In my last blog post, I gave my top five recommendations for things to see and do at Birdfair – in this post, I’d like to offer some practical advice to help you get the most out of your experience.
1 Check the weather
If it rains, the Birdfair site can get rather wet and muddy underfoot. And in full sunshine, the marquees are hot. I recommend checking the forecast before you come, and make sure you’re dressed for comfort, whatever the weather.
2 Take breaks
With so much to see and do at Birdfair, it can be tempting to just keep going till you get foot-weary and then drop, but you’ll enjoy your day a lot more if you take regular breaks. There are lots of food and drink outlets where a short pause will leave you feeling recharged and ready for more.
3 Take a small day pack
As you explore the Birdfair, you’ll pick up lots of leaflets and brochures – it’s a good idea to make sure you can stash them all on your back.
4 Arrange a meeting place
If you have friends going, arrange somewhere to meet up before you go. The food and drink area is a good place. With 15,000 people attending the Birdfair every day, it can be easy to miss people..and your lift.
5 Pick your arrival time
If you’re driving to the Birdfair, be aware that 08:30–10.30am and 1600– 1730 are the peak arrival and departure times for those travelling by car. If you want to avoid sitting in a queue of traffic, then plan to arrive outside of those times. Do try and liftshare, or, even better, make use of the free Birdfair bus from Oakham Station. Check the Birdfair website for more information to help you plan your journey and find the green options.
6 Keep hydrated
It can be hot and sticky at Birdfair, so having plenty of water in your pack is essential.
7 Need a breather? Go birdwatching
Rutland Water has hides within walking distance of the Birdfair site. An hour away from the hurly-burly can work wonders on your energy levels, and, at this time of year, you might get to see some interesting passage waders coming through, or a flyover hobby.
8 Listen out for the tannoy announcements
‘Osprey seen overhead!’ With so many birders in one place, if anything remarkable flies over the site, it will most certainly be seen. The tannoy announcements will keep you informed about any interesting sightings.
9 Say hello to the BTO
The BTO will be ringing birds all weekend – if something unusual makes its way into the nets, you’ll get to hear about it on the tannoy. There is still a real thrill from seeing birds in the hand, so make sure to wander along to find out how one of the oldest bird tracking techniques is still a vital conservation tool.
10 Don’t just go for the birds
Yes, it’s Birdfair, but there’ll be lots of other wildlife organisations on site, from Plantlife and Buglife, to the Wildlife Trusts and the British Arachnological Society.
However you choose to spend your time at Birdfair, I hope you have a brilliant experience.
Stuart Housden
PS. If you missed any of my previous blog posts about Birdfair, you can find them here.
The 2017 Birdfair is on 18–20 August, at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in Oakham. For more information, and to book tickets, please visit the Birdfair website.