An inspiring time at the British Birdfair 2015
I was down at the British Birdfair for the best part of 2 ½ days, and as ever enjoyed it immensely. Partly it’s about meeting people, old friends of course, but also making new contacts and getting inspired! Equally it’s about being available to talk to members and supporters, or to listen to those who feel a bit disgruntled.
And it was great to see the buzz around the RSPB stand. This year we gave space to some of the Cyprus Sovereign Base Police who are trying to combat the illegal killing of migrant birds that is so widespread in the base areas. There does seem at last to be a renewed enthusiasm to do something about this long standing problem.
Cyprus Sovereign Base Police are trying to combat the illegal killing of migrant birds (photo by RSPB rspb-images.com)
On Friday I attended the Rare Bird Club lunch and met Patricia Zurita, the new Birdlife CEO. She is a dynamic and engaging person and just what the global partnership needs. Friday evening saw me host the RSPB birders event, and this year we had a competition, in the form of four keen and well known characters giving a ‘mini’ lecture competing for the audiences support for their best British birding day.
Bill Oddie, Lucy McRobert, Adam Rowlands (of Minsmere and British Birds Rarities Committee fame), and Ian Wallace, famous veteran Birdwatcher, author and artist, all gave the audience 12 minutes setting out their best day. All were great, all thought provoking, but it was the kilted ‘Dim’ Wallace who stole the show with his panache, style and storytelling.
During the course of the Fair I met lots of quite well known people, had my photo taken with Henry the Hen Harrier, but of greatest interest was the feedback from our supporters, members and the interested public.
Female hen harrier (photo by Andy Hay rspb-images.com)
What did they tell me? Overwhelmingly people were disgusted at the illegal persecution of raptors and exhibited a level of anger about this I can seldom remember. Most were understanding of our position, and respected our desire to see driven grouse shooting better regulated rather than banned. But some clearly feel the time has come for a fresh approach and were delightfully clear in their views. This is new in my experience.
A good number of people were anxious about what is happening to migrant birds in Europe, but also on the wintering grounds in Africa. It was good to re-assure them of the new work we are doing called ‘Birds without Borders’. This is going to be one of the main issues we have to tackle in the years ahead and it is a huge challenge that needs big thinking, novel partnerships spanning many countries, and some serious money to solve.
Wood warbler (photo by Andy Hay rspb-images.com)
And then some people had reflections on the Birdfair itself which I will feed back. Key amongst them was the suggestion we need to broaden the interest to reflect the fact that many NGOs who work on things other than birds now come, so ‘Bird fair’ should perhaps become more of a Birds and Nature celebration. And those who have attended our equivalent fair in Scotland suggested that we were taking the lead in terms of the offer for families. But overwhelmingly everyone had a great time in the sunshine!
Finally I was struck how much investment so many countries from Africa, Asia, South America and Southern Europe put into the fair. Regional and National Governments had sponsored impressive stands to showcase their wildlife and landscape wonders. All power to them, but where was Visit Scotland? I bet they would have been at a golf convention!