A folk singer who uses music to raise awareness of endangered species is to perform on the island next Friday.

Dan Gribbin will play at a family night hosted by the Bermuda Zoological Society at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ).

The singer/songwriter is known for his entertaining tunes, which pay homage to endangered birds and wildlife including the Bermuda skink.

"I've been visiting the Bermuda Aquarium for over 40 years," said the Daytona Beach, Florida resident, "so I greatly appreciate the opportunity to develop materials to be used for education and entertainment of young people at the Aquarium & Zoo.

"I've written many songs about birds, including the one I'll be debuting at BAMZ, The Only Cattle Egret in Bermuda. Another favourite, entitled We're Sandhill Cranes, begins: 'We are sandhill cranes, with half-filled brains, I'm a flighty kind of guy and she's a ditsy dame'. I have a song about a roseate spoonbill who doesn't like the shape of her beak that I will also share at the singsong."

According to a BAMZ spokesperson, Mr. Gribbin first visited Bermuda in the summer of 1963. Then 18, he worked at the US Naval Air Station in St. David's (now Southside), pumping petrol.

"He eventually earned his PhD in literature at the University of North Carolina and became a college professor, returning to Bermuda in the late 1970s to write articles for stamp collecting magazines," the spokesperson continued.

"In 2001, he moved to Florida to pursue his music. He has entertained crowds at numerous music festivals, including the Florida Folk Festival, and has released two albums, Talkin' to the Birds and Looked for You.

'Animal Sing-Song', will be held on the Discovery Cove Lawn at BAMZ between 5.30 and 7 p.m. June 6. The event is free. Families are invited to bring a picnic supper however the organisers ask that no alcoholic beverages be brought, as the event is for children.

For more information telephone 293-2727 ext. 116, or send an e-mail, edofficer.bzsgov.bm.