Harry and Luke's Big London Birdrace

What started as a £100 bet with my girlfriend Hara (or the birdwatching widow as she calls herself) has become quite a challenge — my cousin Luke and I must see (not hear) 100 species of bird within the M25 ring in just 48 hours. Part of the aim is to prove to Hara, and to anyone else who disagrees, that it doesn't matter where you are, it is always worth taking an interest in wildlife even if you live in a big city such as London.

Although I may have been a little drunk, and probably a little foolish, at the time, I've accepted the challenge and to be honest with you I have no idea how achievable this is and how I'm going to pull it off as I am new to London. I've also not made it easy for myself, as I work full-time and am also in the process of moving house, but am doing my best to scout out and read up on potential London sites as well as getting advice from local experts. But I'll be inspired by 3 things:

• My love for birds;
• My love for London;
• Most importantly, I will be inspired by my total dedication to prevent the smug look on Hara's face!

Hara's smug look (photo: Harry Boorman).

The dates for the race are 28th–29th May, which is a compromise between a good birding time of year and fitting in with Luke's A-level exams. Please help me prove that birdwatching, even in a city like London, has something to offer and ultimately help me prove my girlfriend wrong, as I can't bear her teasing if she is right! So I need your help and advice on the best sites/routes/regular scarcities in London.

The breeding season 'species richness' map for London from the ongoing Bird Atlas seems to show that this challenge is indeed win-able (map: BTO).

Having been a keen birder for 20 years, I've already come up with some ideas based on London Wiki reports, but would appreciate any help that London birders can offer. So, no matter how insignificant they may seem, please forward any suggestions to me. If we win the £100 it will be donated to the RSPB, so it's all for a good cause. There is also the option to sponsor the trip with all money going to the RSPB via Just Giving.

The whole trip is also going to be documented on video and published on YouTube, so you can watch the adventure happen. We will also be updating our blog as our plans progress.

Hara has left some encouraging words for us before we set off: "I honestly don't believe you have a chance in hell of doing this. Surely there aren't that many birds all in a city like London and even if they were, a fool like you would never find them. You probably won't even get 80 LOL."