I have a big sister called Ayesha, who is about to be 26 Years old. When I was little she was my ‘cool’ big sister and as a young female birder and twitcher, she was a fantastic role model. Ayesha’s a strong character and had to deal with young male birders ignoring her because she had seen more birds them. That’s helped me deal with attitudes like that. She lives 15 minutes away, still in the Chew Valley and has Laila who is 7 years old and Lucas who is 2 1/2 years old.

My sister Ayesha Ahmed-Mendoza age 13 (my age now!), me, Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig, as a toddler
and my Dad, Chris Craig in DevonPhotograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

When Laila was young, she and Ayesha still came twitching with us.

Laila with her Nanabhai (granddad) on Orkney twitching a Sandhill Crane
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Laila Price looking at the pictures in one of her Nanabhai’s bird books (my Dad, Chris Craig)
Photograph taken by and copyright Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Laila Price looking at the pictures in one of her Nanabhai’s bird books (my Dad, Chris Craig)
Photograph taken by and copyright Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Laila goes to my old primary school, Ubley Primary, where she does forest school with my dad.

Laila Price at Forest School with her Nanabhai and my Dad, Chris CraigPhotograph copyright Chris Craig
Laila also comes to a few family events, where I have helped as a leader.

One of the events was at Avalon Marshes, earlier in the year. This was a brilliant event and it was great to inspire younger children. Under tens tend to think teenagers are cool and want to do what they do, so I know it’s worthwhile trying to inspire them.

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig and Laila Price at Shapwick Heath at an Avalon Marshes Centre Family birding day where I was a leader
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

A few weeks Laila and Lucas watched me and Dad ringing (banding) birds in the garden, which they were both interested and excited by. Lucas doesn’t talk much but kept saying “bird” over and over again, very excitedly.

Young birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig ringing with Laila Price watching
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig ringing with Laila Price watching
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Chris Craig ringing with Laila Price watching
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Chris Craig ringing with Laila and Lucas Price watching
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Chris Craig ringing with Lucas Price watching and enthralled
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig ringing a Marsh Tit
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

This is a drawing Laila recently did showing me and my parents’ bird watching.

Drawing by Laila Price, age 7, of Mya-Rose, Chris and Helena Craig birding