Hampshire County Council is asking people to decide which bird most represents Hampshire from a list of six nominated by county conservation organisations – the Brent Goose, Firecrest, Nightjar, Lapwing, Little Egret and Kestrel.

Voting is open during January and the winning bird will become part of the logo for the year-long Hampshire Bird Festival starting on 14 February.

The festival will see walks and events organised throughout Hampshire with everyone having the opportunity to learn more about birds – from how to build a bird-box to learning to identify a bird from its song.

A number of museums in the county will be hosting exhibitions. At Eastleigh Museum you will be able to see the work of Victorian taxidermist Edward Hart. The Hampshire County Council website lists details of other museum events.

The Hampshire Bird Festival launch date has been chosen to coincide with the first day of National Nest Box Week which is organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and is now in its tenth year.

Their aim is to enhance biodiversity and promote the conservation of breeding birds and wildlife through encouraging people to put up nest boxes.

For pictures of and more information about the six birds you can vote for visit Hampshire County Council’s website – Hampshire Bird Vote page – and post your vote!

Photo from Flickr, by ClifB.