Your invitation to explore

Step onto the shores of Rutland Water and find yourself in a festival village alive with possibility. Across sweeping grounds, a world of discovery unfolds.

On lecture stages, a programme of thought-provoking voices awaits. Expect compelling stories of conservation and adventure as leading figures share their insights. From rewilding and wildlife crime to garden birds and Finland’s elusive forest predators, each talk invites you to see the bigger picture – and your place within it.

This year’s Global Birdfair is headlined by some of the UK’s most inspiring wildlife voices. Mike Dilger brings his trademark energy as a broadcaster and naturalist, while wildlife filmmaker Simon King captivates with stories from across the globe. David Lindo, “The Urban Birder”, champions reconnecting city-dwellers with nature and BBC Springwatch presenters Megan McCubbin and Jack Baddams will share behind-the-scenes insights into the iconic programme.

In the light-filled marquees, the biggest names in optics – Swarovski, Leica, ZEISS and Nikon – present their latest innovations. Hold binoculars crafted to the highest precision, speak with experts, and experience how technology is transforming the way we see the natural world.

The travel marquees are a passport to wild places. Here, eco-tourism operators and field guides from every corner of the globe share stories of snow geese rising from Alaskan tundra, toucans flashing through Costa Rica’s rainforests, and the thunder of cranes over Zambia. Whether you’re planning a journey or simply dreaming, their passion for protecting these landscapes is infectious.

Creativity runs through the fair like a river. In the Puffin Art Marquee, artists work live as exhibitions of photography and illustration celebrate the wild in all its forms. The Turnstone Authors’ Corner hosts readings and conversations with leading nature writers – each piece a reminder of the deep emotional connection between people and the wild.

For younger explorers, hands-on workshops and the Young Conservationists Hub spark curiosity and care, while food, drink and music carry visitors into the evening air. Stay to camp or glamp beneath the wide Rutland skies and wake to birdsong – a perfect end to a day of exploration.

At Global Birdfair, there is no rush – only a gentle invitation to slow down, look closer, and reconnect.

Rooted in Rutland

For over 35 years, Global Birdfair has been more than an event. It’s a catalyst for conservation, a showcase of creativity, and a testament to the power of people working together for nature. Amid rolling countryside and the calls of waterbirds, the festival continues its mission: bringing the world together to learn, act, and inspire change.

Since its beginnings in 1989 as the British Birdwatching Fair, it has been held in Rutland, with organisers and volunteers deeply woven into the local fabric. Their vision transformed a small regional gathering into a landmark of international renown, now often called “the Glastonbury of birdwatching.”

Rutland Water, England’s largest reservoir, provides a fittingly wild and wonderful backdrop. This internationally important haven for wildlife is home to a pioneering osprey reintroduction project that has successfully restored these iconic fish-eating raptors to central England’s skies after a century away. The reservoir also attracts vast flocks of wildfowl and serves as a vital stopover for migrating birds. This landscape reflects the fair’s ethos: a place where people and wildlife thrive together.

Even after a pandemic pause, the fair returned stronger in 2022, relaunching as Global Birdfair at Lyndon Top. With its sweeping views across the reservoir, the site perfectly mirrors the scale and ambition of the event.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of organisers and volunteers pour their energy and expertise into every detail, from the seamless logistics of marquees and lecture stages to the thoughtful curation of talks and exhibitors. Their commitment ensures that Global Birdfair remains a place where ideas flourish, partnerships form, and the world unites for nature.

A festival with purpose

Every ticket to Global Birdfair helps fund vital conservation work. This year’s proceeds support the Antipodean Albatross – a majestic seabird that glides across the southern Pacific. The project backs women-led initiatives to produce ‘Tori lines’, simple yet ingenious bird-scaring devices that save countless seabirds from becoming bycatch. It’s a powerful reminder that change begins not only in distant oceans but also in the shared actions of people coming together.

For those inspired to continue supporting bird conservation, the RSPB is the UK’s largest nature charity, working year-round to protect species and restore habitats. Help to protect our most vulnerable wildlife and the precious habitats they call home by becoming a member, making a donation, volunteering, or creating bird-friendly spaces at home. Every contribution helps secure a future where wildlife can thrive.