Wikipedia

Mya-Rose Craig

Mya-Rose Craig (born 2002), also known as Birdgirl, is an English ornithologist, environmental activist, and author. She became known from a young age for her birdwatching achievements, including becoming the youngest person to see half of the world's bird species and holding a Guinness World Record for birding on all seven continents.[1][2]

Mya-Rose Craig
Craig in 2022
Born
Mya-Rose Shanti Craig

(2002-05-07) 7 May 2002 (age 24)
Bristol, England

Early life and education

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She was born in Bristol, England, and raised in Compton Martin, Bristol.[3] Her father, Christopher Craig, is a retired programme manager with an engineering background, and her mother, Helena Craig , is of Bangladeshi heritage. She has an older sister, who is twelve years her senior. [4]

Craig attended Ubley Primary School and later Chew Valley School. In May 2024, she graduated from St John's College, Cambridge, where she studied Human, Social and Political Sciences.[5][6]

From an early age, Craig developed a strong interest in ornithology. She began birdwatching as a small child and launched a conservation blog at age eleven, writing about birding, conservation, environmental issues and environmental inclusion. In October 2014, she wrote for the American Birding Association blog and independently raised approximately $35,000 to support clean-up efforts following an oil spill in Bangladesh's Sundarbans region[7], with funds directed to an environmental protection initiative linked to Mark Ruffalo's Water Defense project.[8][9]

Ornithology

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Craig's birdwatching was cultivated in childhood after her parents took family trips throughout her youth.[10] She went on her first birdwatching trip at just nine days old.[11] In 2009, at the age of seven, she undertook a "big year", aiming to observe the maximum number of bird species within a specific geographical area over a calendar year. She successfully identified 325 bird species in the UK, making her the youngest individual worldwide to accomplish this challenge.[12] In 2012, when Craig was 10, her parents decided to take her out of school for six months and homeschool her themselves, to take her on an extensive trip. The family travelled for six weeks in Colombia, followed by six weeks in Bolivia, and concluded with nine weeks in Peru, returning home for two weeks between each trip to allow her to reconnect with friends.[13][better source needed]

Craig has followed her father's hobby, birdwatching, since childhood. Craig appeared on the 2010 BBC Four documentary "Twitchers: A Very British Obsession." Afterwards she appeared on Springwatch, Countryfile, and The One Show.[14] Her first newspaper column "Birding Tales" was published in the Chew Valley Gazette when she was 12.[15]

At age 11, she started her blog Birdgirl to share her passion for birds. The following year, she campaigned to raise $35,000 for a Bangladeshi charity to deal with the 2014 Sundarbans oil spill.[10]

In 2015, after reaching Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Peninsula, Craig achieved a Guinness World Record for being the youngest female to birdwatch on all continents.

By the age of seventeen, Craig had recorded sightings of more than 5,000 bird species worldwide.[16][17] She achieved her 5,000th recorded sighting a rock bunting at the Castle of Loarre in northern Spain. On 31 August 2019, while birding near Manaus in Brazil, she observed a harpy eagle, a species she had described as the bird she most wished to see. The sighting also marked her observation of half the bird species listed on the IOC World Bird List, making her the youngest known individual to reach that milestone.[18]

By 2019, Craig's birding expeditions had taken her to thirty-eight countries across all seven continents, including Australia, Egypt, the Arctic aboard Greenpeace's research vessel MV Arctic Sunrise, and multiple visits to the Amazon rainforest.[7][19][13]

Craig's ornithological work has been closely connected to public engagement and conservation education. In 2015, after discovering the American Birding Association's teen birding camps, she organised a similar youth birding camp in the United Kingdom, an initiative which later evolved into the charity Black2Nature.[1]

She holds a British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) bird ringing permit holder and carries out research through bird ringing and bird nest box surveys which means checking, surveying, carrying scientific procedures' and recording.[20][13][21]

Activism

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Craig is an advocate for increased equality in naturalism and environmentalism[16] and has campaigned to improve diversity in conservation work.[22] Reflecting on her childhood experiences with birdwatching, Craig recalls the predominantly white and male demographic of the community. Initially feeling comfortable due to her long-standing involvement, around the age of 13 or 14, she began to perceive the lack of diversity within the birdwatching community as unusual. People questioned her interest in the hobby, prompting her to ponder why certain demographics were more prevalent in such pursuits. This realisation sparked her curiosity about inclusivity and diversity in nature-related activities prompting her to advocate for inclusivity in outdoor activities.[10]

Craig created her first nature conference, attended by naturalists including Bill Oddie, at the age of 13.[23] Her older sister's reduced birding time after having a baby spurred Craig to seek out other young naturalists. Discovering the American Birding Association's teen summer camps online, her parents proposed organising similar camps herself. Identifying a lack of diversity in birding communities, particularly among British Bangladeshi backgrounds, she founded Black2Nature in 2015 at 14 to run nature camps for minority ethnic children.[7][24] The initiative addresses the underrepresentation of these communities in environmental fields by offering urban youth opportunities to explore and engage with nature, aiming to prompt change and promote equity within the environmental sector.[16][25][26]

Craig was a "Bristol 2015 Ambassador" during the city's year as European Green Capital.[27] In 2018, she contributed to Chris Packham's A People's Manifesto for Wildlife and was enlisted as the manifesto's "minister of diversity".[28] Craig campaigned with Greta Thunberg at the Youth Strike 4 Climate event in Bristol in February 2020.[29] She has organised conferences featuring celebrity nature enthusiasts such as Bill Oddie, Chris Packham, and RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight.[22]

In September 2020, Craig staged the most northerly climate strike, by protesting on an Arctic ice floe north of Svalbard, at 82.2° N, highlighting the urgency of climate action ahead of the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity.[30]

In August 2022, she was announced as an Oxfam Ambassador and spoke on their stage at Glastonbury Festival.[31] Craig is also an ambassador for Greenpeace, the National Trust[32] The Wildlife Trusts, The Beaver Trust[33] and the RSPCA.[20]

Writing and publications

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Craig is a bestselling author whose work focuses on memoir, environmental advocacy, ornithology, and youth-focused conservation education. Her first book, We Have a Dream(2021), profiles thirty young Indigenous people and people of colour working in environmental activism and explores issues of climate justice and representation within the environmental movement.[34] Her second book, Birdgirl (2022), is a memoir that recounts her experiences as a young birder and environmental activist while reflecting on family life, identity, and mental health.[11] The book was praised by Margaret Atwood as “lyrical, poignant and insightful.”[35] Her third book, Flight (2023), is an illustrated children's work exploring bird migration and the natural world from a bird's-eye perspective.[36]

In addition to her authored works, Craig has contributed writing to several collaborative publications, including How You Can Save the Planet, Wildlings, Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature[37], For the Love of Trees, Food for Thought, and The Most Important Comic Book on Earth. [38]Her work and environmental advocacy have also been featured in publications including Rebel Girls Climate Warriors[39], Saving Birdgirl, and Know Bristol.[32]

Media appearances

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Craig has appeared widely across British and international media discussing conservation, birding, climate activism, and racial diversity in environmental spaces.[1]

In 2025, she co-hosted and mentored actor Sean Bean on the Get Birding podcast series.[40]

She has appeared at Letters Live and has participated in film press events, including promotional appearances connected with Pixar's Hoopers.[41]

Awards and recognitions

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In 2018, Craig won the National Biodiversity Network's Gilbert White Youth Award for recording terrestrial and freshwater wildlife.[42]

In February 2020, Craig received an honorary doctorate in science (DSc hc) from the University of Bristol.[43] She featured on the BBC Woman's Hour Power List of "women protecting our planet".[44]

For International Women's Day 2022, Craig featured on the Evening Standard list of "London women changing the world".[45]

In June 2023, Craig was awarded The Muslim News's Malcolm X Young Person's Award for Excellence.[46] That year, she was also selected as a National Geographic Society Young Explorer.[47]

Craig's first book, We Have a Dream, was nominated for Discover Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2022.[48] In March 2023, she was longlisted for the 2023 Jhalak Prize for her memoir, Birdgirl,[49] which was also longlisted for the 2023 James Cropper Wainwright Prize.[50] The book was a winner of the 2023 Somerset Maugham Award. Her third book, Flight, won the 2024 Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year.[51]

Craig won the Malcolm X Award for Excellency awarded by the Muslim News 2023.[52] Her first book, We Have A Dream was nominated for Discover Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2022.[53] In March 2023, Her second book, Birdgirl, was Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize[54], was a winner of the Somerset Maugham Award 2023.[55] Her third book Flight has been nominated for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration[56] and won the Edward Stanford Children's Travel Book of the Year 2024.[57]

Personal life

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Craig has spoken publicly about her family's experience with bipolar disorder and mental health advocacy, particularly through her memoir Birdgirl. She has cited these experiences as central to shaping both her environmental work and broader public advocacy.[22]

Bibliography

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  • Craig, Mya-Rose (January 2021). We Have a Dream. Magic Cat Publishing. ISBN 978-1-913520-20-5
  • Craig, Mya-Rose (June 2022). Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future. Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-1-78733-320-8
  • Craig, Mya-Rose (June 2023). Flight. Puffin Books. ISBN 978-0-241-59792-7

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Birdgirl marks decade of helping minority children access nature". www.bbc.com. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  2. ↑ sophie.ellis@ourmedia.co.uk (9 February 2026). "Who is Mya-Rose Craig aka Birdgirl? All you need to know about the ornithologist and activist". Discover Wildlife. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Lewis, Tim (19 June 2022). "Birdwatcher Mya-Rose Craig: 'The nature sector is decades behind in terms of diversity'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Mya-Rose Craig's Search for Family Amid an Extraordinary Life of World Birding | Audubon". www.audubon.org. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Head, Ally (28 September 2023). "8 Gen Z climate activists to follow now that aren't Greta Thunberg". Marie Claire UK. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  6. ↑ Vines Booth, Mia (3 May 2023). "'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose joins National Geographic's Young Explorers". Bristol 247. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl, founded Black2Nature to inspire a new generation of birders". Country Living. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "The One Show's Mike Dilger and Birdgirl join forces – Agri-hub". 20 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Perspective - 'Birdgirl' author Mya-Rose Craig on the importance of protecting the environment". France 24. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Specter, Francesca (14 September 2023). "Mya-Rose Craig (AKA Birdgirl) on getting trolled and campaigning alongside Greta Thunberg: 'Posting on social media is not activism'". Glamour UK. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  11. 1 2 Lewis, Tim (19 June 2022). "Birdwatcher Mya-Rose Craig: 'The nature sector is decades behind in terms of diversity'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  12. ↑ "Mya-Rose Craig aka 'Birdgirl' on breaking down barriers, mental health & ... birds". The Independent. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 "Somerset teenager becomes youngest birdwatcher in world to spot 5,000 different species". Somerset County Gazette. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "Mya-Rose Craig | 'If you care and want to change the world, you can go out and do it'". The Bookseller. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  15. ↑ Bearn, Emily (14 June 2023). "A beautiful book about birds that will make children's imaginations soar". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 "Youngest person to birdwatch on all continents (female)". Guinness World Records.
  17. ↑ "The 16-year-old who flew around the world to spot 5000 birds". Times. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig receives Bristol University honorary doctorate". BBC News. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  19. ↑ Thomas, Natalie. "Teenage British activist stages climate protest on Arctic ice floe - Environment". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Birdgirl Mya-Rose joins RSPCA to help Bristol kids enjoy nature". www.bbc.com. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig: nature defender | Friends of the Earth". friendsoftheearth.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  22. 1 2 3 Jacobs, Emma (7 July 2020). "Mya-Rose Craig: 'Young people need to see someone like them who is into nature'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "Mya-Rose Craig: Twitter's BirdGirlUK to receive honorary doctorate". BBC. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  24. ↑ "'Birdgirl' joins RSPB committee as youngest member". BBC. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  25. ↑ "Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig pleads for climate action after heatwave". BBC. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "BirdGirlUK creates nature camps for BAME children". BBC. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  27. ↑ "Bristol 2015 Ambassadors | Bristol 2015 - European Green Capital". 14 November 2015. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  28. ↑ Bourke, India (26 September 2018). "Springwatch host Chris Packham's radical quest to end "the war on wildlife"". New Statesman. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  29. ↑ Creamer, Nora (28 February 2020). "Greta Thunberg tells Bristol climate rally she 'will not be silent while world is on fire'". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  30. ↑ Kolirin, Lianne (25 September 2020). "British teenager stages most northerly climate protest in the Arctic". CNN. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  31. ↑ "Oxfam GB | Dr Mya-Rose Craig joins Oxfam as a new ambassador to help raise awareness about climate change". Oxfam GB. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  32. 1 2 "Our ambassadors". National Trust. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "Mya-Rose Shanti Craig". National Geographic. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  34. ↑ Williams, Jeremy (9 August 2021). "Book review: We Have A Dream, by Mya-Rose Craig". The Earthbound Report. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "Mya-Rose Craig". 5x15. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "My book review of 'Flight' by Mya-Rose Craig | more about books". www.moreaboutbooks.com. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  37. ↑ Sidwell, Graham (26 November 2020). "How we made the eBook of Fantastic Beasts – The Wonder of Nature". Pottermore Publishing. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  38. ↑ "The Most Important Comic Book on Earth". Climate Lit. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  39. ↑ "Rebel Girls Climate Warriors: 25 Tales of Women Who Pro…". Goodreads. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  40. ↑ "Podcast – Get Birding". Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  41. ↑ Gould, Carswell; Jen (9 March 2026). "Letters Live Earth Day at the Royal Albert Hall". Letters Live. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  42. ↑ "Winners of the 2018 UK Awards for Biological Recording and Information Sharing Announced!". National Biodiversity Network. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  43. ↑ "'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig receives Bristol University honorary doctorate". BBC News. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  44. ↑ "Woman's Hour Power List: The women protecting our planet". BBC. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  45. ↑ Strick, Katie (8 March 2022). "International Women's Day: 22 amazing London women changing the world in 2022". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  46. ↑ "The Muslim News Awards for Excellence: 2023 winners". The Muslim News. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  47. ↑ "Introducing the National Geographic Society's 2023 Young Explorers". news.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  48. ↑ "Sally Rooney and Julia Donaldson among nominees for British Book Awards 2022". The Argus. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  49. ↑ "2023". Jhalak Prize. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  50. ↑ "Women dominate James Cropper Wainwright Prize longlist as prize pot increased". The Bookseller. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  51. ↑ "Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2024 presented by Viking". Stanford's.
  52. ↑ "The Muslim News Awards for Excellence: 2023 Winners - Muslim News UK". muslimnews.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  53. ↑ Eddowes, Ryan (21 August 2023). ""Bird Is the word": An interview with British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist and diversity activist Dr. Mya-Rose Craig AKA "Birdgirl"". Conservation Careers. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  54. ↑ "2023". Jhalak Prize. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  55. ↑ "Birdgirl by Mya-Rose Craig is 2023 Winner of the Somerset Maugham Award". janklowandnesbit.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  56. ↑ "The Carnegies". Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  57. ↑ Bassetti, Jeremy (22 January 2024). "Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2024". Travel Writing World. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
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