During 2025 - and in celebration of the Club's 50th anniversary - we published, on social media and on this site, a series of 50 weekly "Bird of the Week" pieces, written by John Crosby and with photographs by Mark Harper. Links to the individual articles are provided below.

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Fifty weeks, fifty birds, and a vivid reminder of just how rich, varied and rewarding birding in County Durham can be. From familiar garden companions to fleeting migrants, from quiet marsh specialists to headline-grabbing raptors, this series has celebrated the birds that shape our seasons and our shared experiences in the field.

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As winter framed both the start and the end of our journey, we were reminded of the value of everyday birds. Robins sang through the short days, Long-tailed Tits brought joy as they moved through hedgerows in tight family parties, and Starlings gathered into ever more mesmerising murmurations over lowland carrs - small moments that anchor birding firmly in the here and now.

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Spring brought returning voices and fresh colour. Reed Warblers chattered from reedbeds, Little Ringed Plovers scraped out nests on bare gravel, and Swallows stitched together villages, wetlands and farmland as they swept low over fields and water. These were the sounds and sights that signalled the turning of the year.

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Summer carried optimism and excitement. Hobbies scythed through warm skies in growing numbers, with confirmed breeding continuing to give real hope for the future. Red Kites, once absent, drifted far beyond the Derwent Valley, while Ospreys paused on passage, hinting at what might yet be possible with patience, tolerance and time. Even quieter species such as Tree Sparrow and Grey Partridge reminded us that careful management and local knowledge can still make a difference.

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Autumn then ushered in movement. Meadow Pipits, Wheatears and Goldcrests passed through in steady flows, some fresh from crossing the North Sea. Greenshanks, Common Sandpipers and Redshanks dropped into shrinking wetlands, their numbers shaped by weather, water and the wider landscape. Fieldfares and Pink-footed Geese followed, arriving from the north in noisy flocks and elegant skeins, marking the true turning point of the year.

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If you’ve enjoyed following 50 Birds to Celebrate 50 Years of Durham Bird Club, we’d love you to consider joining us. Membership runs from January to December, and by becoming a member you’ll be supporting county ornithology, conservation, recording, and a community of people who care deeply about birds and the places they depend on.

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This series has only scratched the surface, but it has shown something important: every record matters, every patch has value, and every observer plays a part.