Buying a Christmas gift for the countryside man or woman that seems to have everything is one of those eternal wrangles that many of us face each year
However, this Christmas the UK's leading wildlife research charity, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has come up trumps with its unique range of gifts and treasures that cannot be found on the high street.
What about a gift pack that sponsors an elusive woodcock? Woodcock are small amber-listed wader birds that spend their life hiding away in woodlands. Because they are so secretive, we know little about their migratory habits or ecology and so the GWCT is undertaking a pioneering satellite tracking project that is helping to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding these birds as they follow their long and hazardous migration paths.
The GWCT’s woodcock sponsorship gift pack contains everything needed to sponsor one of these mysterious birds and significantly, it is the gift that keeps giving all year round. Sponsors have the thrilling opportunity of following an individually satellite tagged bird in ‘real time’ on the dedicated website as they fly vast distances from the UK in the spring to their breeding grounds as far away as Siberia in Russia – some 4,000 miles. It is estimated that one male has flown 23,750 miles so far in its life-time.
The return journey back to the UK can be as equally hazardous and will give sponsors another chance to see whether their woodcock has made it safely back to its wintering ground in the UK. It is a breath-taking experience that incorporates science, technology, ecology and geography. A small sponsorship of £36 helps the GWCT to monitor a bird’s location throughout the year and each bird that is tagged provides more vital data to help the GWCT’s drive to conserve the woodcock in the UK.
In addition, to the woodcock sponsorship package, the GWCT’s newly designed online shop has launched an unusual range of Christmas gifts aimed at those who love and cherish our beautiful countryside. The distinctive hand-crafted pewter gift range made by a talented UK craftsman offers wide appeal with spoons, bowls, cufflinks and gift boxes attractively adorned with favourite native animals including woodcock, pheasants, otters and other well-loved species from the British countryside.
The GWCT is fortunate that a number of renowned British wildlife artists are supporting its work by donating illustrations for a range of unique Christmas cards sold in packs of ten, which feature wildlife artists such as Owen Williams, Ashley Boon, Jason Lowes and many others besides.
For those looking for something a bit more practical, the GWCT’s online shop is offering the best-selling GWCT Musto Fenland Packaway Jacket. Waterproof, breathable and exceptionally light and versatile, this jacket is designed for warm wet summers when light performance clothing is essential. The jacket, which is embroidered with the GWCT logo on the left breast, was the winner of the Best New Clothing Product award at the 2014 Shooting Industry Awards.
Other gifts in the range include children’s gifts with a countryside theme, GWCT ties featuring a gold embroidered woodcock, a range of countryside clothing and much more besides.
These are just a small selection from the Trust's wide and varied catalogue, but perhaps the best offer of all is a year's gift membership of the GWCT. Available at just £70, the benefits of membership include: access to unique courses and events throughout the year; the chance to visit our pioneering Allerton Project research farm at Loddington; free copies of Gamewise, the GWCT’s feature-packed magazine produced three times a year; a free copy of the GWCT's Annual Review; participation in the exclusive members' prize draw raffle; and many other perks and services.
Friends and family will be delighted that the proceeds sold in the shop go towards funding vital scientific research aimed at ensuring a healthy and thriving British countryside for generations to come.
To see the full range of gifts the GWCT has to offer, or to place an order please go to: www.gwctshop.org.uk To learn more about the GWCT, its research and its activities, visit http://www.gwct.org.uk.
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Photocaptions: (1) The GWCT’s woodcock sponsorship gift pack contains everything needed to sponsor one of these mysterious birds and significantly, it is the gift that keeps giving all year round. (2) Alternatively, a long handled hand-crafted pewter pheasant spoon makes a perfect gift for those that love their home-made preserves made from the bounty of the countryside.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk