Join the hunt for your favourite bird

Local & National

Saturday, May 03, 2008

By Linda McKee

RSPB NI has joined forces with the Belfast Telegraph in the hunt for Northern Ireland’s favourite bird.

Throughout next week, we will be focusing on Northern Ireland’s spectacular bird life as part of the Pecks Factor competition, which calls on the public to register their vote for their favourite feathered friend. Voters will also be able to choose their favourite garden, farmland, sea and wetland birds.

Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win a day out with the RSPB’s Red Kite Officer after the birds are released into South Down later this year in Ulster’s first ever species reintroduction.

And every Belfast Telegraph reader who enters using the coupon appearing in the paper from Monday to Friday next week will win a free glossy ‘Birds of Northern Ireland’ poster while stocks last.

We will be focusing on farmland, garden, sea and wetland birds throughout the week.

RSPB spokesperson Colum Delaney said: “To highlight some of the fabulous birds seen across our woodlands, farmlands, gardens and coasts, RSPB NI is holding a competition to find out which bird is closest to the hearts of local people. More than 200 bird species are recorded locally every year and Pecks Factor is about celebrating the wonderful wildlife that surrounds us all.

“Initiatives such as the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch get more popular every year and prove that people love to identify, count and feed birds.

“Pecks Factor will give people the opportunity to tell us their favourite bird. They will then be entered into a prize draw to accompany our new Red Kite Project Officer, armed with the latest tracking equipment, in search of the red kites, after their release this August.”

Forms can also be requested by calling RSPB NI Headquarters on 02890 491547 or by voting online at www.rspb.org.uk/northernireland, although you need to use the Telegraph’s coupon to claim your free poster.