By This is London 01.09.05
Christopher Eccleston picked the golden eagle. Celebrities have been
revealing their favourite UK birds. The eagle and puffin were just some of
those nominated by 10 actors and TV personalities who were questioned by
the RSPB.
Unsurprisingly, Billy Boyd, who played Peregrine Took in The Lord of the
Rings, chose a peregrine.
"One of my most challenging and yet rewarding roles as an actor was the
character of Peregrine Took in Lord of the Rings," he said.
"(He was) a brave but cheery and cheeky character, much like the
peregrine. So choosing the peregrine has a personal appeal for me as
well."
Christopher Eccleston, who plays Dr Who in the BBC programme of the same
name, picked the golden eagle after dreaming about the majestic bird as a
child, and Top of The Pops presenter Fearne Cotton choose the eagle after
seeing them fly in America.
The puffin was favourite with Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker and Really
Wild Show presenter Michaela Strachan.
The swallow was top of the bill for wildlife TV presenter Bill Oddie,
while presenter Nick Baker who is also president of the junior section of
the RSPB, the RSPB Wildlife Explorers, chose the dipper which he described
as "dapper, smart and sleek".
Other celebrities included Charley Webb, teenager Debbie Dingle in
Emmerdale, who nominated the kestrel; Kate Humble, Springwatch presenter,
who chose the skylark and presenter Simon Thomas who picked the house
martin.
Derek Niemann, editor of RSPB BirdLife magazine where the research was
published, said: "When people are asked to pick a favourite of anything,
the real pleasure is in looking at the alternatives.
"In the case of birds, there are hundreds of species in the UK to choose
from. When you choose your favourite bird, you'll be thinking about the
ones you really like and why. It will make you want to go out and see more
birds."
The RSPB is a UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds
and wildlife.
