EUROPE'S ornithologists have struck an early, morale boosting blow for the continent's golfing hopes next September. Twelve keen eyed men and true have soundly beaten the Americans in the first ever "Bird watching Ryder Cup."

The event, which we referred to in these columns a few weeks ago, was aimed at demonstrating that golf courses can be thriving environments for wildlife. So, on Wednesday last, the birdwatchers sallied forth on 12 selected courses in Europe and 12 in the US. As it happened, the European team recorded a total of 217 species while the Americans reported 237. On the basis of naturally richer American fauna, however, the respective team captains had agreed a handicap system whereby US species would be equivalent to five from this side of the Atlantic.

In the context of the forthcoming golfing battle at Valderrama, it seemed highly appropriate that the star European bird watching site should also have been in Spain. At Club de Golf Ulzama, in the Pyrenean foothills near Pamplona, ornithologist Antonio Rodriguez Albeloa recorded a staggering 101 species, including 15 different birds of prey, such as the golden eagle, Egyptian vulture and Montague's harrier.

Altogether 18 species of bird of prey, plus five species of owl, 22 waders, seven woodpeckers and 22 warblers were recorded among the 12 European sites. Which means that when Seve Ballesteros is desperately seeking inspiration in the heat of Ryder Cup battle he need only look to the skies.