In the first winter period, numbers were higher than those of Lesser Redpoll, with records of flocks of between 20 and 40 coming from sites such as Farnley, Fewston Reservoir, Hag Farm at Burley, and Elland Gravel Pits. The peak in March was of 50 in Timble Ings. A singing bird was reported from the latter site during May.

Although there were many records in the latter half of the year, the actual numbers remained low. Forty frequented Lindley Wood Reservoir, whilst only Fewston Reservoir could do better, with 60 during October. Visible migration was comparatively light, with a total of only 81 birds seen, principally at Thornton Moor.

Once again, garden records were frequent, with Menston, Bingley and Baildon all mentioned.

Generally a better year than 2004, with bigger numbers in the first winter period, considerably better counts on visible-migration, and a probable breeding record. Surprisingly, there were no garden records.

In the first three months of the year, birds were recorded at Timble Ings, Otley Wetland, the reservoirs at Thornton Moor, Fewston, and Lindley Wood, plus St. Ives, the Barden area, and a private woodland. St. Ives had a respectable total of thirty birds in February, but the biggest numbers came from Barden, where between twenty and 150 birds were seen between mid-January and the middle of February, the highest daily total being seen on the 11th of that month. A party of thirty birds seen near Denton on 3rd April were probably dispersing.

The second winter period was comparatively quiet, and the only notable counts were up to 40 birds at Otley Wetland in November and December, 25 at Fewston, and twenty at the unusual location of Saltaire. Smaller numbers were seen at Knotford Nook and Barden.

Autumn migration was first noted on 2nd September, and progressed to 28th October. The figures for the established watch-points were :
Paul Clough : 166 (maximum of 63 on 2nd October)
Denholme Clough : 241 (maximum of 71 on 2nd October)
Thornton Moor : 339 (maximum of 56 on 11th October)

It is pleasing to report that breeding almost certainly occurred at Timble Ings, as a bird was seen carrying food there on 7th June, and there was another summer record : a bird at Buck Park on 23rd July.

The reference in last year’s Report to there surprisingly being no garden records seems to have done the trick, as this year 70% of the 56 reports in the first four months were from this source. Previously mentioned gardens in Ben Rhydding and Otley predominated, with 12 and 16 records, and there were others from Oxenhope, Gilstead, Bingley, Baildon and Cononley. Otley regularly had six birds, and seven were seen on 10th April. Not surprisingly, the bigger numbers in this period came from elsewhere. Otley Wetland had two double-figure counts, the best of which was 60 on 2nd January, the same number was at Stockbridge on 12th February, and there was a locally good count of 30 birds at Skipton Sewage Works on 22nd January. There were also said to be many birds, though unspecified in number, near Askwith.

In the second winter period, most of the larger counts came from Stockbridge, where between 15 and 50 birds were seen to the year-end. Otley Wetland had reports of up to 30 birds (though around 80 were said to be present), and 24 were seen at Sunnydale, but the best count came from Dowley Gap, where there were 70 on Boxing Day.

Whilst numbers seen on migration were lower than in 2005, a respectable tally was still produced, with most records coming from the three regular sites in the south:

Paul Clough 129 maximum of 79 on 26th September
Denholme Clough 164 maximum of 37 on 2nd October
Thornton Moor 106 maximum of 48 on 2nd October

About 20 birds were seen in total at a few other locations.

There was no indication of breeding, but a male was in song at Timble Ings in April, a possible juvenile was seen in Ben Rhydding in June, and there was an adult male at Thornton Moor Reservoir in July.

The numbers seen this year were reasonably in line with 2006, although, for some reason, garden records were well down, after a remarkable upturn last year. Only two were featured: the one in Ben Rhydding which seems to be a magnet to many species, and where up to four birds were seen, and a Bingley garden which had a single bird.

In general, wintering flocks provided the biggest counts, though in the first winter period there were only three reports of more than 20 birds, consisting of 60 at Stockbridge in January, and between 70 and 200 birds at Barden Bridge in March, the latter being the biggest single flock seen for 10 years. The final three months produced more records, and there were parties of around 50 at Saltaire in October, and at Timble, Burley and Stockbridge in November, whilst December had flocks of 30 at Riddlesden and Barden, and 75 at Otley Wetland Nature Reserve.

The autumn passage total of 456 was slightly up on 2006, and, as usual, most birds were observed at the well-watched sites in the south of the area, where Thornton Moor and Paul Clough had similar totals of 139 and 149, though, in both cases, most of the birds were seen on single days: 94 on 6th October, and 100 on 20th September. Denholme Clough’s aggregate was 96, and a few other localities provided the balance.

For several years there has been reason to suspect birds might be breeding at Timble Ings, though without direct proof of this. The situation remains the same this year, with the discovery of at least three fledged juveniles there in July.