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.
FANTASTIC!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nigel, your work is an inspiration to us all. Cheers. Rick and Elis.
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