The Trust was delighted to be involved in sponsoring the first ever Scottish Bird Camp. The first week in June saw twelve enthusiastic 11 to 15 year olds gather at the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) East Lothian base for a weekend to remember.
The event was held in partnership with the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC).
It was a jam packaed weekend but perhaps the highlight of the camp was a boat trip out to the Bass Rock. The island is host to more than 150,000 northern gannets, the world's largest colony of the species. It often described by naturalists as one of the wildlife wonders of the world. The expedition to the volcanic plug was an assault on the senses; the air was filled with the rattling cries of gannets and the unmistakable aroma of bird guano.
Each of the young people helped release a bird after the ringing demonstration - a truly magical moment for the young birders.
A visit by local wildlife artist, Darren Woodhead, allowed the young birders the chance to express their creativity by creating their own bird models. The weekend was rounded out with a bird ringing demonstration by the Lothian Ringing Group and an education into the art of moth trapping delivered by Katty Baird. There was also plenty of opportunity for birding at the lagoon in Musselburgh and bird nest hunting with local expert Colin Davidson.
You can read a full report on the weekend's activities on the BTO website
The camp also featured in the magazine Scottish Birds
The bird ringing demonstration
The boat trip out to Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth
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