It's back!

Last year, North Downs and beyond launched the Wheatear Trophy. This was in recognition of the fact that birding bloggers just cannot help themselves, and post hundreds of images of the white-arsed bird. No, not hundreds - thousands. It's as if they are suffering from a collective Tourette's Syndrome of Wheatear photography. It's an illness...

Any how, my pleas for calmness and reasoning were ignored, and the images flooded cyberspace. I couldn't beat them, so the trophy was created as an ironic gesture. 2013's winner was Gavin Haig. Regular visitors to blogland may be aware that Gavin has since stopped blogging (most probably suffering an Oenanthe-induced illness). Therefore he won't be around to defend his title.

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CROWNED 2014 CHAMPION?

With a puff of southerly wind at the end of February or the beginning of March, Wheatears could be back - that's only four-five weeks away! So, clean your lenses, look out for the dancing white-rump and click away - you may be the proud new holder of this most sought-after accolade.

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