In 2016 the Norfolk Bird Race raised £1634.10 for Wader Quest, in 2017 we hope to raise as much or maybe even more for The Bird Observatories Council. However, that's more than 6 months away and it's too long for me to wait to put myself through a painful and tiring experience so.........

The Norfolk Bird Race is going on tour (sort of). At the start of October I am off to the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory for a week of birding with friends. I have a bit of holiday left to use after that so I thought it might be a nice idea to link the 2016 and 2017 bird races somehow. So, I have decided that it would be a great idea to cycle from North Ronaldsay down to Norfolk visiting bird observatories and places with lots of waders on the way. Maybe I am mean spirited but I've never been a big fan of the charity events that just seem to be a bit of a jolly for the person doing it, so hopefully cycling over 600 mile in October having not really ridden a bike in anger for 20 years will be suitably wet and miserable for people to feel sorry for me and give money to the cause! Add to the mix the fact that to keep costs down I am intending to camp, sleep in mates' gardens and generally rough it and you will see I am not planning on it being a jolly in the slightest.

My route isn't fully planned yet so if you have any suggestions for places between Aberdeen and Cley then get in touch, likewise if you have a garden along the route that you don't mind a slightly overweight, sweaty, middle-aged man using for a night then let me know. More route details will go on here soon, if you are around and fancy joining me for a bit of biking and/or birding let me know.

Every penny you give will be split 50-50 between Wader Quest and The Bird Observatories Council, both organisations do great work and really do warrant your support.

Thanks
Andrew Whitelee