The twenty-ninth annual Michael Clegg Memorial Birdrace took place over the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th January.
06 January 2025
The twenty-ninth annual Michael Clegg Memorial Birdrace took place over the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th January.
The event is usually held on the Sunday, as many participants have other commitments on Saturday. However, due to heavy snow and/or rain forecast for Sunday, most teams opted to participate on Saturday instead. The forecast proved accurate, and those unable to race on Saturday faced awful conditions on Sunday. Unfortunately, some teams had to abandon their plans altogether, but we hope they will return next year and still contribute to the fundraising effort.
For the fifth year running, it was a 'green event' with no motor vehicles allowed (although we are aware this rule may not be strictly adhered to). The aim of the event is to raise money for conservation and enjoy a good day's birdwatching, so adherence is left to the participants' discretion. Teams covered their chosen sites on foot or by bicycle, and as usual, all reported a very enjoyable and rewarding day in the field.
Many teams reported a significant decrease in the number of species recorded compared to last year, even when covering the same areas—some by as much as 20%, which is a little concerning. However, one team finally managed to achieve the coveted 100 species, having finished on 99 for the last two years. A huge congratulations to them!
Final scores have been submitted by 22 teams from around Yorkshire, with the possibility of more to come. A big thank you to all who participated.
| Team Name | Species Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| York Upstarts (York area) | 100 | 1 up on last year. Walked 10 miles. |
| The Humber Games (Kilnsea to Welwick) | 96 | Same as last year. Walked and cycled 14 miles. |
| Tophill Trespassers (Tophill Low) | 92 | Superb first effort. |
| Long Nabbers (Scarborough) | 88 | 4 up on last year. Walked 15 miles. |
| Old Moor-ons (Old Moor) | 80 | 6 down on last year. Walked 11 miles. |
| Spurn Heavyweights (Greater Spurn) | 80 | 3 up on last year. Walked 6 miles. |
| Derbyshire Trespassers (Sheffield) | 80 | 3 down on last year. |
| Gooligans (Goole area) | 79 | 11 down on last year. |
| Dalby Nomads (Scarborough area) | 77 | Good first effort. |
| Fairburn Birders (Fairburn) | 73 | 5 down on last year. Sunday team. Walked 8.7 miles. |
| Southfield Mercenaries (Southfield Res) | 72 | 4 up on last year. |
| Airey Birders (St. Aiden's & Aire Valley) | 70 | 9 down on last year. Walked 12 miles. |
| Whelbirders (Wheldrake & Thorngamby) | 69 | 7 down on last year. Walked 6 miles. |
| York Originals (York area) | 66 | 8 down on last year. |
| Team Tophill (Tophill Low) | 63 | 27 down on last year. Sunday team. Walked 4.74 miles. |
| Filey Originals (Filey) | 61 | 13 down on last year. Walked 6 miles. |
| JMTeasington (Easington) | 60 | 12 down on last year. |
| Johnny Brown's Commoners | 58 | 6 down on last year. |
| The Yew Cottager (Kilnsea garden) | 55 | 12 down on last year. Walked to kettle. |
| Birdman & Robin (Bishopthorpe & Dringhouses) | 50 | 3 up on last year. Walked 11 miles. |
| Team of One (Spurn) | 31 | Spurn volunteer, first effort. |
| York OC (York area) | 28 | Walked 2.5 miles. |
Apologies to any teams I may have missed; I can only include information I have been sent.
A massive thank you to everyone who took part and to all sponsors. All funds raised this year will go towards SPURN: A MAGICAL PLACE, helping with habitat management and creation. Please donate at https://gofund.me/3347fb7c (Ctrl + click to follow the link or use the direct link in the email).
Please forward this to your teammates and anyone else who might be interested or willing to donate.
We’ll be back again next January for the thirtieth annual birdrace! If you have any ideas for future projects we can support, please contact me.
All the very best for 2025,
Graham Speight
