Birds were well-recorded from a number of widespread locations,and it is particularly pleasing that there were several records of breeding activity.

The species’ strongholds in the area are Strid Wood and St. Ives, both of which had six birds in May and March respectively, and produced many other records. In the latter month there was also a good count of five in Middleton Woods. Last year’s Report described this bird as being rare in the Washburn Valley, so records from Dob Park Bridge and Thuscross, as well as four breeding records elsewhere in the valley, were extremely welcome.

Birds are increasingly seen in gardens, and in 2005 records came from Ilkley, Baildon and Silsden, where bird tables and feeders were patronised, and, at the last location, up to three birds were present for the whole of August. Elsewhere, birds were seen at Cliffe Castle, Burley, Bingley Cemetery, Hirstwood, Otley Chevin, Bolton Abbey and Howgill.

The Burley and Howgill birds were at potential nest sites, but there was no further news of breeding. However, it took place in nest-boxes at Folly Hall Wood, where six young were ringed from one brood, and Swinsty, which produced this number from each of two nests, the young and an adult all being ringed.

There were also said to be at least three breeding pairs in Middleton Woods, and young were seen in Bingley Cemetery, St. Ives and at Lindley Bridge.

This species has always been well-recorded from such core areas as Strid Wood and St. Ives, but there are now increasing numbers of records from across the area, and breeding reports are being maintained at around ten.

There were about 140 records in total, representing 39 locations, which included several from the Washburn Valley (where until quite recently birds have been very scarce), an increasing number from gardens, and from places which have featured little, if at all, in previous Reports.

In the Washburn, birds were seen near Lindley Bridge, and at Dob Park Wood, Farnley, Swinsty, Folly Hall Wood, Norwood Bottom, and a private location. Elsewhere, Devonshire Park near the centre of Keighley featured for the first time, as did the Worth Valley, near Oxenhope, where the observer hadn’t seen birds in the previous 30 years. The much-mentioned Ben Rhydding garden hosted birds other than in the summer months, having a maximum of two, which number was also seen in two gardens in Baildon, and one in Silsden, and single birds visited Bingley and Gilstead gardens on a few occasions.

Strid Wood produced an excellent count of nine birds, the year’s highest, on 29th April, a maximum of seven were seen in St. Ives, and six birds were reported from Shipley Glen and Windhill, the latter being another previously unfeatured site, and providing an indication of just what can be found in the suburbs. There were also said to be many birds present in Middleton Woods.

The extent of breeding in Strid Wood didn’t reflect the above count, though a pair was discovered using a nest-box, but several juveniles were seen at St. Ives, and, also in the Aire Valley, up to three pairs raised young in Shipley Glen, and adults were feeding offspring in Hirst Wood. Elsewhere, birds were said to have had a good year at Denton, many were reported to have bred at a private woodland, and breeding took place at Norwood Bottom and Nell Bank.

This was another year with around 130 records, though the 28 locations are well down on 2006. It is clear, however, the species is stable, and, after a few lean years, is probably increasing in the area. Many of the reports came from the northern sector, but there were a good number from Airedale, where birds are obviously well-established. It is particularly encouraging that records from the Washburn Valley increased again, after several years of few, if any, sightings, and at least 13 adults were seen between Lindley Bridge and Thruscross dam.

There were good counts of six birds at Shipley Glen and St. Ives, and ten in Strid Wood, and, as might be expected, breeding took place at all of them, and at Middleton Woods, Nell Bank, and Farnley School. Seven young were ringed at the last location, and at least 17 juveniles were seen in all. Though fewer gardens featured, the two that did, at Baildon and the perennially popular Ben Rhydding, had many visits by up to two birds.

Visible migration has never previously featured for this species, so a relocating bird seen in Denholme Clough on 22nd September was a highlight.

Numbers in the normally favoured areas were fairly stable, with up to nine birds in Strid Wood in spring, and six at both St Ives and Shipley Glen. Territorial activity was an indication that breeding had been attempted at a few locations.