Wildfowl1

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

The local population, of this common resident breeder, has been largely unchanged for several years, confirmed by the 2010 maximum count from the Otley area of 33 adult birds in August, including 29 at Otley Wetland.  At least nine nests were located, at Stockbridge Nature Reserve, Farnley, Crossflatts, Knotford Nook and Otley Wetland, with up to 23 young being raised.  In 2011 there was a largely unchanged picture, with the majority of records coming from the Otley area, together with the highest counts and breeding successes. A total of 35 there in January (including 24 on the river) compares 33 in 2010, and successful breeding at Otley Wetland, Knotford Nook and Farnley produced 23 young, exactly as in 2010.  Elsewhere,  a breeding attempt at Park Dam apparently failed.  Photo: Brian Vickers.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

The Whooper Swan is an uncommon but regular visitor.  After a relatively quiet year in 2010, with only three double-figure counts.  The spring relocation period produced 21 birds on Lower Barden Reservoir on 8th March, and 37 over Baildon the following day.  Counts of arriving birds were much lower than normal but all this changed in 2011.  Twenty records compares with fifteen in 2010, and there were five double-figure counts.  The principal locations were: Thruscross Reservoir: 74 on 7th March, which equals the Group record.  These were thought to comprise the flock of about 70 seen flying north-west over Pool earlier in the day.  Otley Wetland: Seven on 19th March. Ogden Reservoir: Four on 6th March; five on 21st October.  Oxenhope Watchpoint: Three on 24th April.  In October, three on the 20th and seven on the 22nd, and in November, 37 on the 5th and eight on the 7th. There was then a good count of 30 at March Ghyll Reservoir on 20th March. Photo: David Barker.

White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons

The White-fronted Goose is a scarce passage and winter visitor.  A bird with Greylags at Leeshaw from 6th to 15th January was the first since 2000. Photo: Brian Vickers.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

The Pink-footed Goose is seen regularly overflying on passage, and occasionally as a winter visitor.  In 2010, greater observer coverage seemed to be paying dividends, as 2009’s annual record total of 10,656 was again broken, by an aggregate of 11,325, which, as in 2009, was split fairly evenly between relocating/departing flocks and arrivals, and with almost all the sightings south of the Wharfe.  In the first four months 5514 birds were logged, and in the final four, 5811.  Three-figure aggregates were recorded on 22 days, the highest of which were Oxenhope Watchpoint counts of 764 on 14th February, 905 on 1st March and 604 on the 3rd, and 731 over Caldene Fields on 6th November.  The odd stragglers, usually associating with Greylag Geese, were seen at three locations, for short periods.  2011's records illustrate just how unpredictable this goose can be.  The year’s total of 7,576 is well-down on the previous two years, and the numbers for the first winter period particularly so, but the second winter total was more in line. Photos: David Barker.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

The Greylag Goose is a common resident breeder.  In 2011, in line with recent trends, by far the most records came from Wharfedale (especially Otley Wetland) and the Washburn Valley, with a few from the fringes of Ilkley Moor and Airedale.  Of the three-figure flocks, the most notable were 450 at Lindley Wood Reservoir in August and 250 at Denton in October, but of particular note was a staggering 900 there on 14th October, a Group record, 65% greater than the previous one.  

Breeding successes were up on 2010.  About 107 young were seen at eight sites, and whilst it was not always possible to determine whether breeding had actually taken place there, it was evident young had been raised in the vicinity of Kex Gill, Weecher Reservoir, Silsden, Otley Wetland, Barden and Hoodstorth, where the highest total of 44 young was noted. Photo: Brian Vickers.

Canada Goose Anser anser

The Canada Goose is another common resident breeder.  In 2011, sixteen three-figure counts represented an improvement on 2010, and included notable numbers of between 300 and 340 at Lindley Wood in late January and early February, and around 250 in late November and early December at Fewston and Swinsty (presumably the same birds).  Good totals in every month at Otley Wetland were reflected in apparent breeding successes, as 35 young were seen locally.  Though this was well-down on last year, it was offset by 45 juveniles at Warley Moor Reservoir, and the Group total of 84 was an improvement on most other recent years. Photo: Brian Vickers.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis

Part of the flock of 37 Barnacle Geese that spent a little time at Leeshaw Reservoir on 5th January, 2013.  Photo by David Barker.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus

This is a scarce visitor and possible escapee.  Three were seen at Otley Wetland on 3rd April 2010, the first since 2004.  These were followed by two at Redcar Tarn from 27th August to 6th September 2011.  The photo, taken at Redcar Tarn, is by Ian Hargreaves.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Shelduck area passage and winter visitor s and occasional breeders.  In 2010, nearly all the sightings came from the south and west of the area.  The highest count was eight birds at Oxenhope watchpoint on 23rd July, and there were groups of three and four here in late September, and one in August.  Three birds were at Otley Wetland in January, and Warley Moor Reservoir in August, and two at Cononley Ings in April.  The remainder were singles, seen at Leeshaw and Leeming Reservoirs in August and September, and at Cononley in November.  In 2011 there  was a slight drop in records, and only half as many birds.  Photo: Brian Vickers.