Birds BOP is fluttering back into action with the first meeting for 2012 on Wednesday.

The organisation says last year brought various excitements to the birding community from hunting for a vagrant channel-billed cuckoo and nankeen kestrel visitors from Australia to collecting, identifying and counting dead seabirds on the beaches.

Birds BOP is starting up again after being on a hiatus over the holidays.

'The overwhelming event was of course the Rena grounding on the Astrolabe Reef. 'Many members took part in the subsequent bird rescue efforts, and it is some of their stories that will be the topic of the February meeting.”

Birds BOP is inviting people along to The True Confessions of Some Bird Rescuers at 7pm on Wednesday February 8.

Fellow bird lovers can also attend meetings at the Arts & Craft Centre on the corner of Takitimu Expressway and Elizabeth Street, with donations asked to cover costs.

People wanting more information can contact Eila at [email protected] or 07 549 3646.