Birdfair at Rutland Water one of county's 'biggest secrets'
Some 75 countries took part in this year’s Birdfair at Rutland Water, which organisers said was one of the best ever.
The annual event, which contributes just under £1-million to the Rutland economy, was a huge success with record crowds over the weekend.
Birdfair founder and co-organiser Tim Appleton, who has run the event since 1989, said: “It was remarkably successful.
“From day one when we began setting up the weather was just fantastic.
“This is absolutely the best weather we’ve had in 30 years.”
Tim said that while attendance figures still had to be finalised, they were expecting record numbers for visitors to the show on Friday and Saturday.
“We are expecting to be well in excess of 24,000 visitors over the three days the show was on,” he said.
Tim said 75 countries had participated at this year’s event including ones from South America, Africa, Europe and Asia.
“We even had Christmas Island and Rwanda there,” he said.
“The atmosphere and spirit of the Birdfair is second to none.”
Activities at the event, which ran from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August19 included talks, quizzes and debates with Chris Packham, Martin Hughes Games, Nick Baker, Mark Carwardine, Mike Dilger, David Lindo, Simon King and other wildlife experts.
There were also hundreds of stalls selling wildlife watching equipment, art, holidays, and more; local food producers selling delicious treats; and
opportunities to take a walk or cruise around Rutland Water to watch the majestic ospreys catching fish.
Tim said early feedback from the event had been “fantastic” and thanked everyone involved for putting it together.
“The feedback was really positive and one just needs to look at social media to see all of the positive comments,” he said.
“We had 372 volunteers working for us this year.
“They were from around the country and the world and are hard at work taking everything down.
“It takes a month to set up so it’s a major event but is still one of Rutland’s biggest secrets.”
Each year, proceeds from Birdfair’s ticket sales are donated to international conservation work through BirdLife International, which represents
wildlife charities around the world.
Last year’s event raised an incredible £350,000 for international conservation.
Proceeds from this year’s Birdfair will support the creation of Argentina’s largest national park, in the process providing a refuge for nearly a million flamingos and shorebirds.