Schools meet seabird ‘neighbours’
Strachur, Tighnabruaich and Kilmodan primary schools are taking part in an exciting project this summer term which is revealing the wonders of their seabird neighbours.
Local ecologist and seabird specialist Katharine Lowrie is leading workshops along with local artist, Inge Bos, supported by all the teachers and volunteers of the schools.
“The sea influences the lives of our children and wider communities,” said Katharine.
“We see the sea from the playground, community woodland and on the way to school.
“Gulls screech over our heads, oystercatchers and curlews probe for invertebrates on the village shinty pitch and gannets shoot through the sky at over 60 miles per hour in their incredible dive for fish.
“I want our community to re-connect with these amazing birds. Birds that travel thousands of miles to find food and thrive in one of the most hostile environments on earth.
“Millions of seabirds call Scotland their home - it’s internationally important for them - but they need our help,” Katharine added.
The children have been learning the names of the seabirds and how to recognise their weird and wonderful calls.
From eider ducks to Manx shearwaters and black guillemots, the schools are finding out about the birds’ special adaptations for life at sea, where they breed, how they feed their chicks and their importance in the marine food web.
“We have been using home-made charcoal to sketch the forms of the birds. This encourages the children to get more familiar with seabirds and to recognise their special features,” said Inge.
“They’ve made collages using newspaper, feathers, fabric, and pastels. The creations are fantastic and will decorate new seabird interpretation boards which will be constructed and located on Cowal for all to enjoy.”
The workshops include quizzes, videos, word searches, crafts, games, beach sculptures, litter picks and poetry.
Katharine even has a box of “treasures”, which she has been showing the kids, from her seabird work in the Caribbean and South America, including a brown pelican skull and magnificent frigatebird feathers.
Seabird Neighbours project has created a platform for discussing these threats, as well as exploring how they can be combated.