Latest news from the South Tyneside year list competition...(added 03/04/05)

Durham Bird Club annual report update  (added 25/03/05)
As reported on our 'brother website', Gateshead Birders, work has actually begun on production of the 2004 annual report! Maybe it's slipped their mind that four other reports are still to see the light of day, or they think it's been so long, no-one will even remember what birds there were between 2000 and 2003. We wait with baited breath...

DBC Owl Study Group (added 31/01/05)
A new group has been formed to study the owls and other crepuscular species in Durham. Full details can be found at the DBC website - click here for a direct link. Any help or input will be most welcome. (contributed by Steve Evans)

Durham Bird Club meeting (added 31/01/05)
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 17th February. The meetings are held at the University of Durham in Durham, start time approx 7.30. Further details can be found on the Durham Bird Club website. It's the AGM and social night, and the club is hoping to see as many members as possible, from every corner of the county, for their thoughts and input as to what they see should be going on. (contributed by Steve Evans)

Bird Race result
The New Year bird race was a tie, with 87 species. Click here for a full report.
The presentation of the shield took place at the Britannia pub, Cleadon, on 12 January.

Here we see part of the two winning teams, Pete Collins, Ross Ahmed and Mark Newsome. The shield was not in view for long, as Pete Collins had it back at the lighthouse and on his mantelpiece before everyone else had finished their first pint (two months each Peter, just remember that..). Talk of further shields (courtesy of Spencers - cheers John!) for a spring bird race and for the South Tyneside year list competition had Ross wetting his lips in anticipation. The thought of 'the treble' sat on his fireplace was too much of a draw as he turned down offers of free holidays to Florida and Scilly in order to concentrate on his year list. Shouts of the chances of Ross getting the treble being slightly less than Sunderland football club winning the treble didn't go down well in Cleadon...

New Year Bird Race
Sunday 9 January has been decided as the day, meeting at Souter lighthouse at 8.00 to start and meeting back there at 4.45 to finish. The brief 'rules' are:
i.   Start and finish times as above
ii.  Teams to consist of 3 people
iii. Area restricted to that covered by South Tyneside council boundaries
iv. All birds must be recorded by at least 2 members of the team
v.  Heard only birds count
So far, at least 4 teams have shown an interest in taking part. Fingers crossed for good weather and good birds!

2005 South Tyneside year list competition (added 23/12/04)
Ross Ahmed is keen to have a little bit of friendly local rivalry in 2005 and has declared it an open season on Peter Hogg's year list records. Will Boss Hogg survive an onslaught from the Prince Nazeem of the birding world (Ross to his mates)? Anyone who's fancying joining in (it is only a bit of fun, really...!), get in touch with Mark Newsome. A weekly update will appear once we're into the New Year.