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| Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Sonadia Island, BangladeshPhotograph taken by and copyright Baz Scampion |
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| Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Baz Scampion
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| Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Sonadia Island, Bangladesh Photograph copyright Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project |
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| Fishing cat pug mark Photograph taken by and copyright Young Bird Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig |
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| Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
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We then moved on to another two islands but found no more Spoon-billed Sandpipers. The film crew got some good shots which was great as the whole film project is to raise awareness of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper to Bangladeshis in the UK and Bangladesh and so further safeguard the birds in Bangladesh, which are in jeopardy from the building of a potential deep sea port.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig and Rupoj Sheikh on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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We saw an area of beach that had been planted with non native trees by the Forestry Department, presumably to shore up the beach from erosion. Waders used to use this area during as a high tide roost and so the habitat had been destroyed for the birds.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Forestry Department sign on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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| Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with one of many turtles that had died after getting caught in fishing nets Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig |
In the end, they interviewed me after the surveys were finished, but by then the sunlight was pretty strong and so less than ideal.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Rupoj Sheikh, Amlan Bishwas and Abu Sayed Sumon on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Rupoj Sheikh, Amlan Bishwas and Abu Sayed Sumon on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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On the way back, we stopped at a large village, on Sonadia Island. We had an hour before we would be stranded at low tide, so had to rush. Foysal suggested we give the boatman some clothes, as he was poor, which we did before leaving the landing. The camera crew was great and carried a suitcase, as well as their equipment. They had luckily found someone to carry the other suitcase. The island was much bigger than I expected, with baby taxi's and paved paths as well as lots of children just out of school.
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| Village on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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On the way to the centre of the town, there was a big information sign about the Spoon-billed Sandpiper which I got a photograph with Foysal in front of. He had already asked me what I would be calling him and I said (after a little pause in case it was a trick question) Foysal Mama (maternal uncle and the same as I call Sayam). We decided that Sakib would be Bhaiya (older brother), as he was far too young to be a Mama!
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Mohammed Foysal in village on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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We met an ex-hunter who had been given money to open a tailor's shop and he gave an interview to the film crew, explaining how much better his life was since the project had helped him.
By now we were surrounded by children and villagers. I handed out lots of my cards with me and colourful Crimson Rosella. It wasn't much and I had wondered whether they would even want them. The answer was a big yes, as they pushed forward to grab a card. Next Mum tried to distribute the clothes. We decided they could have one item per person and with lots of football shirts and sports brands from my cousins, the items were literally fought over. I was worried that Mum would get trampled, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. I took some photos with the children and was pleased that they were so interested in my visit. With my cards and the clothes, hopefully they will remember me (the girl who came to see the birds) for a while.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with children in village on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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The man who carried the suitcase ended up without anything, so Mum was persuaded to part with the older one of the two suitcases! I also met the local researcher for the project.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig with Local Researcher in village on Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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By this stage, we had to start rushing back to the boat. The camera crew bought some "dab" water, green coconuts with juice inside, as well buying some cartons of mango juice. Although we were in a rush, if there is one thing I have learnt about eco-conservation projects, those surveying and visiting should always spend money with local people. The more income local people get from the project and visiting birders, the safer the birds are.
We then headed back to Cox's Bazar and thanked the boatman, after paying him 5,000 for the day plus a tip. Taking birders on surveys might be a little bit of a hassle for the project, but I think it makes projects like this one self sufficient and provides income for the locals. I've never seen a birder flush a bird in these circumstances but wouldn't say the same about bird photographers especially if they're not birders as well.
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on the way back from Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig
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Back at the hotel, after the stress of rushing around all day, there was finally time for Foysal to be interviewed about the project, which he did very eloquently in English and Bangla. It’s really important to have footage explaining about the project and raising awareness about it directly from those involved, rather than through me.
Sakib was really interesting as he was doing an internship with ICUN and was really fun. It was time to say thank you and good bye. I am really appreciative to the project, Sayam, Foysal and Sakib for letting us join the survey and hope they recorded as many the next day, when they were taking out a Daily Star reporter.
We then grabbed a couple of hours of sleep, before dinner in the hotel again and bed. It had been a fantastic day and a dream come true.
About the writer
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| Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig
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Mya-Rose Craig is a 12 year old young birder, conservationist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol
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