With the Summer in full swing, Bird Aware Rangers have been from one corner of the Solent to the other!
With the Summer in full swing, Bird Aware Rangers have been from one corner of the Solent to the other chatting with the public at nature reserves, remote coastal locations and local events.
In June, Ranger Natalie visited Milton Locks in Portsmouth to put on a morning for young families alongside the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The event celebrated marine life at the Locks and the children got to look at and feel molluscs and invertebrates like the Netted Dog Whelk, Slipper Limpet, Sand Hopper and Shore Crab.
On a super hot day in July, two of our Rangers set up a stall at the Whitely music festival to play nature inspired games and chat to local residents about the importance of giving birds space to feed while they are out enjoying the coast. Even though the event coincided with England’s World Cup quarter final match against Sweden, it was a great success – just like the England result! – and the team chatted to over 90 people.
More recently, Natalie and Lizzie went to Marine Wonders at Lepe Country Park in the New Forest. The team showcased our new game ‘How Unique is Your Beak?’ which imitates different feeding methods shorebirds use to catch their food. This was a big hit, with some children returning to the stall on multiple occasions to try and beat their previous score!
Public engagement and events are at the heart of Bird Aware’s objective to raise awareness about coastal birdlife and the fragile ecosystems around the Solent. If you have any suggestions for our Rangers to go along to an event or attend a gathering to give a talk, please get in touch via our contact us page.
