Did you know that the world’s largest birdwatching event is scheduled for this weekend? The British Birdwatching Fair, known to friends simply as the Birdfair, is held on the nature reserve at Rutland Water (a RAMSAR and Special Protection Area natch) and hosts about 20,000 visitors in a 3-day span. This event has a substantial conservation component; since their first project “Stop the Massacre Campaign” in 1989 to the current day, more than £2,000,000 has been raised to help save birds and their habitats in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. No wonder birders and exhibitors flock (pardon the pun) from around the world to take part. Will you be attending the British Birdfair this weekend? If not, what will you be doing and will you be watching birds? Share you plans in the comments below!

Charlie will be holding court at the Birdfair, at least for a day. Seek him out on Friday! Alas, the rest of us will be idling in the Empire State. Corey will be tearing it up donwstate whilst I might seek out Caspian Terns and the like on Lake Ontario or Skaneateles upstate.

Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!


Keep your eyes to the skies for wild parrots like this Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Charlie saw in Sydney

Written by Mike
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.