In what is now becoming an annual event Field Nats members are invited to kickstart your 2026 bird list by joining the RFNS birding challenge on Thursday 1st January 2026. This year there are two options, Greater Manchester or Rochdale Metropolitan Borough. The objective for the day is to record as many bird species as you can within your chosen boundary between the hours of dawn to dusk.
Whichever option you choose you must be at the designated meeting point, The Baum in Rochdale, at the finish time of 5.00pm, so plan your route carefully!
If you think you would like to take part then please express your interest by emailing Pam Crofts via rfnspublicity@gmail.com (click or tap here, or please put ‘birding challenge’ in the subject) and Pam will get back to you to confirm the finalised details nearer the time.
Click here for maps and instructions