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Bradford Ornithological Group Annual Report 2019 Once again, excellent support makes this, the 33rd Annual Report, an outstanding example of local co-operation. The 17,500 records and a range of excellent images, submitted by over 100 birders, have enabled us to publish this document. We are greatly indebted to Keith Moir, who has, once more, brought all his knowledge and expertise to the task of interpreting the data. Amongst the dozen or so species which caught the eye during 2019 were a Caspian Gull, which arrived with a full personal history, only our second record of an Avocet, and a Great White Egret, which was seen by many who walked the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Two Arctic Skuas crossed the country in April, a Kittiwake landed at Fly Flatts, a Hooded Crow appeared in the Washburn and a Knot was seen passing Soil Hill. These were amongst the most spectacular records, and although there was plenty of news of common birds, there was very little about their breeding habits. We therefore make a special request to include as much information as possible about this aspect of behaviour. It is something that adds considerably to the further understanding of birds and provides us all with a more in-depth knowledge of the species. The quieter summer months are an ideal time to watch and record these events. As I explained in the last Report, the BOG website has grown to include a wealth of information which makes use of over 30 years’ data. In addition to suggesting locations to visit and species to study, there are monthly reports and articles from local birders. The 2018 Report is now available to download, and has been expanded to include the data that relates to the document. It is planned to allow access, through the website, to the data which was used to write this Report. It is hoped to have this material on the website during the summer. MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor The common status is unchanged, and breeding successes were in line with other recent years. WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Still seen regularly on passage in spring and autumn, though the annual count of 235 is a little down on 2018. The highest count of 50 over Marley in November is in line with other recent years. PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus A regular and perhaps now abundant passage migrant, as the annual total of about 25,600 is another record. That said, much depends on whether large movements take place when observers are about, so the big numbers don’t, in themselves, mean a lot. GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Though clearly remaining a common resident, numbers were down on other recent years, and 350 at Otley Wetland was the highest tally. Bradfordbirding.org 1 CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis A common breeding bird, whose status is clearly unchanged, with a count of 330 at Warley Moor Reservoir the best of many. BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Birds of unknown origin are seen annually, and up to three were noted, mainly at Warley Moor Reservoir. EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus One record of this irregular possible escapee: a single at Otley Wetland on 13th May. SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Is now largely a passage species, with reports of up to six birds on occasion. However, successful breeding took place this year at Kex Gill Quarry. RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea This duck of uncertain status provides occasional sightings. A bird at three Wharfedale sites in May might have been the same one (RG, RN, WNS). MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata After a significant rise in recent years, can now be described as a relatively common breeding species. Many pairs were seen, and breeding proved or suspected at three Wharfedale sites. The winter gathering of 56 in Strid Wood was much as expected. WIGEON Anas penelope Remains common and numerous as a passage and winter visitor. Otley Wetland had several 100-plus counts, but the biggest numbers continue to be at the seasonally flooded Cononley Ings, where up to 480 were seen. GADWALL Anas strepera Still uncommon in the recording area, despite being relatively abundant just outside it. Small numbers were seen at only six sites, with Tong Park Reservoir again producing the highest count: 16 birds in April. TEAL Anas crecca Remains a common winter visitor and on passage, but there was a further drop in reports and numbers, with around 40 birds at Cononley the best count. GARGANEY Anas querquedula The only record of this less than annual passage migrant was a drake at Redcar Tarn on 10th May (KM). MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos No change in status as an abundant and successful breeding resident. Several three-figure counts of up to 200 birds were slightly better than other recent years. Bradfordbirding.org 2 PINTAIL Anas acuta Five birds is now a typical showing for this passage migrant. They comprised singles at Leeshaw Reservoir in September (BV), Cononley Ings in October (KM), and Peel Park (Bradford) in December (RK), with two at Low Moor Nature Reserve in October (MVP). SHOVELER Anas clypeata As a passage migrant, numbers can fluctuate, and in 2019 they were well down on the previous year, with a total count of only 15 birds. POCHARD Aythya ferina Pochard has increasingly become very scarce, mainly as a winter visitor. Up to five birds were at Yeadon Tarn at the end of the year (PK, NP, DS), and in October singles were seen at Hewenden Reservoir (MD), and Cononley Ings (KM). TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula The majority of records are of wintering birds, and numbers held up well, providing many double-figure counts of up to 70 birds. Breeding successes were limited, and on a par with 2018. COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra There are usually only a few records annually, and this year’s numbers are down on 2018. Singles were at Warley Moor Reservoir on 4th June and 20th September (BS) and Chelker Reservoir on 17th October (BV), and a pair was at Redcar Tarn on 9th September (KM). GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula A common though not widespread visitor, birds were largely in single figures, with 35 at Knotford Nook in December the best of several double-figure counts from here and Otley Wetland. As in 2018, an individual remained until late into the summer. GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Can now be described as an abundant and widespread breeding species, though without any increase in individual counts, 28 birds at Thornton Moor Reservoir being the highest tally. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator This scarce passage migrant provided a single at Otley Wetland between 26th and 30th December (AJ et al), and one passed Oxenhope Watchpoint on 2nd October (HC). RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa There were no significant counts and few records, but the fairly common status appears to stand. RED GROUSE Lagopus lagopus Though reports varied, most moors seemed to have good numbers of this common resident. Bradfordbirding.org 3 GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Whilst a widespread resident, only small numbers are now reported, and seven birds near Redcar Tarn and eight at Blubberhouses were the highest counts. PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus No apparent change in the status of this common game-bird. RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Still a scarce passage migrant, but a bird seen from Oxenhope Watchpoint on 28th October provided a record for the second successive year, and was the 11th in all (DCB, HC). CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo May now be more than a passage migrant and winter visitor as birds were recorded throughout the year, although the biggest numbers continue to be seen in the winter months, and 42 at Otley Wetland in December was the highest of several double-figure counts. LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Birds continue to be seen in the same general areas as last year, but, with fewer records and a continuing concentration on a limited number of areas, it is probable birds have become less common than in other recent years. Sightings were from 14 sites in Airedale (between Shipley and Cononley Ings), six in Wharfedale (from Otley to Barden), and one in the Washburn Valley. Singles were the norm, with two birds seen only at Denton, Otley Wetland, Barden, Stockbridge, Riddlesden and Tong Park, and it is possible no more than 10 birds were involved overall. GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba Though becoming more widespread in Britain, this is still scarce in our area, and two birds this year are only the fourth and fifth records. After being found in Myrtle Park (Bingley) on 20th July (MR), a confiding bird was rediscovered on the canal near Saltaire, and provided close views between there and Apperley Bridge intermittently over the next 10 weeks (PM et al ). A further individual was photographed in flight over Low Moor on 11th November (MVP). GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Though still a common resident, only Shipley Glen nowadays provides significant numbers, and a maximum 22 birds were seen there in October. For probably the first time ever, there were no breeding records. WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia A bird seen near Burley on 26th April was the first for several years (AJ). Escapes are a possibility for this species but the date could suggest a genuine vagrant. LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis The less common of the resident grebes, but a fairly widespread breeding bird. Seven birds at John o’ Gaunt’s Reservoir was the biggest gathering. Bradfordbirding.org 4 GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Generally maintaining its status as a common breeder, with low single figures the norm, and only two notable counts of seven and eight birds at Knotford Nook. RED KITE Milvus milvus No change in the now abundant resident status.