RUTLAND BIRDFAIR 2013

Another year has passed and another Birdfair comes around – The 25th Rutland Birdfair was held this past weekend (16th – 18th August 2013) and every year seems to grow from strength to strength. This years fair seemed a bigger event than ever and was described as the "Birders Glastonbury" !!  This year the Birdfair was supporting Birdlife International's "Flyways Programme", raising funds to support conservation efforts to protect breeding birds of the North American prairies and grasslands.

The usual format of hundreds of stands covering the whole spectrum of the Birding & Birdwatching Industry – Holidays; Optics; Camera Gear; Conservation; Bird Food; Bird Art; Bird Ringing with BTO; Books and Information Services. Numerous talks and lectures were held in the Events Marquee during the four days, speakers included Simon King; Dr Rob Lambert; Nick Baker and Martin Garner from Birding Frontiers to name a few. Many projects for the younger budding birders and wildlife enthusiasts to get involved with, including Pond Dipping and Insect Sweeping in nearby fields. Great stuff for the youngsters.

A great day out and a chance to meet up with birders from all areas of the country, some of whom I only see at the Birdfair!! Also great to see many birding friends running successful businesses. One such company is Birdtour Asia run by two young Derbyshire Birders (www.birdtourasia.com) offering organised and tailor made birding tours throughout the region. Many chances and opportunities to see some stunning Asian birds.

One of the highlights of the day was a heart stopping moment as the MEGA Alert went off on everyones PAGERS – A Red-billed Tropic Bird had flown past Pendeen in Cornwall during an early morning seawatch !!!!!!!!!!

A few photos follow from our trip on Sunday 18th August 2013.

The main entrance to the site – Tony Davison©

Part of the large Marquee area – Tony Davison©

Early Sunday morning before the crowds arrived – Tony Davison©

The Events Marquee – Tony Davison©

Exhibitor List for Marquee 2 – Tony Davison©

The stand of Birdtour Asia – Tony Davison©

Juvenile Sedge Warbler – BTO Ringing Session – Tony Davison©

Tree Creeper – BTO Ringing Session – Tony Davison©

Butterfly Conservation Stand – Tony Davison©

Poplar Hawkmoth Caterpillar – Butterfly Conservation Stand – Tony Davison©

Above two images – The stunning Privet Hawkmoth Caterpillar – Butterfly Conservation Stand – Tony Davison©

East Midlands Butterfly Conservation Stand – Tony Davison©

The British Dragonfly Society Stand – Tony Davison©

One of the many Wildlife Tour Companies offering a vast range of mouthwatering holidays – I travelled to India with Naturetrek – Tony Davison©

The British Bulgarian Society Stand – Offering a variety of Butterfly Holidays in Bulgaria – I travelled with friends last year with this operator to the Rhodope Mountains and we are travelling with the company again next year to the Rila Mountains – Tony Davison©

One of the many Bird Art stands – Tony Davison©

A busy day in one of the Marquees – Tony Davison©