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.

Another fine selection of records at both ends of the year. It appears, once again, that the upland coniferous woodlands of the Washburn Valley are favourable in attracting parties of roosting birds. Twenty came in to Timble Ings on the evening of 21st January and eight roosted in Sandwith Moor Plantation on 11th February. Also in February, 27 were in Burley-in-Wharfedale. March yielded 19 in Otley Park, whilst 11 were in Bingley. The only April record concerned 30 birds at Harden on 3rd.

In the second winter period the first to arrive were six in Ilkley town centre’s main car park on 3rd November. By the 11th this flock had risen to more than 180, but only two remained by 2nd December. Again Timble Ings hosted roosting birds on a few dates, with 180 on 12th November being the maximum. Sandwith Moor Plantation also featured, with up to 30 coming in to roost during December.

During December, flocks of up to 85 birds came from too many sites to mention. Larger gatherings included 330 in Halifax, 300 in Keighley, 160 at King Cross, 140 at Crossflatts, 200 at Jacob’s Well (Bradford) and 100 at Greengates.

Birds were again seen in both winter periods, the larger numbers in the early months being attributable to the large invasion in the latter part of 2004.

In January, single figures were recorded in gardens in Oxenhope and Silsden, as well as on the Addingham By-pass, twelve flew over Otley Wetland and twenty were in Halifax in the early part of the month. There were larger counts of 40 birds in Idle, and several unspecified parties in the vicinity of Bradford University, but much the largest flocks were in the south of the area. An initial 60 birds in Brighouse on 1st had built up to an impressive 400 on 15th, and, by the 9th, numbers in Halifax had increased to 250.

By contrast, February’s numbers were distinctly modest. The Oxenhope garden continued to attract three birds, but the Halifax and Bradford tallies were down four and three, and only twelve birds on the move at Thornton Moor Reservoir on 6th achieved double figures.

Relocating and returning birds in March and April boosted numbers somewhat, and there were counts in the former month of 25 at Bradford College, and twenty at Crossflatts. In April, thirty were seen at Gilstead, 22 in Halifax, 50 at Baildon, and, the final spring record, 20 at Queensbury on 26th.

As in 2004, the first returning bird was found in Ilkley, on 20th November, and was again seen on 1st December. The other records in the final month of the year showed there was going to be no major invasion, as numbers were limited to up to four at and near Crossflatts, and sixteen on the Burley-in-Wharfedale By-pass.

All the records received were in respect of the first winter period, and refer to birds seen in the latter weeks of 2005, as well as additional birds at a number of different locations, and parties relocating well into spring.

Last winter’s birds around the Burley by-pass were again seen between 4th and 29th January, with a maximum count of 16 on the latter date. Birds presumably from the same flock were also seen during this period in Burley-in-Wharfedale, and west of Otley on 3rd and 5th February, when 17 were present. Elsewhere, a flock of about 40 birds was located in Saltaire on 11th January, and almost certainly the same flock, by this time estimated at 45 strong, was seen there throughout March. A presumably mobile party of 16 birds was noted in Eldwick on 13th January, but wasn’t relocated, and there were five in Ilkley on 7th February.

By March it appeared that birds were on the move, and the biggest flock was 25 in Bingley on the 25th, with 12 in Ilkley on the 15th, and singles near Addingham at the end of the month, and in a Silsden garden at the beginning (though a small party had apparently also been seen nearby).

The three April records comprised good numbers of birds. At Cliffe Castle, Keighley, 25 were in the grounds on the 11th, 30 were in Harden gardens on the 10th and 12th, and the year’s final record on the 29th comprised 42 birds in a Yeadon garden.

No records .