Slimbridge Festival of Birds

A weekend celebrating birdwatching in all its glory will be held at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, for its first Festival of Birds.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre is hosting a special two-day festival to celebrate birdwatching at its busiest time of year, with special walks, talks and events being held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February 2012 – all included in the normal admission price.

The weekend’s highlights include the chance to meet TV bird expert Simon King when he re-opens the renovated Zeiss Hide, and there’s also the chance to hear ‘The Urban Birder’ David Lindo talk about birdwatching in cities, before he signs copies of his popular book.

Visitors can take part in the great waterbird challenge with expert warden Martin McGill, when he will be sharing the best spots to see birds at Slimbridge in a special morning talk. Slimbridge’s friendly guides will also be on hand in the hides to offer advice throughout the festival.

Organisers promise there will also be stalls selling birdwatching equipment and gifts, talks about conservation projects around the world in the cinema, as well as an opportunity to see wild birds caught for ringing and recording data by working dog Zen.

In the late afternoon visitors to the heated observatory can also take part in Slimbridge’s famous wild bird feeds, where they can see thousands of birds including Bewick’s swans.

Plus, the Festival of Birds will officially open on the evening of Friday 3 February 2012 with the ticketed event An Evening with Mark Carwardine.