In relation to the total number of reports received, this species probably produces more breeding records than any, and this was again well, though probably not fully, reported.

A pair was noted mating at Strid Wood as early as 4th February, but the first young were not seen until 21st May, at St. Ives, and another bird was on a nest there two weeks later. Also in June, there were young at Weecher Reservoir, and in July breeding was reported from Bingley North Bog, Crossflatts and the Valley of Desolation. The following two months brought reports of juveniles at Fewston Reservoir, Tong Park Reservoir, a private location, and Cold Edge Dams, where two young fledged from each of three broods.

Whilst other records came from a widespread area, there were surprisingly (and in marked contrast with 2004), no reports from any of the local sewage works, and the best count came from the relatively under-watched Tong Park Reservoir, where ten birds were present on 22nd January and 27th September. Four other locations, St. Ives, Strid Wood, Redcar Tarn and Otley Wetland, had between four and seven birds on a number of occasions.

This is a species which seems to be increasingly well-recorded. In 2006, reports came from 32 widespread locations, though with relatively few records from south of the Aire, and breeding records were well up on those of most years.

Numbers seen were in keeping with the increased reporting, and between five and nine birds were seen on 15 occasions, and, by recent standards, very good counts of up to 12 birds at Otley Wetland and Manningham Park Lake, up to 13 at Tong Park Reservoir, and the year’s best count of 19 birds at Yeadon Tarn in late November. Interesting observations included a bird on the same Low Moor garden pond which proved attractive to Mallard, one at the summit of the minor road just below Beamsley Beacon, and another which failed to see off a Green Sandpiper at Stockbridge.

Such is the apparent interest shown in the submission of breeding data that it is worth setting out all the 17 locations involved: Crossflatts, Saltaire, Gallows Hill, Cottingley Manor, Shipley Glen, Stockbridge, Burley, Weecher Reservoir, Barden, Timble Ings, St. Ives, Farnhill, Tong Park Reservoir, Bolton Abbey, Menston, Otley Wetland and Nell Bank. At the first of these, the birds chose an old car tyre as a nest-site, and the Saltaire pair were particularly determined, as their eventually successful raising of a single chick was their third attempt, following two earlier nests being flooded out. In all, at least 38 young were raised.

Whilst the number of reports and locations would tend to indicate that Moorhen’s status in the area is largely unchanged, the nine locations where breeding was established are only half of last year’s total. As before, there are relatively few records for south of Airedale.

Many of the reports came from Otley Wetland, where there were several good counts, and double-figure tallies of between 10 and 12 birds. Similar counts were made, though irregularly, at Myrtle Park (Bingley) and a private location, but the year’s best count of 14 came from Manningham Park on 19th January. Up to six birds were seen at 24 other sites, and there was a good total of nine at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir in October.

The widespread breeding locations included several regular ones, and five where breeding is by no means annual, Yeadon Tarn, Bingley South Bog, Oxenhope, East Riddlesden Hall and Knotford Nook. About 36 young birds were noted, much the same as 2006, despite the drop in breeding pairs. The birds which bred last year at Crossflatts in an old tyre demonstrated their catholic taste by this year raising four young on a corrugated metal sheet!

Though still common and obvious at all types of bodies of water across the region, only one sizeable gathering was reported, comprising 28 birds at Snaygill in November.

Remains a common and successful breeder, sufficiently widespread to include a couple of garden records. Breeding was reported from 10 locations, and the maximum site count, 47 birds at Snaygill in October, is the highest for several years.