Birding around my village in the Chew Valley
A few weeks ago I went on a village walk around where I live. It was arranged by the Parish Council, which my Dad, Chris Craig, is an elected member. It was the same day as the Tedx Talk that I did and was great because it took my mind off the talk. I always find that walks in nature are a good way of de-stressing.
Today I went on the same walk around our village with both my Mum and Dad. It was a different route to the ones we normally take and so lovely to do. When I did the walk before, it was with Dad leading the walk and was for families with young children but Mum didn’t come as she had vertigo. What I had noticed about this was that there were quite a few really old trees along the way. These are some of the ones that we are lucky enough to still have in our village, which is in the Chew Valley, south of Bristol. Dad had stopped and told us all how to work out how old trees are, which all the little kids really loved. He has been doing Forest School at the local primary school for almost 5 years, so all the children know and love him. Whenever they see him, they run over, shouting “Mr Craig, Mr Craig!” and then tell him about the birds or nature they have seen recently. It is so great to see. Although I hate to say it, he is a pretty cool Dad, although never have dreads or a ponytail again.
Mum was recovering from being unwell for a month so was a bit unfit and huffing and puffing, which was quite funny for Dad and me to watch, so she’s on a fitness programme for Indonesia this summer!
Trees are really important to our landscape, culture and heritage. I don’t understand why local authorities do not prioritise protecting trees. We have ancient woodland and orchards in our village that Bath and North East Somerset Council are not interested in protecting even though we live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). If you feel that trees should be protected, please sign the Tree Charter, which I am a Champion for.
The best birds of the walk were 4 Linnet which is scarce here, as well as these amazing trees. A nap is always good.
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| Young Birder Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig admiring trees in the Chew Valley Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig |
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| Young Birder Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig admiring a tree and derelict building in the Chew Valley Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig |
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.