What Is a Contribution to Birds and People?
In short anything that illuminates our wider relationship with birds. Most contributions are less than 300 words. They can be humorous, personal, technical or informal. They can describe how birds help define our sense of place, season and even ourselves. Your story may describe a personal favourite. It may describe how a song gives meaning to a place or a part of your life. It may be a piece of folklore or surviving belief. Many communities still fear owls or the cries of owls. In Central American children still hunt hummingbirds with catapults believing that to eat their hearts will make them brave and improve sight. At Christmas friends and family tug the turkey’s wishbone, hoping their wishes will come true. Birds are part of our language, giving us place names as well as sayings.

We have also prepared some lists of birds and the associated stories/subjects on which we welcome contributions They are arranged by region and intended only as a starting point, as examples simply to jog your memory or to suggest ideas. They are by no means exhaustive. We welcome stories about other bird species and on completely different subjects which you think should be included. What, for instance, is your favourite bird or favourite birdsong? What role do birds play in shaping your sense of your home area, or the unfolding year and its seasons? You may have had memorable encounters or experiences which reveal the part birds play in our personal, emotional and spiritual lives. You may know of an important book, or story, or a painting, piece of music etc that you think we should include. You may have created one yourself. We want to hear your suggestions.

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