 77 young, and at a private location the slightly increased total of seventeen nests produced 50 young, up on last year. The steady decline of the formerly productive Dob Park colony appears to be terminal, as this year there was no breeding there. Elsewhere, three young were raised from five nests at Luddendenfoot, and nest-building was noted at Elland Gravel Pits. Juvenile birds were seen on several occasions at Barden, and at Timble Ings, Otley Wetland and Lindley Wood Reservoir, at least some of which will have presumably originated from the two local breeding areas.

An all-dark bird at Lower Laithe Reservoir on 9th July caused some initial excitement, but was found to be a melanistic Grey Heron.

A species which holds much interest for members, and, in consequence, continues to be very well recorded. Reports came from a variety of 43 widespread locations, although there were relatively few from south of Airedale, and included an increasing number of sightings from the suburbs.

Up to nine birds were seen on a number of occasions, but, apart from breeding sites, double-figure counts were limited to seven records. Ten birds were in the fields by Milnerfield Farm, at the bottom of Shipley Glen, in January and up to 14 were here on several dates in October and November, and 11 were at Swinsty in October. Fourteen birds were also counted on the seasonal Silsden Floods in December, and earlier in the year there were 13 birds on the flooded Cononley Ings in March.

As anticipated in the 2005 Report, the former Dob Park breeding colony is now inactive, but 30 young were raised from 13 nests at a private woodland, and at Askwith up to 35 nests were occupied, though the outcome was not established. Offsetting to some extent the negative report on Dob Park was the discovery of at least three occupied nests at a new site in Harden.

It would seem that birds in lower Wharfedale are acquiring some degree of boldness, illustrated by reports of a bird which cautiously walked across a public road near Ben Rhydding, and another, a juvenile, which found the roof of a house in Burley a suitable perch.

This is a bird which continues to be seen right across the Group area, but the number of locations is slightly down on last year, and most reports come from the areas around Wharfedale, where the breeding colonies are located.

Apart from these breeding sites, the largest numbers of birds were again seen in the general area between the bottom of Shipley Glen and Dowley Gap, and at Silsden Ings. At the former, between 14 and 17 birds were noted on several dates throughout the year, and the flooded fields at the latter attracted up to 17 birds in January, and 10 in July.

There was no news on the small breeding colony discovered in 2006 at Harden, but the long-established site near Askwith produced 110 young from 38 nests, and 14 pairs were successful at a private location in the same general area.

Whilst no specific reports of this were received, there is nothing to suggest any changes in the breeding status. Highest counts came from Farnley, where there were 22 in March, and Shipley Glen, which had a total of 21 in November.