19 October 2009

Our last county avifauna, The Birds of Devon by Robert Moore, was published in 1969, and when Mike Tyler, then Vice-chairman volunteered to write an updated version the offer was readily accepted.

Even Mike did not fully appreciate the enormity of the task, but now the systematic list is written and ready for copy-editing. The book covers in excess of 420 species and will run to around 500 pages, complete with many photographs and line drawings. We plan to publish no later than November 2010, and the book will retail at £45 in line with recent avifauna published by other counties.

All work to date on the book, and the records from which species data have been obtained, has been on an entirely voluntary basis, but there will be a very considerable cost for typesetting and printing. We are therefore inviting the public to ‘sponsor a species’ at either £50 or £200 and have their name in the book against the species selected. Those selecting the higher amount will also receive a signed copy of the book. Sponsorship from other societies, groups or organisations would be equally welcome. Allocation of species will be done strictly on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Should your selected species already have a sponsor, I will contact you and hopefully be able to agree a second choice.

Anyone interested should make cheques payable to ‘DBWPS’ and send them to me at: West Torridge, Limers Lane, Northam, Bideford EX39 2RG. If more details are required I can be contacted via info@devonbirds.org.

Roger Doble
Project Manager