“My recent visit to the Falklands confirmed everything I had ever read about these wonderful islands set deep down in the Atlantic Ocean, they are simply wonderful! A naturalists dream, an amazing range of wildlife so tame and approachable whether it be a two-ton Elephant seal, a tiny endemic Cobb’s Wren or a rookery of Penguins. The Falkland Islands has to be one of the top global wildlife destinations and one everyone must visit before they die!“ - Tim Appleton MBE
Birdfair - Destination Hotspots
Image: www.falklandislands.com
If you're in the midst of planning your day(s) for this year's Birdfair then hopefully we've caught you at a opportune moment. Here at Birding 24/7 towers we have put together a quick list of destinations exhibiting this year we think you should try and visit if you can.
The Falkland Islands, Australia’s Northern Territory and St Helena - all offer very different bird and wildlife viewing opportunities and birding specialists from each of these fabulous, far-flung hotspots will be flying in to offer their expertise on their respective stands.
The Falkland Islands.
Home to some 750,000 penguins, the Falkland Islands boast over 200 listed avian species. Visitors to Birdfair should wing their way to Stand 5 (Marquee 5) to meet experts, Martin and Jane Beaton from the archipelago’s Weddell Island and hear about the endless birdwatching possibilities afforded by a visit to the remote Overseas Territory. Join the experts on stand for a traditional Falklands ‘smoko’ on Saturday at 3pm. You'll be able to pick their brains about some of the most enviable bird watching moments including the endemic Cobb’s Wren and the majestic Black-browed Albatross while savouring delicious home cooked treats including scones and local diddle-dee berry jam.
www.falklandsislands.com
www.facebook.com/naturesbestkeptsecret
www.twitter.com/FITBTourism
Australia’s Northern Territory.
Boasting almost half of all bird species in Australia, the Northern Territory is a year round birding nirvana. Top Northern Territory twitchers, Chris Watson and Mick Jerram will be returning to the show for a second year and will be on Stand 3&4 (Marquee 3), along with nature guide and bird enthusiast, Mike Jarvis. A seven year resident of Alice Springs, Chris writes the award winning Birds Central blog, and compiles the national twitching reports in Australian Birdlife. Earlier this year, Chris was lucky enough to identify a rare Forest Wagtail in Alice Springs – the first time the species has been spotted on mainland Australia. Read about it here. Meanwhile Mick has lived in Australia’s Northern Territory for 26 years and conducted tours and run a tour company (Gecko Canoeing and Trekking – NT Immersions) for 13. His specialty is exploring the riverine areas of this vast region, although he spends a lot of time bushwalking and 4 wheel driving in the pursuit of enjoyment and wildlife observations. They will be on hand to enlighten visitors on the region’s natural highlights, from endemic species not found anywhere else in the world such as the White-throated Grasswren and the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, to the abundant rarities such as Gouldian finch and rainbow pitta.
www.australiasoutback.co.uk
www.facebook.com/australiasoutbacknorthernterritoryUK
www.twitter.com/AusOutbackNT_UK
St Helena.
The avian delights of St Helena and two other UK Overseas Territories, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, can also be discovered at the show, on Stand 19 (Marquee 3). The three diverse islands each offer amazing ecosystems and encounters; from the lava flows and seabird colonies of Ascension to the delicate endemic Wirebird of St Helena and the penguins of Tristan da Cunha’s remote shores. Hot birding news for St Helena is that the Allen's Gallinule was identified at Ruperts Bay on the 18th July. The first confirmed record of this bird was in 1938 and has been recorded as an occasional or accidental visitor since. This is only the fifth record of the bird in 12 years.
www.sthelenatourism.com
www.sthelenawirebird.com.
Show highlights to pop in your calendar:
Birdfair’s very own Tim Appleton MBE recently visited the Falklands and commented: “My recent visit to the Falklands confirmed everything I had ever read about these wonderful islands set deep down in the Atlantic Ocean, they are simply wonderful! A naturalists dream, an amazing range of wildlife so tame and approachable whether it be a two-ton Elephant seal, a tiny endemic Cobb’s Wren or a rookery of Penguins. The Falkland Islands has to be one of the top global wildlife destinations and one everyone must visit before they die!“
For more info on Birdfair, visit their website at www.birdfair.org.uk
NEXT ARTICLE: First Look: Country Innovations New Rover Jacket
The Falkland Islands, Australia’s Northern Territory and St Helena - all offer very different bird and wildlife viewing opportunities and birding specialists from each of these fabulous, far-flung hotspots will be flying in to offer their expertise on their respective stands.
The Falkland Islands.
Home to some 750,000 penguins, the Falkland Islands boast over 200 listed avian species. Visitors to Birdfair should wing their way to Stand 5 (Marquee 5) to meet experts, Martin and Jane Beaton from the archipelago’s Weddell Island and hear about the endless birdwatching possibilities afforded by a visit to the remote Overseas Territory. Join the experts on stand for a traditional Falklands ‘smoko’ on Saturday at 3pm. You'll be able to pick their brains about some of the most enviable bird watching moments including the endemic Cobb’s Wren and the majestic Black-browed Albatross while savouring delicious home cooked treats including scones and local diddle-dee berry jam.
www.falklandsislands.com
www.facebook.com/naturesbestkeptsecret
www.twitter.com/FITBTourism
Australia’s Northern Territory.
Boasting almost half of all bird species in Australia, the Northern Territory is a year round birding nirvana. Top Northern Territory twitchers, Chris Watson and Mick Jerram will be returning to the show for a second year and will be on Stand 3&4 (Marquee 3), along with nature guide and bird enthusiast, Mike Jarvis. A seven year resident of Alice Springs, Chris writes the award winning Birds Central blog, and compiles the national twitching reports in Australian Birdlife. Earlier this year, Chris was lucky enough to identify a rare Forest Wagtail in Alice Springs – the first time the species has been spotted on mainland Australia. Read about it here. Meanwhile Mick has lived in Australia’s Northern Territory for 26 years and conducted tours and run a tour company (Gecko Canoeing and Trekking – NT Immersions) for 13. His specialty is exploring the riverine areas of this vast region, although he spends a lot of time bushwalking and 4 wheel driving in the pursuit of enjoyment and wildlife observations. They will be on hand to enlighten visitors on the region’s natural highlights, from endemic species not found anywhere else in the world such as the White-throated Grasswren and the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, to the abundant rarities such as Gouldian finch and rainbow pitta.
www.australiasoutback.co.uk
www.facebook.com/australiasoutbacknorthernterritoryUK
www.twitter.com/AusOutbackNT_UK
St Helena.
The avian delights of St Helena and two other UK Overseas Territories, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, can also be discovered at the show, on Stand 19 (Marquee 3). The three diverse islands each offer amazing ecosystems and encounters; from the lava flows and seabird colonies of Ascension to the delicate endemic Wirebird of St Helena and the penguins of Tristan da Cunha’s remote shores. Hot birding news for St Helena is that the Allen's Gallinule was identified at Ruperts Bay on the 18th July. The first confirmed record of this bird was in 1938 and has been recorded as an occasional or accidental visitor since. This is only the fifth record of the bird in 12 years.
www.sthelenatourism.com
www.sthelenawirebird.com.
Show highlights to pop in your calendar:
- ‘Boom and Bust: Desert birding in the Red Centre’, talk by Chris Watson of the Northern Territory: Friday 16 August from 2-2.20 pm, Lecture Marquee 1
- ‘The Falkland Islands’, talk by Martin Beaton: Saturday 17 August from 11-11.20am, Lecture Marquee 1.
- ‘Top birding in Top End habitats’, talk by Mike Jarvis of the Northern Territory: Saturday 17 August from 2-2.20 pm, Lecture Marquee 1
- Traditional Falkland Islands ‘smoko’: Saturday 17 August at 3pm. Chat about some of the most enviable bird watching moments including the endemic Cobb’s Wren and the majestic black-browed albatross while savouring delicious home cooked treats including scones and local diddle-dee berry jam. Stand 5, Marquee 3.
- ‘Birding in the heart of Australia’s Savannah’, talk by Mick Jerram of the Northern Territory: Sunday 18 August from 2-2.20 pm, Lecture Marquee 1
Birdfair’s very own Tim Appleton MBE recently visited the Falklands and commented: “My recent visit to the Falklands confirmed everything I had ever read about these wonderful islands set deep down in the Atlantic Ocean, they are simply wonderful! A naturalists dream, an amazing range of wildlife so tame and approachable whether it be a two-ton Elephant seal, a tiny endemic Cobb’s Wren or a rookery of Penguins. The Falkland Islands has to be one of the top global wildlife destinations and one everyone must visit before they die!“
For more info on Birdfair, visit their website at www.birdfair.org.uk
NEXT ARTICLE: First Look: Country Innovations New Rover Jacket