HOURS of dedicated bird watching have gone into a new publication which should prove popular with ornithologists and other nature lovers in County Durham.
A Summer Atlas of the Breeding Birds of County Durham, should also prove a useful guide for planning officials, countryside managers and even politicians.
The atlas uses computer generated maps to illustrate each species' distribution between the rivers Tees and Tyne.
The first ever atlas of breeding birds for the area is the result of an estimated 1,500-plus hours of field work and more than 180 hours of computing time.
It forms a complete record, documenting the breeding status of all locally found birds.
The book is the latest publication of Durham Bird Club, compiled with expert help from many contributors, but mainly through the efforts of membership secretary Stephen Westerberg and chairman Keith Bowey. Mr Bowey said everyone at the club was proud of the 187-page publication, which includes many illustrations, ten in full colour, and makes reference to 138 species.
The atlas was produced with the backing of Northumbrian Water, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Durham Wildlife Trust.
It is available from Stephen Westerberg, at 32 Manor Road, Medomsley, Consett, DH8 6QW, priced £15.
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