Scotland is internationally important for seabirds, with more than 5 million breeding here each year. Sadly, many are in decline due to human activity, and so it is important that we do what we can to protect them! Some of the threats that seabirds are facing include:
- Climate change – warming seas means some fish, like sandeels, are moving northwards and many birds can’t catch enough for their chicks. Storms and harsher weather is making it harder for them to breed and damaging their homes
- Pollution – Birds can get caught in litter (especially from fishing) and mistake litter for food.
- Disease – Seabirds can catch viruses just like us. Unfortunately, bird flu has been causing a large amount of bird deaths around Scotland and the wider UK.
- Overfishing – humans and seabirds have the same taste in fish and sometimes we take too many out of the sea. In Scotland we have Marine Protected Areas where this can be restricted.
JARGON BUSTER! Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are places at sea where some damaging human activities (such as certain fishing methods, oil, renewable energy) are restricted by the government to protect marine habitats. In Scotland around 37% of our seas are protected by MPAs!
As well as doing practical things to help wildlife, we can also spread the word about environmental issues – you can get started by colouring and sharing this poster!
What you will need:
- Printed activity sheet
- Colouring pencils
How to make your poster
- Start by thinking (or chatting if in a group) what threats our seabirds could face? How might this affect them? How could we help?
- Colour in the poster, which aims to help spread the word about what we can do to save our seabirds.
- As you are colouring in, why not think (or chatting if in a group) about the different actions highlighted on the poster. Are there any you could do as an individual/group/class?
- Once finished, decide who you would like to share the poster with. Should it be displayed somewhere, or given to someone for them to learn from or display?
- Who could you talk to about actions to help seabirds? Think about audiences, e.g., friends, family, school, local community groups and businesses.
- Why not take a video or picture of your posters, or you taking action, and share it with us!
Share photos of your poster with us using #DiscoverLearnPlay