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NEWSLETTER 3
SC HO O L LINK S
PRO G RA MM E
APRIL 2015
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
The School Links Programme
(SLP) was established as part
of the Mongolian Artificial Nest
Project to teach local children
why five thousand artificial
nests were erected on the
Mongolian Steppe in 2010.
Educational resources on
falcons and falconry were
written to enable students to
understand and answer the
question. Twenty Mongolian
schools were identified to take
part with the aim of linking
each of them with an
international school by the end
of 2015.
The school links programme
currently links thirty eight
2014
schools in eight different
countries, aiming to widen
students knowledge of falcons,
worldwide falcon conservation
programmes and give an
introduction to falconry.
Fifteen new schools joined the
programme in since September
2014. Mongolian schools were
linked with schools in the
Netherlands, South Africa, Malta,
Slovakia, Northern Ireland and
England.
A website has been created to
enable students to communicate
safely through a closed blog and
to enable easy access to the
educational resources available.
MONGOLIAN ARTIFICIAL NEST PROJECT 2014 RESULTS
In 2014, 766 Saker Falcon
nests were recorded. It is
estimated that 2,322
fledglings were produced at
the artificial nests.
In addition 1,343 Common
Kestrels, 466 Upland
Buzzards, 402 Ravens and an
Eagle Owl were recorded
breeding in the artificial nests.
At the start of the breeding
season 80% of the available
artificial nests were occupied
by raptors. In July 2014 3,553
artificial nests were still
standing
Since 2010, 1,697 artificial
nests have been removed,
broken or fallen over.
Artificial nests are taken for
scrap and bolts holding the
barrels to the poles have been
removed to use on
motorbikes. Both barrel and
pole are taken to use as
building materials. Other nests
have fallen over due
to soil erosion or are
pushed over by
livestock.
The Mongolian Artificial Nest
Project is being implemented
on behalf of the Environment
Agency—Abu Dhabi.
SCHOOL LINKS PROGRAMME
Page 2
NEW SCHOOLS JOINED IN ACADEMIC YR 2014-15
AIRAG, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH ST MARTINUS
SCHOOL, NETHERLANDS
Airag and St Martinus students have been
learning how the artificial nest project is
linked to falconry.
With the help of falconer Tula
Stapert, St Martinus have learnt
about sustainable use and falcon
trade, and are observing a pair of
local peregrines through a
webcam.
Airag students have created a
detailed presentation on their
school, geographical location,
environment, local mining, culture,
sport and transportation. See
http://schoollinksprogramme.org/
airag/ to view this excellent piece
of work.
Students will communicate
through the website blog and
continue to learn about falcon
conservation.
ADAATSAG, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH PORTCHESTER
COMMUNITY SCHOOL, UK
Adaatsag students have
covered all the educational
resources and visited the
artificial nests to see Saker
Falcons, Upland Buzzards,
Ravens and Kestrels.
Students worked with soum
leaders and rangers to
re-locate and install artificial
nests near their school.
Portchester is the first
secondary school in the UK to
join the link. All resources will
be taught through English
lessons and as an additional
studies group. Falconer Bob
Dalton has visited the school
to give an introduction to
falconry and raptors used for
falconry.
Students created informative
and thoughtful drawing for the
2014 calendar
Students will communicate
through closed blog and pen
pal letters.
Falcons & falconry
BAYANDELGER, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH MAXIMILIAN
HELL SCHOOL, SLOVAKIA
This link has started off well
with both schools creating
and sharing presentations
about their school in the first
few weeks.
At Bayandelger, students
from class 7b are learning
about the artificial nest
project. They have created
excellent paintings and will
be visiting the artificial nests
near their school in May.
Students from Maximilian Hell
joined the school link
programme with a wealth of prior
knowledge of falcons as falconry
is taught as part of the school
curriculum. Students are
learning about the artificial nest
project and why it is important to
a balanced eco-system to
conserve falcons.
Students will communicate using
the closed blog
NEWSLETTER 3
Page 3
BAYANMUNKH, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH BAY PRIMARY
SCHOOL, SOUTH AFRICA
Class 6a at Bayanmunkh
have linked with Bay Primary
School in South Africa with
the help of Dr Adrian
Lombard.
Bayanmunkh link class have
covered all the educational
resources and have a good
understanding why the
artificial nests were erected.
Students will visit the nests
with team researchers and
biologists in May.
Bay Primary school have created a fantastic
presentation about their school and South Africa.
To view this presentation go to
Students will communicate
through blog chat.
http://schoollinksprogramme.org/bay-primary-school/
DARKHAN, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH ST PATRICK’S
SCHOOL, NORTHERN IRELAND
Darkhan School has recently
linked with St Patrick's
Primary School with the help
of Marc Ruddock of the
Northern Ireland Raptor
Study Group (NIRSG) and
vice-principal Stephen
Colton.
St Patrick’s students have
learnt about Irish raptors,
different falcon species
across the world
and understanding the
importance of falcons in food
chains and ecosystems. Falconers
and raptor educators, from the
NIRSG and Irish Hawking Club visited
the school to show live birds and give
a falconry display. The students also
had a chance to help build a kestrel
nest box which will be installed near
their school later in the year
Class 6a at Darkhan are currently
covering the educational resources
and preparing a presentation about
their school to send to students at
St. Patrick’s.
GALSHAR, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH
SAN BENEDITTU SCHOOL, MALTA
Galshar students are learning
about the Artificial Nest Project
and will be visiting artificial
nests near their school in May.
San Benedittu School has been
introduced to the link by falconer
Lawrence Formosa and the
Fridericus Rex Malta Falconers.
Galshar students will communicate
with students in Malta using the
blog chat provided.
Students at San Benedittu will
start learning about falcons
and falconry this summer term
and plan to run the School Link
Programme as an extra
curricular club next academic
year.
IKHKHET, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH
CHICAGO MONGOLIAN SCHOOL, USA
Ikhkhet school are teaching the
resources and plan to visit the
artificial nests in May. The
Chicago Mongolian school is a
Saturday school established for
Mongolian children living in
Chicago.
Students will communicate
using the blog chat provided.
NEWSLETTER 3
Page 4
UULBAYAN, MONGOLIA LINKED WITH WASHINGTON
IRVING MIDDLE SCHOOL, USA
Uulbayan students have
created their school
presentation and have
completed all the
educational resources.
Students will be visiting the
artificial nests in May and
will create a field trip report
to send to their new link school.
Washington Irving school was introduced
by falconer Craig Hendee who regularly
visits the school with his falcons, and
delivers lessons.
Students will communicate using the blog chat
KHALZAN, MONGOLIA LINKED TO ZAYED KAZAKH
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MONGOLIA
Khalzan School has recently linked with
another Mongolian school situated approximately 1000miles NW of Khalzan.
The Zayad Kazakh International school of
Mongolia will help add new knowledge to
the programme as the school is located in
an area where falconry is still practiced.
We are looking for a new UAE
school to join this link to create
the first three way link in the
programme.
Both schools are learning about the
artificial nest programme and teaching
the resources provided.
Students will communicate through blog
and email.
FACEBOOK PAGE & CLOSED GROUP
A closed Facebook group
was established in
September 2012 to aid
communications between
teachers from all schools.
Teachers, falconers and
raptor biologists, share
photographs, student
work, falcon conservation
and research articles, give
updates and share ideas
for lessons.
A Facebook page has been
created this year to enable
anyone to view, or comment,
on the programme. Students
images will not be displayed
on this Facebook page unless
permission is given by the
school and/or parent.
See https://
www.facebook.com/
schoollinksprogramme
NEWSLETTER 3
Page 5
A School Links Programme website has
been established with the help of
teachers & students.
www.schoollinksprogramme.org
Available in English, Mongolian & Arabic
We have used student art work for the website graphics. The homepage displays a student painting which will be changed
each month. Schools will be asked in advance to contribute a painting or photograph for the homepage
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Birds of Prey
Artificial Nests
An Introduction to Falconry
Falcons
Migration
Raptors used for Falconry
The resources to teach this programme are
available to download from the website in
English.
Falcon Conservation Re-introduction
History of Falconry in Mongolia
Top Predator
History of Falconry in United Arab Emirates
Raptor Electrocution
PowerPoints, teacher fact sheets and student
worksheets are available for each topic. Art and student
activity worksheets have been prepared for some topics.
Click the icon to download or view the resources
Mongolian and Arabic updated resources
will be available online by the end of August
2015.
SCHOOL PAGES
Each school in the School Links Programme has a dedicated page on the website. The page
contains school information, access to the blog chat and student presentations and art work. The
page text is in English with a tap button link to Mongolian text and/or the native language of the
link school.
Teachers have access to their own school page through a secure password which allow school staff
to upload students work directly.
The newsfeed from
the Facebook page
is displayed on the
news page along
with newsletters in
Mongolian, Arabic
and English
STUDENT COMMUNICATION
In the past , we have encouraged students to write to each other and asked schools to select five students to become pen pals.
Letters were written, translated and sent to pen pals in corresponding schools. We would like to see this continue if possible with
students eventually speaking to each other independently through social media or email.
Private blog chats have been set up between link schools. The chats can be accessed during school time through a set password.
This will give schools the ability to send a message daily if they wish. For some linked schools the time difference is twelve hours,
this means the students are never in school at the same time making skype or live chat impossible. The blog chat will alleviate this
problem as messages can be left and answered by the link students on their return to school. Google translate has been embedded
into the blog to enable students to write in any language, although we encourage all students to write in English as many schools
aim to use this programme to improve pupils English skills.
We have been investigating better ways to facilitate communication between the link schools for some time. Teachers, students,
parents and website designers were consulted before the blog chat was created. We are hoping that all schools with internet will
use this great IT communication tool.
INFORMATION
Viewers to the website are given four drop down tabs. Information has been specifically written for teachers, students, parents
and falconers in English and Mongolian. A downloadable, printable, information booklet is available for new schools, parents and
school managers.
Website created by Charlotte Laine www.data-etc.co.uk
NEWSLETTER 3
Page 6
UNITED STATES SCHOOLS:
This is our third year of participation
in the School Links Program and
there are now five schools in the
Chicago area that are linked with
schools in Mongolia. The Chicago
Mongolian School has participated,
and we were able to attend the Chicago Naadam Festival hosted by the
American Mongolian Association. In
addition, curriculum has been
developed and used all year at our
regular appearances to showcase
the School Links Program and the
Artificial Nest Project.
Our teachers have a very large
amount of curriculum to present to
their students each year, and I have
been very fortunate to work with
OWL ROOST BOXES
Our upcoming project that is
similar to the Kestrel
Initiative is to construct
BY CRAIG HENDEE, THE INTERNATIONAL
HERITAGE CONSERVANCY
innovative teachers and schools who
value this global learning opportunity
enough to work it into their yearly
schedule. There are many aspects of the
school links, such as, history, the Steppe
Culture, and Nomadic life that relate well
to the core curriculum of our students,
but the part that really gets them excited
is how their peers live in Mongolia, the
Camels, Yaks, Horses, other livestock,
and the mighty Bangkhar. When all of this
is combined with the Artificial Nest
Project, Saker Falcons, and then related
to the Peregrine Falcon Restoration here
in the United States that they study, the
results have been truly amazing.
Falconry itself is a large part of this
program, and I am fortunate to have two
falcons that are used in our classes for
prospective falconers seeking to be
licensed that the School Links students
learn to safely handle. Alvin, the famous
tiercel, is their favorite. Some of our
students have taken the raptor handling
further and have worked with me and given
presentations about falcons, the School
Links Program, the Artificial Nest Project,
and other subjects at events including,
International Migratory Bird Day, The
Scottish Highland Games, Outdoor World,
and The Festival of the Horse and Drum.
Students and teachers have also taken the
raptor handling classes, and really have
done well. I thank their parents and
teachers for giving the students these
opportunities.
nestboxes or roosting boxes
for Screech and Saw Whet
Owls. While Screech Owls
are fairly common here, they
have a difficult time sharing
their territories with the
larger owls who prey on
them. Likewise, the migrant
Saw Whet Owls have a very
small window to find a
suitable and safe roost when
they move into our area. Like
KESTREL NESTBOXES
Throughout much of its range, the American Kestrel (Falco
Sparverius) is experiencing a decline in its wild population. Our
students in the School Links Program have constructed 10
Kestrel Nestboxes, and they have been placed in suitable
locations to attract pairs of Kestrels. The students are very
enthused to have an opportunity to have a project mirror the
work done by the Artificial Nest Project in the fields and forests
of their own area here in Illinois.
NESTCAM
the Kestrels, there is an
increasing loss of habitat,
and especially smaller
hollow trees away from the
wooded areas and larger owl
species that these small
owls need to safely roost and
nest. We are constructing 10
owl Boxes and will put them
out in ideal areas to attract
Screech Owls or Saw Whet
Owls.
As part of a grant for the School Links
Program, a video camera was
purchased and placed inside one of the
Kestrel Nestboxes. So far no birds have
used the Nestbox, but the camera
works well, and the students really
learned a great deal about the concept
of the Nestcam. They now keep track
of nesting birds all over the world.
NEWSLETTER 3
Page 7
NEW EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Educational material will be
available for the start of the
Autumn term on the
re-introduction Project for
Saker Falcons in Bulgaria.
‘Top Predator’ resources
have been created to teach
students why it’s important
for eco systems to conserve
falcons. The pack consists
of a PowerPoint, fact sheet,
student worksheet and
three student activities.
‘Raptor Mortality’ educational resources have been written to
make students aware of raptor electrocution in Mongolia. Using
the resources available students can learn how this problem can
be rectified.
Resources on the migration of Arctic
Peregrines will be on the website in
May 2015
All educational
resources written in
2011 have been
revised and updated.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FALCONRY 2014
Thousands of people, including
a large number of school
children attended the IFF in Abu
Dhabi in December 2015.
The School Links Programme
occupied a display tent in the
family area. During the school
visits, students were given a
presentation on falcons as
top predators & learnt about
Mongolian saker prey &
artificial nests.
great opportunity to talk to
them about the SLP.
Consequently falconers from
Austria, New Zealand,
Australia, Spain, Belgium,
Germany & Brazil,
expressed an interest in
helping look for a school in
their home country with a view
to becoming part of the SLP in
the future.
Falconers from many
nations attended. It was a
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Mongolian School
Link School
Mongolian School
Link School
Adaatsag
Portchester Community School UK
Darkhan
St Patrick's School
UK
Airag
St Martinus School
Netherlands
Galshar
San Benedittu Boys School
Malta
Bayan
Deighton Primary school
UK
Gurvansaikhan
Herringthorpe Junior School
UK
Bayan Unjuul
Rockland school
USA
Ikhkhet
Chicargo Mongolian School
USA
Bayandelger
Maximillian Hell School
Slovakia
Khalzan
Zayed Kazakh International School Mongolia
Bayankhutag
English School Mongolia
Mongolia
Munkhkhaan
Al Rehab School for Girls
UAE
Bayanmunkh
Bay Primary School
South Africa
Saintsagaan
Frederick School
USA
Bayantsagaan
Al Gharbiya School for Boys
UAE
Sukhbataar
Al Muttahida School for Girls
UAE
Buren
Golf Middle School
USA
Tuvshinshiree
Lyngford Park Primary School
UK
Uulbayan
Washington Irving School
USA
The International Falconry Youth Summer Camp
The International Falconry Youth Summer Camp in Slovakia is organized by Maximilian Hell school, situated in the
small town of Stiavnicke Bane. This school teaches falconry as a compulsory part of their curriculum. International
falconry activities from this small school in central Slovakia are covered by the project name FALCEDU
(www.falcedu.com).
The project is spearheaded by Mr. Pavel Michal , experienced falconer and school principal. He has successfully
organized falconry summer camps for local children and budding falconers for the last six years.
Pavel Michal and his pupils attended the International Festival of Falconry in Abu Dhabi during December 2014.
This rich falconry experience and its great spirit of unity gave him the inspiration to make the usual falconry summer
camp an international one.
All attending children will be given the opportunity to learn and work with various raptors. Hawks, falcons and eagles
are housed on the school site. Practical sessions will be delivered daily along with leisure activities, presentations
and short trips to local landmarks and museums close by.
Maximilian Hell school and the town of Stiavnicke Bane will be honored to host children from all around the world to
their falconry camp this summer.
All services will be provided with pride and in a professional manner by school employees, fully qualified falconers
and volunteers dedicated to the FALCEDU project.
Dates : Monday 10th August—Wednesday 19th August 2015
Age : 10-15yrs old
Capacity: 40 students
For further information see www.falconrycamp.com
Contact : falceduslovakia@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/falconryyouthcamp?
We are looking for schools to join the links
programme in September 2015
Well done to everyone involved in the School Links Programme.
It’s great to see such enthusiastic students & staff.
A special thank you to
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi for their continued support.
Ahmed Alhammadi, Fatheya Al Ahmadi & Paul Lowe from Abu
Dhabi Education Council.
Adrian Lombard, Tula Stapert & Lawrence Formosa of IAF for
introducing & delivering the School Links Programme to students
in their home countries.
For further information
Contact :
Nicola Dixon
Sara Ichinkhorloo
School Links Project manager
School Links Mongolia
nicola@falcons.co.uk
sarangerel@wscc.org.mn
International Wildlife Consultants
Wildlife, Science & Conservation
Centre Mongolia
Craig Hendee for his continued hard work, enthusiasm and
dedication.
Members of Yorkshire Hawking Club, Northern Ireland Raptor
Study Group & Bob Dalton for visiting UK schools with their
falcons.
Maros Karabinos for his input and support
Christian Habich for advertising the programme and introducing
Austrian schools.