Over 100 species recorded at Wicklow County Bird Race

FIVE teams met at Bray Seafront bright and early on Saturday for the annual Wicklow County Bird Race.

The aim was to record as many bird species from the 7.15 a.m. start in Bray to the 6.45 p.m. finish at The Beehive Inn.

Each team was awarded one point for spotting a particular species and half a point for those heard only.

The weather conditions were far from ideal, with participants experiencing strong southerly winds and intermittent rain.

The final scores and species lists were tallied at The Beehive, with a total of 109 bird species recorded.

First place for Category A, experienced teams, went to The Southside Swifts with 97 points. The Peckers finished second with 94 points and The Hopeful Hoopoes were third with 90.5 points.

Category B for beginners and improvers was won by A Raven Conspiracy with 77 points.

Does a Dodo Count? were second on 57 points.

The Peckers: Jim Sheehan, Dick Combes, Des Higgins and Stephen McAvoy.

The Raven Conspiracy: Joe Lennon, Jonathon Stanley, Con Hogan and Darren Ellis.