LOB (BirdLife in Latvia) Go birdwatching with BirdLife in Latvia! Zoom In

Go birdwatching with BirdLife in Latvia!

02-09-2009

LOB (BirdLife in Latvia) has established 'Motacilla', a new company aimed at promoting and developing birdwatching tourism in Latvia. The name comes from Motacilla alba, the scientific name for Pied Wagtail, the national Latvian bird and symbol of LOB. The company will also sell bird-related products and in the future will organise educational trips and conferences. 

As part of LOB, the income from 'Motacilla's’ activities will fund research and bird protection activities in Latvia. 
Ilze Vilskerste, Director of 'Motacilla', explains that she thought about establishing such a company during the BirdLife World Conference she attended in Buenos Aires last year, where she was impressed by the projects of the Argentine ‘Seriema Nature Tours’. “It is amazing to see how new and great ideas start when there is the opportunity to exchange experiences with similar organisations engaged in the same field of work”, she commented.

"With a joint effort we are trying to turn the public’s attention to Latvia’s incredible birds and nature" —Ilze Vilskerste, Director of 'Motacilla'

The team working for 'Motacilla' comprises experienced ornithologists and birdwatchers, who are involved in different projects in Latvia. “With a joint effort we are trying to turn the public’s attention to Latvia’s incredible birds and nature,” continued Ms Vilskerste.
Foreign tourists interested in nature and birdwatching will find that Motacilla’s programme can be adapted to their needs, allowing them to discover interesting parts of the country.  

After the first birdwatching tour organised by the new born 'Motacilla', Jarmo Uimonen , a Finnish tourist commented: “Thank you for an excellent and well planned tour in Latvia! I have heard only praise and positive feedback, and on behalf of the group I can say that our stay in Latvia was very successful and certainly something to remember. Everything went smoothly and even the weather was on our side. In fact, we are already planning to come back next year”.

Visit the website (also available in English): www.motacilla.lv

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