Although this species is reported from many sites throughout the recording area there seems to be a certain number of sites where this species is particularly abundant. These include Strid Woods, Beaverdyke Reservoir and the stretch of river between Lindley Wood and Swinsty Reservoirs encompassing Folly Hall Wood and Dob Park Wood.

The first bird recorded was on 12th April at Lindley Wood whilst the last was at Denholme Clough on 31st August. Between these dates records came from many locations both on territory and on passage such as Timble Ings, Doe Park Reservoir and Paul Clough.

The first returning bird was a male at Caldene Fields on 18th April, closely followed by a single at Strid Woods on 20th. This latter site is one of the strongholds, and a copious amount of records came from this general area. Many pairs are likely to have bred here but only evidence for two pairs was forthcoming, including a pair with young at Drebley.

The Washburn Valley is another stronghold, and successful breeding at various locations, including three pairs at Timble Ings, two pairs at Lindley Wood Reservoir and four newly fledged youngsters at Beaverdyke Reservoir reflected this.

Autumn passage was light, with small numbers scattered throughout the area. The last of the year was at Denholme Clough on 19th September.

For a widespread and relatively common species, there were only 36 records, probably representing no more than around 30 different birds, and little evidence of breeding activity.

The first record, a male at Dob Park, was on the quite early date of 8th April, with most of the year’s remaining reports being from that month and May. There were many records of singing males, but the highest site total was only three, at Strid Wood, regarded as one of the main breeding locations. Most sightings came from Wharfedale and the Washburn Valley, but a notable exception was a bird in a Low Moor garden in April. Birds seen in September at Otley Wetland and Paul Clough were no doubt on migration, but there were no other examples.

The only definite evidence of breeding was seven young ringed from a nest at Folly Hall Wood, but a bird carrying food was seen at Bolton Abbey, and family parties were noted at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir, Roils Head and Ogden Clough.

This is another species where the number of reports and birds are significantly up on 2005, and where a reasonable amount of breeding data was received. The 58 reports represent an improvement of more than 50% on last year, and it is likely 50 adult birds were seen, more in line with expectations for a relatively common summer visitor.

The first bird, a singing male at Weston Park, Otley, on 31st March, was exceptionally early, and only one day later than the earliest on record. No further birds were seen until 16th April, and a relatively small number were then recorded in the middle of May, exclusively in the northern sector of the Group area, and included several other singing males.

There were also relatively few sightings in the following two months, but the first breeding records were established: pairs clearly with nest-bound young near Strid Wood and Timble Ings, and three juveniles with their parents at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir. Another party of adults and young at John o’ Gaunt’s in August were clearly different, and elsewhere, breeding was proved at Norwood Bottom and Dob Park. The summer months also had the year’s highest day count, of ten birds in the area around John o’ Gaunt’s and Beaverdyke Reservoirs, clearly a local stronghold for this species.

Post-breeding dispersal, and subsequent migration, became evident from mid-July, and, with the exception of a few late stragglers, went on for about six weeks. About 23 different birds were seen, but, for once, the usual watchpoints in the south didn’t predominate, as the best seasonal total of nine birds (and day count of five, on 25th August) came from Draughton Heights. This seems to be a fairly recently-discovered migration spot, which has turned up some good records in 2006, and will presumably do so in future years. The year’s final sighting was at Thornton Moor Reservoir on the notably late date of 29th September.

After the upturn in records of all types last year, 2007 was fairly mediocre. The 39 records were in line with the probable number of birds, and reports were largely confined to the well-wooded areas in the Washburn Valley and around Strid Wood. The first returning birds were, however, three at Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits on 17th April, and the last one at Denholme Clough on 9th September, probably part of a small movement there at the time. Surprisingly, the other regular migration watchpoints didn’t produce anything. Several woodlands held up to five singing males, but the highest count was eight such birds in the Lindley Wood area in late April.

Successful breeding was reported only from Timble Ings, but it probably also took place in Strid Wood, where a juvenile was seen.