Local birders will know of this but for the benefit of others this birding trophy was started up several years ago by Halifax Birdwatching Club, now known as Calderbirds and is presented to the birder finding the best or rarest bird in the area . The proud nominee then places it in pride of place on the mantlepiece until another birder turns up an equally good or better bird where the trophy is then passed on.
I have had the pleasure of this trophy 3 times in passed years for
Dotterel, Soil Hill.
Purple Sandpiper, Soil Hill
and Little Egret , EGP
but have not managed to come up to the mark for some years now so the space on the fireplace has been filled with a vase but not for long hopefully.
The current holder of the trophy, Andy Cockroft ,dropped it in at the garage today with the name of the new winner.
Without a doubt the best bird found in our area for a long time was the Yellow Browed Warbler discovered at Ogden 29/09/2012 so the Golden Bollocks award is to be presented to
DENISE SHIELDS !!!!!! Congratulations on behalf of all local birders Denise.
So Denise, if you clear a space in a prominent place in your living room and call in at the garage you can proudly receive your just reward. I only hope you are not overcome with emotion with this unique event.
Only one rule with the trophy is, as I was told by Gordon Denison, The balls must be polished daily.
BS
Another day of thick fog up here in the gods so yet again, birdless.
BS