Hen Camp Wales 2023 | BTO
Earlier this month, BTO Youth hosted the 2023 Wales Hen Camp on the Nationwide Belief’s Stackpole Centre in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The BTO Youth employees and volunteers had been joined by 15 younger wildlife lovers aged 11–17, who arrived with an expanse of information and in addition area for studying from our skilled volunteers.
The primary night allowed for the campers to settle into the world and be part of a bat speak with native bat specialist, Paul, and follow utilizing detectors on a close-by roost of Larger Horseshoe Bats.
The subsequent day introduced with it new-found power, the place the group acquired to find the moth species discovered of their moth traps, and put together for a Search hunt utilizing the web ID app – a little bit of wholesome competitors between campers for the prospect to win prizes!
It was then en path to Martin’s Haven for a ship journey round Skomer Island, the place campers acquired to see massive numbers of seabirds, together with Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Guillemot, Linnets, Puffins, and even some younger Gray Seals. The group subsequent travelled to Marloes seashore for a spot of lunch and rockpooling.
Again on the lodging, campers loved a relaxing mindfulness session and had been launched to the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) within the area.
The day was then wrapped up with a lesson on songbird ID hosted by BTO Coaching Officer and Youth Consultant Kate, then lastly a campfire and some entertaining rounds of campfire video games – with the campers undoubtedly beating the BTO Youth employees!
The ultimate day referred to as for a chicken ringing session with licensed chicken ringers Steve and John, joined by camper Izzy who’s a licensed ringer as nicely. Many chicken species had been ringed, together with juvenile Robins, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, in addition to a Sedge Warbler and Track Thrush.
The group travelled to Stack Rocks, the place a colony of Guillemots might be seen – we counted over 1,500! Drawing seabirds got here subsequent, which was led by Youth Advisory Panel member Alicia, our in-house photographer and artist. A second PoMS session was a chance for the group to identify some smaller species and practise their pollinator monitoring expertise.
Subscribe to BTO Youth Information
Be a part of the flock and keep updated with every thing BTO Youth: all our information, upcoming occasions and thrilling alternatives.
The campers ready their very own artwork exhibition within the centre’s auditorium, with individually-made drawings and camp findings to share with relations and carers. BTO Youth employees then shared a second to thank their most important camp supporter, the Cameron Bespolka Belief. After many group photographs and moments of constructive reflection, the primary Hen Camp was full.
The campers had a good time, studying extra about birds and wildlife, and sharing these experiences with like-minded younger folks. We’re off to England subsequent, so control the web site for an replace.
Hen Camps are made potential because of the help of the Cameron Bespolka Belief.
Uncover occasions, our newest information and blogs and a variety of sources all created particularly for BTO Youth in our Hub.