TWO birders are among the luminaries whose names are on the programme for the 2026 Islay Book Festival.
They are Mya-Rose Craig whose book, Birdgirl, published in 2023, won plenty of plaudits for its thoughtful and often touching exploration of birdwatching, conservation, racism and her mother's struggles with a debilitating illness.
As well as giving a talk, Mya-Rose will also be leading a family nature-watching event at Loch Gruinart.
The other frontline birder is Peter Roberts who has been an enthusiast since childhood in London, but after travelling 110 countries of the world, is now settled on Islay.
His career has included spells as assistant warden at Fair Isle bird observatory and as warden of Bardsey bird observatory, plus a year managing the Aldabra Research Station in the Indian Ocean.
He has an MSc in woodland invertebrate ecology and has published research on various subjects including the feeding ecology of fruit bats, bird migration and the ecology of seabirds and Choughs.
In recent months. he has been putting the finishing touches to a book on the birds of Islay and Jura though it is not known if this will be published in time for the book festival.
In November, he will be leading the latest of his many birding tours to one of his favourite countries, Tanzania.
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| Mya-Rose Craig - author of Birdgirl |
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| Peter Roberts - Islay is where he has made his home |
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