If you took part in Hampshire County Council’s poll to find the bird most representative of Hampshire and voted for the Kestrel, then you helped select the winner.

Voting took place during January with people asked to choose between six birds nominated by conservation organisations working in Hampshire – the Brent Goose, Firecrest, Nightjar, Lapwing, Little Egret and Kestrel (see Hedgeendpeople story, ‘Which Bird Most Represents Hampshire? Now’s Your Chance To Vote!’)

The Kestrel is a bird of prey often seen hunting over roadside verges and easily recognisable because of the way it can hover virtually motionless if there is a slight wind, before dropping down on to its prey, usually a vole or perhaps a mouse or small bird. They have exceptionally sharp eyesight and can spot and catch a beetle from 50m. In the UK there are said to be 36,800 breeding pairs.

The Kestrel received 1,160 of the 3,200 votes cast – with the Lapwing coming in second place – and as the winner now features on the logo for the year-long Hampshire Bird Festival running from 14 February.

Chris Packam, the television presenter and wildlife expert, launched the festival at Manor Farm Country Park.

He said: “The purpose of the festival is to generate awareness of the wealth of birds that we have in Hampshire. What I am particularly interested in is explaining to people who don't know about this wealth of birds, that they are here on their doorstep.”

As part of the launch celebrations Chris Packam opened a new bird-hide at Manor Farm, built as a joint effort by many people including Hampshire County Council staff and clients from the QE2 Activity Centre at Manor Farm.

The centre organises activities for ‘people of all ages with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and other specific needs’, and you can see photos of the finished bird-hide as well as work in progress pictures and the story of how the bird-hide was built on the QE2 Activity Centre website (select Project Bird-hide).

For details of the bird walks and other events taking place during the Hampshire Bird Festival see the Hampshire County Council website.

Kestrel photo taken at Lepe in Hampshire, by ejwwest from flickr.

Photo of the lapwings taken by alceda over Ibsley Water in the New Forest, from flickr.