Probably our commonest owl which can be encountered almost anywhere where there are trees. There is no reason to suspect a change in the population locally.

Fieldwork carried out by one local birder (PR) gave a good indication of breeding success, the findings are as follows: Middleton Woods (predated), Nell Bank Wood (one young), Dob Park Wood (three), Acrecliffe (three), Carleton (four), Menston (two) and Lady Walk Wood (two pairs bred and with one infertile).

In addition to this direct evidence of breeding young were seen at came from Esholt (two), Timble Ings (two) and Sword Point plantation (two).

At one site this species appears to living quite harmoniously alongside the local Long Eared Owl population.

As a nocturnal species, this owl is less well-recorded than its diurnal congeners. There were nevertheless reports from 24 locations, including several from urban areas, and birds were heard or seen in every month but December. A bird seen in a Halifax garden on 22nd April had apparently been present for six months.

This was a much better breeding season than in 2004. There was confirmed breeding at Nell bank, Carlton Wood, Middleton Woods, Luddenden Dean, Ellar Ghyll, Dob Park, Pond House, Thruscross and Menston. In all, ten nests were located, and from these at least fourteen young were raised, of which thirteen were ringed.

Reported from 30 locations (up on 2005), including nine from suburban areas, and with several birds seen or heard in gardens. Every month featured, though some only just, and there were few reports covering the winter months, presumably due to the lack of calling from birds at this time, rather than any dispersal.

The highest aggregate was four different birds heard calling at Timble Ings in April, and singles were generally the norm. Records from or near gardens actually represented over 25% of the total, a good proportion, and they came from Sconce Lane, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Baildon and Silsden, where a bird gave the listener a Christmas alarm call by making itself heard at 3.45 am on 25th December.

The improvement in breeding success reported last year was maintained, and was slightly ahead of 2005, with 11 pairs located in all, at Lime Kiln Plantation, Sconce Lane, Beecroft Moor Plantation, the Denton Estate, Baildon, Thruscross, Redshaw Gill, Askwith, Nell Bank and Middleton Woods. At least 16 young were raised.

Despite its nocturnal habits, this continues to be as well reported as Little Owl, and the 39 varied locations, 40% of them suburban, represent a significant increase from as recently as two years ago. Birds were seen or heard (much more frequently, the latter) in every month, and there were more records than usual from the winter months. Generally, only one bird was involved, but there were a few twos and threes, and exceptionally four at Smithson Lane Plantation in April.

Breeding was particularly well-documented this year, from Goit Stock, Middleton, Stockbridge, Thruscross, Denton, Burley, Marley, Timble Ings and Menston, where one of the two locations was in the less than salubrious setting of a scrapyard. Thirteen pairs apparently raised some 30 young (of which 18 were ringed), and three nests failed.