16 days to go; with a ditty.

Here's a little ditty 'wot I wrote' in honour of the WWT Spoon-billed Sandpiper captive breeding programme. OK it may not win prizes, but if it raises a smile and a few quid I'll be content. If you like it show your delight by clicking on 'Click here to Save a Spoonie' on the side bar and donate a little to the project, if your don't like it, show your displeasure by clicking on the same button and donating even more and I'll promise to stop writing ditties to punish you with! (It is also published on the side bar in a page of its own.)

Spoon-billed Sandpiper chick hatched at Slimbridge 2012
© WWT

He is a spoon-billed sandpiper, he has a funny beak.

He’s delicate and tiny, and relatively weak.

He lives in Arctic Russia, and winters up the creek.

It is the spoon-billed sandpiper, that we are off to seek.

Vladmir the spoonie, has a lot that’s full of strife,

Every day a challenge, just fighting for his life.

His only son was butchered, by a hunter with a knife

And last year down in Myanmar, they barbequed his wife!

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

Now that down in Asia there is no room for you?

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

I hear that down in Myanmar they still make spoonie stew!

The detectives went to Myanmar, to gather up the facts.

They worked their little socks off, pushing to the max.

They spoke to all the chiefs there, and entered into pacts,

Turned hunters into fishermen, so spoonies could relax.

The gang went up to Russia, for spoonies they did look.

They looked and looked, then looked some more, and even sleep forsook.

They searched in all the crevices, each cranny and each nook.

Finally they found a nest, and all four eggs they took!

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

Now that down in Asia there is no room for you?

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

I hear that down in Myanmar they still make spoonie stew!

The chicks were hatched in Russia, then to England they did fly.

Not that they used their own wings, but that is by-the-by,

In comfort, peace and sanctuary, that money couldn’t buy,

These chicks grew into juveniles so dapper and so spry.

So safe and warm and free from harm, the spoonies lived a dream,

But in four walls they languished, with the captive breeding team.

A flock was made and added to, success so it would seem,

The captive breeding programme, was at full head of steam.

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

Now that down in Asia there is no room for you?

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

I hear that down in Myanmar they still make spoonie stew!

Meanwhile back in Russia, they were still denuding nests.

Hatching eggs and rearing young, free from harm or pests.

The little birds were all kept warm, with little woolly vests,

With vet on hand in case of ill, but they passed all the tests.

Then came the time to free them, to the wild they were returned,

The project was a huge success, with many lessons learned.

The spoonies flew off southward, and although they were concerned,

The gang could now put up their feet, a cup of tea well earned.

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

Now that down in Asia there is no room for you?

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

I hear that down in Myanmar they still make spoonie stew!

Now Vladimir goes flying, with new mates on the block

It’s still a challenge getting there, but he still loves Bangkok

On his way to Myanmar, where he’s in for a shock

No more spoonies in the pot, just smelly fish and stock!

The moral of this ditty, says WWT,

Is if you care enough it seems, what you wish can be.

the spoonie isn’t safe yet, but with help it will be free

And then my great granddaughter, can see one just like me.

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

Now Asia is much safer, a place where you can rest.

Spoonie, spoonie, what you gonna do?

We hope you have a peaceful time, with love from Wader Quest.

© Rick Simpson October 2012.