Global Birdfair at Rutland Water attracts thousands of visitors

Thousands of twitchers flocked to a global event celebrating our feathered friends.

Global Birdfair, a three-day festival, took place at Lyndon Top on the shores of Rutland Water from Friday until Sunday.

There was a range of lectures covering local, national and global wildlife themes and given by all manner of experts including regular birdfair speaker Simon King, a broadcaster and naturalist.

Stands selling everything from birding holidays across the globe to artwork featuring birds were on display, while visitors could also trial the latest cameras and binoculars including a pair that at the touch of a button could identify the bird you were looking at.

Birds themselves even made an appearance with the British Trust for Ornithology hosting a bird-ringing demonstration, with volunteers safely catching a range of birds from around the site and showing onlookers the importance of bird ringing.

Meanwhile, red kites and even Rutland Water’s beloved ospreys were seen soaring over the Gannetry tent where visitors were tucking into food and drink from one of the stalls.