Think about Plastic
Reports
On Tuesday 24 June 2025 “Think about Plastic” held an awareness raising event at the Lagg Distillery. Think about Plastic is a community-led organisation on the Isle of Arran, tackling plastic pollution at its source by supporting better choices around use, re-use, and recycling.
Around the same time, Saturday 21 June, these photographs were taken of a Whimbrel on the shore at Kildonan that epitomises the concern. Whimbrel featured in a recent Arran Bird Note. It is widespread member of the curlew family migrating huge distances between wintering grounds in West Africa and breeding grounds in the sub-arctic: a return trip with various feeding stop-offs, including Arran. Most Arran records are on the trip north between mid-April and the end of May. This bird was late, or maybe it was returning early. The legs entangled with discarded fishing line impeded its ability to move and forage.
That was a very sad sight. Thoughtless human behaviour somewhere on its travels was impacting on the quality of this bird’s life and hastening its demise. Part of its annual journey, the part from West Africa to Arran, is about 2,500 miles. Nature has designed this bird over eons to have the physical ability and mental attributes to make such a journey, and it has been stymied by human selfish behaviour. There was nothing that safely and practically could be done for the bird. It could not be caught. A few days later it was gone whether north or south is not known.
We all have a role to play in trying to reduce plastic pollution. Think About Plastic (TAP helps individuals, schools, businesses, and organisations make practical changes that reduce plastic, protect marine life, and keep our island clean. From data-driven beach cleans to business accreditation and education, TAP leads a joined-up local response to a global problem. More information here