BUSINESSES in the North East are being asked to back a bird.
Durham Bird Club launched the sponsorship scheme yesterday for its Birds of Durham book, which is out next year.
Keith Bowey, of Glead Ecological and Environmental Services
– the project coordinator for the Durham Bird Club – said: "This is an easy and cost-effective way for companies to demonstrate their support for local wildlife.
“It also helps with the production of a book which should provide the last word on the birds of the county for generations to come. “We have already secured some fantastic support from a number of local companies, but we would love to be working with more local firms.â€
Bus company Go North East is sponsoring two bird species.
Martin Harris, company commercial director, said: “Many people will be familiar with our award-winning Red Kite service, and it will come as no surprise that this is one of the species that we are sponsoring in the book.
“The other is the kingfisher, in recognition of our Kingfisher route that runs east-west across urban Gateshead, which aims to help local people access both urban and urban-fringe green space.â€
Gateshead printing firm Chromazone has opted for the peregrine falcon. Earlier this year staff at the digital display imaging company produced a 13.5m (44ft) peregrine falcon in 70 pieces. It was held up at an event by volunteers on Gateshead Quayside to back a petition signed by more than 200,000 people demanding an end to the killing of birds of prey. 
Other company choices include:
GlaxoSmithKline – spotted flycatcher. Barnard Castle in Teesdale, where the company is based, is an important area for the bird.
International Paint Ltd – kittiwake. The company has a kittiwake colony on its river frontage at Felling in Gateshead.
Sunderland’s Leengate Welding Services – hen harrier, because it is the managing director’s favourite bird of prey.
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership – curlew, merlin and meadow pipit. A trio of upland birds which exemplify the wildness and beauty of the area.
The Original Bakehouse at Whickham in Gateshead – long-eared and short-eared owls. The managing director loves owls.
Journal life
Any business
can sponsor a species for as little as £50, and with almost 350 species to choose from, there is plenty of choice.
Keith Bowey said: “If any business has a bird-related element to their brand, name or function, then this is a great demonstration of a company’s environmental credentials.â€
