SWAROVSKI OPTIK, a world-leading manufacturer of long-range optics, and 19-year-old environmental activist and ornithologist Dr Mya-Rose Craig have joined together to offer exclusive tips for exploring local nature and spotting some surprising urban wildlife in Bristol this Winter.Bristol is home to some well-known local animals such as its population of urban foxes living in the city’s allotments and gardens, but also some more surprising species such as kingfishers, otters, and peregrine falcons. Mya-Rose is an active and vocal campaigner for protecting nature and wildlife, living in the Chew Valley located just south of Bristol, and her work includes running nature camps for children and teenagers from inner city Bristol with the hope they learn to engage with urban wildlife and nature around their homes.

Mya-Rose has provided top tips for those eager to further explore Bristol’s hidden urban wildlife this Winter including:

  • Badgers, Insects, Butterflies, and Moths in Greenbank
    – In Greenbank, an area where many young people live, there is an overgrown cemetary where you can easily spot the group of badgers living there amongst other fascinating insects. Your best chance of spotting a badger is at dusk as they are nocturnal animals and are rarely seen during the day.
  • Peregrine Falcons and Raven in Durham Downs
    – The stunning plush houses in Durham Downs are home to Peregrine Falcons and Raven that build their nests there. Although patience is key for birdwatching, usually their singing is a great indicator for their hidden location.
  • Kingfishers and Bats in Eastville Park
    – If you visit this inner-city park early, you have a good chance of seeing a Kingfisher. However, once dusk settles, you can spot various bats, including thumb-sized Pipistrelles, smaller Leisler’s, Noctules, and Serotines which are as large as your hand. Just above the river, Daubenton’s can also be seen foraging and grabbing insects from the surface with their feet.
  • Foxes, Badgers, and Deer in St. George and Ashton Court
    – Troopers Hill Nature Reserve, based in St.George is another great hotspot for discovering urban wildlife. It is a hillside, overlooking the River Avon, and serves as a perfect location for spotting deer. When it comes to deer watching, look for signs that the animals leave behind, such as hoof prints, droppings, and hair caught on fences.
  • Frogs and Toads in Fishponds
    – As the ambassador for Froglife, I believe that frogs, toads, and other amphibians need our help to stop the numbers dropping down further. Toads in particular travel up to half a mile to get back to their breeding grounds and are at high risk of being run over on wet nights when they have to cross roads. You can take part in toad patrols in Fishbonds by contacting Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group (ARAG).
  • Hedgehogs in Inner City Bristol
    – Hedgehogs can be found around the gardens of inner city Bristol. If you have a garden, you can create a hedgehog highway by putting a hole in your fence, so that the animals can roam around at night safely.

The world belongs to those who can see beauty.
Experience the moment!
SEE THE UNSEEN.
www.swarovskioptik.com

For more details on Dr Mya-Rose Craig and her work, visit www.birdgirluk.com.

Photo Captions:
Image 1: Kingfishers can be found in Eastville Park. Photo Credit, Pexels, Pixabay.
Image 2: Mya-Rose using SWAROVSKI OPTIK ATX 25-60×65 Spotting Scope and EL 8.5×42 binoculars.
Image 3: Hedgehogs can be found in many of Bristol’s inner city gardens.

For high-res images, click here.

ABOUT SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SWAROVSKI OPTIK, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. The turnover in 2017 was 146.3 million euros (2016: 140 million euros), with an export ratio of 91%. The company has around 950 employees.

ABOUT DR MYA-ROSE CRAIG
19-year-old Dr Mya-Rose Craig D.Sc. h.c. is a prominent British Bangladeshi birder, conservationist & environmentalist. She is committed to conservation such as stopping biodiversity loss and saving our planet through halting climate change, whilst respecting indigenous peoples, and highlighting Global Climate Justice as it intersects with Climate Change Action. She focusses her attention on change from governmental and huge global corporations.

She writes a blog, Birdgirl, gives talks having spoken on a shared stage with Greta Thunberg, writes articles, also appearing on TV and radio. For her work as Founder and President of Black2Nature, which she set up age 13, she is the youngest British person to be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science age 17 for her work fighting for equal access to nature and for ethnic diversity in the environmental sector. In September 2020 she visited the Arctic with Greenpeace, highlighting the second lowest sea ice minimum and doing the most northerly youth strike ever.

Follow Mya-Rose on:
​www.birdgirluk.com
Twitter @Birdgirl.UK
Instagram @birdgirluk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/myarosebirdgirlcraig/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mya-rose-birdgirl-craig/
YouTube birdgirl

Follow Black2Nature on:
Twitter @officialb2n
Instagram @offcialb2n
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OfficialB2N
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/black2nature/

For Media Enquiries, Images and SWAROVSKI OPTIK Product Loan, contact:
GEC PR | [email protected]