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Five students from Baptist Wing Lung Secondary School (BWLSS) made an impressive effort in a bird-spotting challenge won by veteran bird-watchers.

Braving cold weather and rain, the students recorded 94 species of birds around the territory within 24 hours in The Big Bird Race 2005 earlier this month.

The challenge was organised by World Wide Fund (WWF) Hong Kong on March 11 and 12.

BWLSS was the only group comprising secondary school students among the 13 teams of bird-watchers.

Jebsen Eagles won the race after recording 145 species of birds.

They were the favourites since all members were  experienced bird-watchers, with their  captain, Richard Lewthwaite, having taken part in 18 Big Bird races.

Professionals came second, having spotted 144 species of birds, followed by Hongkong Electrics All Stars and Aston Martin Falcons, both of which recorded 140 species. BWLSS came second last in the race, but the team won the Pentax Cup for the highest number of  individual donations - 592 - most of which came from their schoolmates, teachers and parents.

The students were praised by their teacher, Kwok Chi-tai.

'It was very cold, especially in the northern New Territories. The temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius,' Mr Kwok recalled.

'And it rained on both days. We had to travel with the heavy telescopes, reference books and the umbrellas.

'There were scattered showers at the beginning but then it started to pour. The conditions were very bad. But the students persevered till the end. I was very proud of them.'

Team member Wong Hiu-nan, 14,  said the race helped her learn the value of teamwork and determination. 'Although the weather was very bad, we supported each other and tried our best to work together,' she said.

'I did not feel tired because the trip was so exciting. I felt that time passed too quickly.

'I hope to join the race again next year and achieve a better result.'



Bold amateur bird-watchers spot 94 species