One of many correspondents during The Biggest Twitch was a very keen young birdwatcher from North Wales, Kaitlan Davies, no relation to Alan! Not only has Kaitlan got an amazing knowledge of birds but she is determined to doing something to help conserve them. As a regular visitor to her local reserve, RSPB Conwy, Kaitlan heard about many threats to our birdlife but it was the plight of Albatrosses that really caught her imagination and she was determined to do something to help stop the deaths of these magnificent birds by the long line fishing industry. The Albatrosses grab bait on lethal hooks that are intended for fish out in the open oceans. Research has shown that flying streamers behind the fishing boats stops the seabirds coming close to the boat, allowing the baited hooks time to sink before the birds can grab them. This simple but effective measure costs money of course as does the funding of the Albatross Task Force that goes out on the boats to explain the system to the fishermen. Kaitlan decided that she could make a real difference to the protection of the birds by raising money for the Albatross appeal. So she set about collecting used postage stamps and sending them off to the RSPB to provide money for the vital work of the Albatross Task Force. But Kaitlan has done much more, she has enthused others about the Albatross Appeal and has told her whole school about the plight of these magnificent birds. She has put together a really slick Powerpoint presentation telling the story and including amazing photos and packed with facts, just brilliant!
When Kaitlan invited us Ysgol Cynfran, her school, in Lysfaen, North Wales to see her work we of course agreed immediately and today we got the chance to visit. We met Kaitlan and her mum, Carolyn, and were also introduced to the Cynfran Albatross Task Force of Dorothy, Jessica and Olivia all of whom have been working hard to raise funds and the profile of the Albatross Appeal, a top team. We were also treated to a private viewing of the Powerpoint presentation in the school’s computer room. We were blown away by the professionalism of the presentation and we learned a lot about the appeal and Albatrosses in general, so thank you so much girls.
But there was more, not only had the team been working hard to help save the Albatross but they have also been taking action to help local wildlife by building top quality nest-boxes. The girls have donated one of these nest-boxes to RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve and asked us to deliver it to the reserve. Of course we were very happy to help and took the box straight to the reserve and presented it to the staff and volunteers. The box will be placed in a suitable spot and fingers crossed will soon be home to a family of birds.
To find out more and how you can help the Albatross Appeal visit www.rspb.org.uk