Search is on

About 437 different varieties have been spotted by the county's birdwatchers over the years, from the common to the exotic.

Not all of them breed in the county and some are seen only on the coast - but all have a chance to be selected.

The quest has been launched by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to celebrate the start of its diamond jubilee year.

It was founded 60 years ago by a group of enthusiastic naturalists in York, including Arnold Rowntree, of the chocolate family.

Rowntree is now part of Nestl and its charitable arm, the Nestl Trust, is the main sponsor of the effort.

The trust is distributing thousands of postcards and posting web pages, asking people to nominate the bird they like the most.

Chief executive Victoria Chester-Kerr said: "We hope this campaign will encourage everyone to look at wildlife around us. Birds are everywhere but most of us take them for granted. We don't appreciate how beautiful and interesting they are.

"We are asking people to nominate the bird they enjoy most. They could pick a bird they see in their garden or local park, perhaps a bird they see walking in the country or on a trip to the coast. Just ask yourself - which bird cheers you up when you see it?"

She added: "All the US states have their own bird. Yorkshire people have even more pride in where they come from. It's time we had one too."

Postcards with information and a nomination form are available from many local libraries, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust or at www. yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk

Nominations close on May 31 and the shortlist will be announced in July.