Xmas Competition

Following on from Andy's attempt to organise a Christmas get together. I have decided to run a boxing day competition for biggest list of local species on Boxing day 2007. The competition to run from 8am till 4pm and then we meet up in the Barge & Barrel at 8pm to declare a winner. The winner will be the person with the most species recorded locally on the day accepted by those present as genuine records. To enter you need to pay a minimum £5 to Nick Carter who will bank the money raised on behalf of the bird conservation group and put your name on a raffle ticket, you must also turn up at the Barge & Barrel on Boxing day evening for 8pm for the get together. To even things up a bit for those less experienced at bird watching,I will also offer a prize on the night for the holder of the raffle ticket first out of the hat on the evening. The winner of the list prize will not be eligible to enter for the draw.

The prizes on offer are two hardback copies of the just published New Naturalist volume
"A History of Ornithology" by Peter Bircham. List price of of the book is £45 and as always with NN titles it will rise over the years as the book becomes more collectable. Both books are still sealed in their wrapper.

"Peter Bircham looks at the history of British ornithology, spanning a millennium and exploring along the way the first bird book, the earliest British lists, various notable scientists, collectors and artists, the first studies of migration, and the challenges presented by classification. He traces the development of the British Ornithologists' Union and other organisations, and finishes with a review of the current state of ornithology in Britain.'A History of Ornithology' is an authoritative and engrossing account, packed full of fascinating stories -- not only about the birds but also about the many colourful characters who have studied them through the ages. This beautifully illustrated book will hold great appeal both for the student of ornithology and for the enthusiastic amateur naturalist."

So for a measly fiver, you get an excuse to escape whatever crap is on telly that day, two chances of winning a decent book and a very reasonable excuse to nip down the pub at night, AND all money raised goes to a good local cause.....its got to be the best offer you will get all Christmas !