british birdwatching fair at rutland -aug 15-17

[loony]

hi birders! anyone going to the birdfair at rutland this year? i hope to go on the friday . if you`ve never been then do go ---its great! sue

[Goatboy]

I'm going on the Friday as well. It's my first time. What sort of things are there?

[oxycera]

everything, it's brilliant

[poschiavanus]

Originally Posted by oxycera

everything, it's brilliant

I've been a couple of times. Here are a few tips from my experience.

DO get there early, and plan what you want to do. Otherwise you will be tearing round the stalls at the end of the day. This is particularly important if you want to go to some of the talks. Last year I missed a couple I had fancied hearing. Its also worth learning the geography: the talk tents are placed quite discretely. It's well worth looking at the official website before you set off.

DON'T expect that you'll have any time to look at birds.

DO expect to bump into people you know. [This scuppers the first point, and explains much of the second].

DO expect to spend lots of money on books/holidays/artwork/optics (delete any not applicable). You can always kid yourself that you've saved the entrance fee with all the bargains you've bought (well I do anyway).

DO have fun!

Maybe see you there,

poschiavanus

[loony]

hi , guys . i usually go round the marquees looking at the stalls i`m interested in and try to fit in one or two events . this year as i had a cancer op in march i`ve decided to go to more of the events in the events marquee instesd of hunting round all the marquees so wont do so much walking .i will go and see a few of the stalls i`m interested in and do some birding in the birdwatching centre. i`ll be on my own this year but doesnt bother me . the birdfair is great fun!

[Goatboy]

Good advice poschiavanus. I'll take my wallet along

[leifus]

i ended up buying new binoculars when i went last year - its so good. We went round the fair in the morning then went and sat in a hide for two hours watching the ospreys come and go - well worth going to have a look at those if you have time.

[Morph]

We went last year too, but was a little disapointed in that there was acres and acres of huge marques for of companies trying to sell exotic trips to far flung places, but two tiny tents for seminars and talks. we went wishing to hear Simon King plus some others but had no chance as the ticket allocation was over subscribed. A great shame we should have just donated our fuel costs and entrance fee to the charity.