Britain - A nation of bird lovers

01 Mar 2010 | No. 2010-03-08

What is Britain’s least favourite bird? That was the question the British Trust for Ornithology thought they might be able to answer after auctioning off the remaining 97 species for Bird Atlas 2007-11. Which bird would be left on the shelf unloved and worthy of the title?

 
Lapland Bunting - one of the last to receive
bids

It seems Britain is a nation of bird lovers with no shortage of people willing to bid for their favourite birds. Of the 97 species put up for auction, every single one received a bid from individuals and organisations, many of whom found themselves embroiled in bidding-wars to try and win their chosen bird. Those that initially looked likely competitors for the title of Britain’s least favourite bird were the Rock, Tree and Water Pipits. Lapland Bunting and Bean Goose were still in the starting blocks with no bids just three days before the auction closed. Eventually all of them found friends; even the Feral Pigeon, Carrion Crow and Ring-necked Parakeet had admirers willing to pay for the privilege of association.

Bidding started at £300 per bird and the auction raised £50,200 in aid of Bird Atlas 2007-11, the biggest stock take of Britain and Irelands birds ever to be undertaken. Thousands of volunteers are putting in enormous efforts mapping the distribution of birds in all habitats and in all seasons to give a comprehensive view of what has happened to our wild bird populations in the last couple of decades. The species sponsors will be acknowledged on the relevant species page in the published Atlas. Over £267,000 has already been raised through species sponsorship over the last two years with species being sponsored for a minimum of £2,000 each. The auction saw this minimum price reduced so that more people were able to participate in the scheme.

Kate Aldridge, Corporate and Trust Fundraiser at the BTO said "We were thrilled to be able to open up the Species Sponsorship to allow bird clubs and individuals to participate. We have heard some lovely stories about why particular species were being sponsored; many have been dedicated in memory of a family member or friend, which was really touching. The response has been fantastic and I would like to thank everyone who got involved and helped raise such a valuable amount towards the Atlas."

Notes for Editors

The sponsorship given during the auction has provided over half of the last £100k of funding needed for the project. To see the list of species sponsored visit www.bto.org/bird-atlas-bird-auction

Bird Atlas 2007-11 will map the distribution and relative abundance of birds in Britain and Ireland during the breeding season and winter. Bird Atlas 2007-11 is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) and BirdWatch Ireland. Results produced by Bird Atlas 2007-11 will form the basis of conservation priorities for coming decades.

The BTO is the UK’s leading bird research organisation. Over thirty thousand birdwatchers contribute to the BTO’s surveys. They collect information that forms the basis of conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Norfolk and Stirling, who analyse and publicise the results of project work. The BTO’s investigations are funded by government, industry and conservation organisations.

Contact information 

Paul Stancliffe (BTO Press Officer)
Office: 01842 750050 (9am to 5.30pm)
Mobile: 07845 900559 (anytime)
Email: press [at] bto.org

Kate Aldridge (Fundraiser)
Office: 01842 750050 (9am to 5.30pm)
Email: fundraising [at] bto.org

Images are available for use alongside this News Release
Please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2010-03-08

The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews
Please contact us to book an interview
Office: 01842 750050


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