Saturday 31 October 2015

My Column in the Chew Valley Gazette - Birding Tales


I have been writing a column for my local newspaper, The Chew Valley Gazette.  My column is called Birding Tales and it is great to know that lots of people who work for the BBC Natural History Unit and in the natural history field live in the Chew Valley, just south of Bristol, and read my column.

These are a couple of my recent columns:

November 2015 

My Column was about birding in the UK and seeing my 450th species in the UK and is on Page 44 http://bit.ly/LboNOi


Black Stork, Sunken Island, East Yorkshire
Photograph taken by Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig



September 2015 

My column was about birding in Uganda and is on Page 9 http://bit.ly/1NfCxVu




Shoebill, Mabamba Wetlands, Uganda
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig


About the Writer



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig



Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 



Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter













Article on Swarovski Optik Blog


An many of you will know from reading my blog, I have a pair of Swarovski Optik CL Companian 10 x 32 binoculars.  They are perfect for me because they are so light, but still giving me the performance I need especially for world birding.

This summer, I used a harness strap whilst in East Africa, which worked really well distributing the weight and stopping me from getting binocular neck.

This is an article that was published on the Swarovski Optik blog, about my birding trip to East Africa and seeing my 4000th bird in the world.

http://aa.swarovskioptik.com/nature/blog/The_4000th_bird_of_Birdgirl_Mya_Rose


Please can you post a comment if you like the article.


Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, with binocular harness, Mabamba Wetlands, Uganda
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, with Swarovski Optik binoculars, Uganda
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig




About the Writer



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig



Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 



Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter














Friday 30 October 2015

RSPB Caingorms Nature Young Presenter of the Year Competition 2015


Whilst I was in Uganda, I looked for opportunities for making a short film for the RSPB Young Presenter Competition 2015. I decided that Mountain Gorillas would be amazing, if I could film them.  However, I knew that it would be difficult to video these fantastic creatures.

Filming live was a lot more difficult than say filming an insect in the garden, as I was only able to do one take each time. Mostly I was having to talk quietly, as I didn't want to disturb the animals.  I could not plan what I was going to say, as I did not know what would happen on the day.

In the end, we had an unbelievable encounter with the Mountain Gorilla and saw all 15 in the group, with a few of them walking within an inch of me.

Here is my video:

Mountain Gorilla with 5 day old baby
Photograph taken by Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig


Blackback Male Mountain Gorilla
Photograph taken by Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig



About the Writer



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig



Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 



Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

















Wednesday 28 October 2015

The Article in the OBC Magazine about my trip to Bangladesh


I made a trip in February 2015 to Bangladesh, to survey the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper that winter on Sonadia Island, give a talk in Dhaka and raise the profile of the birds through the Bangladesh media.  The trip was important to me as I am half Bangladeshi and also because I am the Ambassador for World Shorebird Day, a wader charity.

My trip was supported by the Bangladesh Bird Club, many of whom attended my talk in Dhaka.



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Bangladesh Bird Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


The Oriental Bird Club (OBC) then published an article about my trip in their June 2015 Magazine, Birding Asia.  I felt extremely proud to have an article published in the OBC Magazine, which is extremely highly regarded. 


Article in June 2015 OBC Birding Asia Magazine


About the Writer



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig



Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 



Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter
















Sunday 25 October 2015

More ringing



These are some photographs from my recent ringing at Chew Valley Ringing Station.  I love ringing and I'm grateful to everyone at the ringing station who helps and supports me.  Mike Bailey is my trainer there and he is brilliant, dedicating his retirement to the ringing station.

Special thanks also to Pete Burston, for all his patience as a trainer.


Ringing a Goldcrest on 27 Sept 2015
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig


East Harptree School Environmental Club at the ringing station on 8 Oct 2015
I have taken them out birding before but missed them because of school

hotograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


Two scarce Lesser Redpoll at the Ringing Station on 8 Oct 15
New ringing birds for Chris Craig and Pete Burston
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


Ringing a Great Tit on 8 Oct 2015 after East Harptree School had gone home
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


Ringing with Pete Burston on 8 Oct 2015 after East Harptree School had gone home
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig



Ringing a Teal at Chew Valley Ringing Station 10 Oct 2015
Photograph taken by Chris Craig


Ringing a Teal at Chew Valley Ringing Station Oct 2012
Photograph taken by Chris Craig


Ringing a Teal on 10 Oct 2015
Photograph taken by Chris Craig


Ringing a Nuthatch on 11 Oct 2015
Photograph taken by Chris Craig

Ringing Redpoll sp ringed on 25 Oct 2015
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig


About the Writer


 
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig




Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 


Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter












Saturday 24 October 2015

Bristol, World Centre of Wildlife Films


I live just south of Bristol, which is a fantastic place to live if you are interested in nature, green issues and especially nature filmmaking and TV. 25% of the world’s nature programmes are made here and lots of people involved in the industry live in and around the city.


There is a great exhibition at Mshed in Bristol until 1 Nov 2015 called Nature, Camera, Action! The Secrets of making incredible Wildlife films. It and the other events mentioned here are part of the events programme in support of this exhibition and also part of the Bristol 2015 programme of events, for whom I am Ambassador. 


Simon King with binoculors
Presenter Simon King


On 23 October, I had a day off school and so was able to go to all three of these events:

During the roadshow I loved finding out about how sound is added to nature programmes; talking to Simon King and Doug Allan who are both legends; talking to Dani Godwin who I have met before and who is now with BBC Earth and to Billy Clarke, who works on the One Show and also meeting Anneliese Possberg who is doing a Masters at UWE and was really interesting.  It was really inspiring to meet all these talented people.



Presenter Simon King with Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


Billy Clarke, researcher on The One Show with Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


The exhibition was fascinating – just looking behind the scenes to see how programmes were filmed.

We then popped out for some food before returned for Doug Allan’s talk.  I think he is incredible diving in Antarctica where the water is so cold.  Mum and Dad know him but it was great for me to find out more about how he works.  It was a brilliant end to the day.



Doug Allan giving his talk Natural Born Thrillers
Photograph taken by Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig


Wildlife Film Roadshow

Ever wanted to know what's involved in making incredible wildlife film and TV?  Are you a future star of the industry?

  • Meet industry experts from producers and camera crew, to runners and editors to find out how it all works from the professionals themselves.
  • Hear insider secrets and real life experiences
  • Handle specialist kit
  • Have a go at being a wildlife presenter
  • Come face to face with a T-Rex jaw
  • PLUS meet presenter Simon King (Big Cat Diary, Springwatch, Blue Planet and much more)



Whats on


Have a go at being a wildlife TV presenter (with Garry Green) 

This activity uses technology commonplace at the BBC. As you read your script, you will appear to viewers to be in a totally different location – perhaps deep underwater with sharks… Good luck!

Making sound effects with Paul Ackerman 

The art of Foley! Paul will demonstrate some of the sounds made with natural history props, and then you can have a go yourself… It might even be recorded and played back with a film clip, so you can see how well you’ve done.

Meet presenter Simon King 

Simon is a Naturalist, Author and Broadcaster and is well known for his presenting work on popular series such as Big Cat Diary, Springwatch and Autumnwatch as well as his series Simon King’s Shetland Diaries. Here you can talk to him about his work and the programmes he’s presented, and buy signed books and calendars. 

Meet Spyturtle and Spytuna (with Rob Pilley of John Downer Productions) 

Join producer Rob Pilley on a highly interactive stall where you can get up close and personal with the SpyCreatures featured in the BBC TV series ‘Dolphins – Spy in the Pod’ and ‘Penguins – Spy in the Huddle’. Rob will also be on hand to answer all your questions about how the programmes were made.

BBC Natural History Unit stall (with Billy Clarke, Dani Godwin and Bertie Allison) 

See a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, or Drone) that is used for filming aerial shots. Dani will be demonstrating her Foxwatch website and film. Bertie will be talking about his recent graduation and show his own film. BBC producers and directors will drop in to talk to visitors during the day.

Meet cameraman Doug Allan 

Doug is a freelance wildlife / expedition/ underwater cameraman and photographer. Chat to him about any aspect of wildlife filming, and the kit and souvenirs he’s brought with him, including a polar bear tooth. Cards and copies of his book Freeze Frame – A wildife cameraman’s adventures on ice will also be available.

UWE MA Wildlife Filmmaking course (with Peter Venn, students and recent graduates) 

UWE’s MA Wildlife Filmmaking course gives budding filmmakers an outstanding opportunity to work with the BBC Natural History Unit here in Bristol, the ‘Hollywood of Wildlife Film’. Meet course leader Peter Venn, find out how the course works and the kinds of things students get involved with, and watch some of their final project films.



Nature, Camera, Action! The secrets of making incredible wildlife films

The deepest oceans, the coldest continents, the most fearsome animals – wildlife filmmakers and photographers have faced it all in pursuit of the perfect shot. Explore the challenges they face and the amazing kit they use in this exciting exhibition for the whole family.

Through films, objects used ‘in the field’ and lots of hands-on exhibits, Nature, Camera, Action! will highlight Bristol as the ‘Hollywood’ of wildlife filmmaking.

Visitors will be taken behind the scenes of programmes like Planet Earth and The Private Life of Plants to discover how filmmakers and photographers invent innovative ways to get up close and personal with their subjects.

Families can have a go at building bug houses, identifying insects from the sounds they make, trying on Polar clothing, camping out inside a hide, and creating a mini time-lapse movie. For those who dare, there is even a shark jaws photo opportunity and the chance to submit a short wildlife film for inclusion in the exhibition.

Nature, Camera, Action! The secrets of making incredible wildlife films is our flagship exhibition in support of the Green Capital programme of events. It highlights Bristol as a global centre for wildlife filmmaking within the international framework of this exhibition.

Nature Camera, Action! The secrets of making incredible wildlife films has been produced with support from the BBC Natural History Unit, BBC Earth and BBC History. Exhibition organised and toured by the National Media Museum, Bradford.



Natural Born Thrillers: A talk by Doug Allan




Doug Allan has been filming wildlife for over 30 years. If you’ve ever wondered how to approach whales underwater, avoid being eaten by polar bears, or stop your fingers falling off from frostbite – come and listen to Doug’s stories.

He’ll also be signing copies of his book Freeze Frame – A Wildlife Cameraman’s Adventures on Ice.



About the Writer



Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig


Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

















Friday 16 October 2015

Camp Avalon - Articles in SOS and Avalon Marshes Newsletters



Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


In June 2015 I organised and ran a camp for young birders and encouraged five ethnic minority teenage boys to come, which is something not even the big conservation NGO's have managed. Camp Avalon took place on the Somerset Levels, based at The Avalon Marshes Centre.

As well as everything else, we did some fantastic birding on the Levels.  We saw Great White Egret, Bearded Tit, Cuckoo and Bittern.


In September, The Somerset Ornithological Society (SOS) published an article in their Newsletter, The Bittern, about Camp Avalon. Julian Thomas and Brian Gibbs, the Somerset County Recorder, both SOS members helped during the weekend. The link to the newsletter is The Bittern but the article is below.

Hamza Khandker age 16, Bird Sketching Workshop, Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

The Bittern - Welcome


Hello again!

An eternal question for all county ornithological societies is ‘Where are the next generation of birdwatchers coming from?’ Looking around the table at SOS committee meetings, it’s immediately obvious that the average age is higher than any of us would like (personally, I suspect, as well as looking to the future of the Society). Any initiative which encourages young birders is therefore definitely a good thing. So it is great to carry a report in this issue of the inaugural Camp Avalon, to which several SOS members gave their time, and which appears to have been a great success. It is the brainchild of Mya-Rose Craig (aka Birdgirl), who you may know from the BBC4 documentary Twitchers: A Very British Obsession. Now a few years older, though still only 13, Mya has not only built up an impressive world list, but also takes nature conservation (both here and abroad) and getting young people interested in birdwatching and all other aspects of nature very seriously indeed. Sounds good to me.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Camp Avalon 2015



Mya-Rose Craig reports on a new birding camp for young people In February, I was looking longingly at the details of Camp Colorado and Camp Avocet organised by the American Birding Association (ABA) for teenage birders. The idea is that over a week away on camp, young birders learn from experienced, well-known ones as well as making new friends and most of all enjoying themselves. 


Camp Colorado, USA


There was nothing here aimed just at teenagers and so I decided to organise a camp, Camp Avalon. Mum and Dad [Helena and Chris Craig] said they would help and I felt sure that some Somerset birders would help too. However, it would be just for a weekend and cheap, so that it was accessible. The Avalon Marshes Centre agreed that we could use their site for free, I found a campsite nearby, and lots of birders with a wide range of skills and experience agreed to give their time unpaid. I then read an article by David Lindo in ABA Magazine, where he talked about ‘opening the door’ to nature to inner city or ethnic minority teenagers. Camp Avalon needed to be inclusive. I talked to people in Bristol and tried to overcome the barriers to these young people connecting with nature or coming on a camp like this. 

David Lindo, 'The Urban Birder'


The camp was over the weekend of 19–21 June and we had 14 attend, including keen young birders Ben Bond, Dan Burrows, Tom and Mia Carpendale, Tom Gale, Aiden Gregory, Lewis Mitchell, Thomas Weston and myself. Also five black or Asian teenage boys from Central Bristol came, none of whom had ever camped. 

On the Friday evening, we met up at the campsite, helped get all the tents up and cooked dinner. Moni-e (pronounced mon-e-a) was the first person I had met from St Paul's and was amazing. He luckily took over cooking from Mum and so we got to eat before going out mothing at Shapwick Heath with Bill Urwin. A few people were scared of moths but bravely stuck around. 

Moni-ee Blackwood age 15, Nabil Khandker age 15 and Rashan Salman McCormack age 14
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


On Saturday, we all started early with a walk on Ham Wall RSPB reserve with brilliant Somerset birders Julian Thomas and Chris Griffin. It was fantastic to see so many species including 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Bitterns, Cuckoo heard, and 2 Bearded Tits seen by Thomas. Back at the centre, we had sessions on world birding and conservation from Andy Mears, keeping good records and fieldcraft from Somerset Recorder Brian Gibbs, photography from Chris Griffin, Brian Gibbs and James Packer, sketching birds from artist John Gale, and after dinner Nightjars at Stockhill with Chris Craig, which were only seen by a few because of the breeze. 


Julian Thomas, Rashan Salman McCormack age 14, Moni-ee Blackwood age 15 and Chris Griffin
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


On Sunday morning, we started the day with Mike Bailey, Chris Craig and myself giving a ringing demonstration, with Mike then giving a presentation. Everyone was really interested in this session and I hope that those from the city will never forget holding a bird in their hands and letting it go. One of the loudest boys was scared of holding the birds but still had a go. After lunch, I gave a talk on World Shorebirds Day and saving the Spoon-billed Sandpiper followed by a really instructive bird ID walk on Shapwick Heath with Keith Vinicombe. 

Mia Carpendale age 12, Ringing, Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

I had an amazing weekend along with all the young birders, but I hope everyone got something out of it that they will never forget. Thank you to all who helped. 

Next year Camp Avalon will take place on 8–10 July and hopefully we will be able to make it bigger and better with lots more people helping with sessions as well as behind the scenes.

Dan Burrows Age 12, Ringing, Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

The Avalon Marshes Newsletter also published an article about Camp Avalon in their Apr-Jun 15 Newsletter:

We were joined on our biobliz by a group of teenagers organised by Mya-Rose Craig AKA Birdgirl on a young people's birding and wildlife weekend called Camp Avalon. Camping at a local campsite and using the Avalon Marshes Centre as a base, as well as joining us for some of our activities, the children took part in sessions on bird recording and fieldcraft, bird ringing, photography, wildlife sketching and listened to talks on world birding and conservation.



The camp was attended by a wide range of teenagers from some of our Young Wardens who are experienced birders and mothers to teenagers from inner city Bristol who had never visited the countryside before. The event was a great success and we were very proud to support them and welcome new visitors to Shapwick.


Camp Avalon
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig


About the Writer


 
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig




Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and is looking forward to watching Penguins in Antarctica in December 2015, which will be her 7th continent. 


Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter