WELNEY Wetland Centre was the starting point of a fund raising 60-mile bike ride on Sunday, raising funds to help protect the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper.
Mike Edgecombe, a member of the Oriental Bird Club, cycled from the Welney Wildfowl and Wetland Trust site to Salthouse in Norfolk. So far he has raised more than £700 on his Just Giving page and about £500 from other sources.
The spoon-billed sandpiper is hurtling towards extinction. Fewer than 100 pairs remain in the wild, and the WWT has made two expeditions to Far East Russia to start a conservation breeding programme for the spoon-billed sandpiper.
A small flock is also under specialist care in a purpose-built aviary at WWT’s headquarters in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. g the spoon-billed sandpiper.
Emma Brand, events and marketing officer for WWT Welney said: “It was a pleasure for the centre to be the starting point for Mike’s fund raising bike ride. We are always encouraged by the support the public have for WWT and our conservation breeding programmes to save some of the world’s rarest birds.”
To support the campaign, go to www.justgiving.com/michael-edgecombe to donate or for more information on this incredible bird go to http://www.saving-spoon-billed-sandpiper.com/
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