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Immediate
Release …. 3 August 2007
BIRDFAIR
2007 – WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!
Thousands
are set to flock to the biggest and most varied bird and wildlife event in
the world in August – and will help to save some of the world’s most
endangered birds in the process.
Birdfair 2007 takes place on Friday 17 – Sunday 19 August at the Anglian
Water Birdwatching Centre on the Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water,
9am-5.30pm daily. Birdfair is
jointly organised by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and the
RSPB and has something for everyone, with hundreds of stands offering the
latest products from binoculars to books to bird food and clothing to
country crafts and much more.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and children go free.
After entry all entertainment is free, including lectures, quizzes
and games hosted by TV celebrities and workshops.
Famous visitors this year include Bill Oddie, Chris Packham, and
Simon King.
This
year, Birdfair is supporting a new
initiative to save the world’s critically endangered birds during 2007
and 2008. There are currently 189
bird species on the brink of extinction and some have global populations
below 50. All money raised will be used to support the 'species guardians' and 'species
champions' initiative, with the aim of reducing the ‘critically
endangered’ list and providing a more secure future for birds all over
the world. Funds raised from
this year’s show will help four flagship species; the Belding’s
Yellowthroat (
Mexico
), the Bengal Florican (
Cambodia
), the Restinga Antwren (
Brazil
), and the
Djibouti
Francolin.
'Species Guardians' are individuals or institutions committed to doing
everything they can to protect ‘their’ species.
'Species Champions' will be individuals, companies or institutions
willing to make a regular donation to provide funds needed by the 'Species
Guardians'.
Tim Appleton
, of the
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and Birdfair co-organiser, said:
“Birdfair is a day out for
all the family. It is your chance to help wildlife on a global scale. Come
and support conservation, meet the celebrities, and also take time to
enjoy
Rutland
’s breeding ospreys.”
The RSPB’s Martin Davies, Birdfair co-organiser, said: “Extinction is for ever and nearly 200 bird species are already on the
verge of it. By supporting this year’s Birdfair, everyone can help make
a difference for these birds all around the world, and have a lot of fun
at the same time. For anyone interested in the countryside there is only
one place to be on the weekend before the August Bank Holiday – Birdfair
at
Rutland
Water!”
For further information, please contact:
Anna
Guthrie
,
senior press officer, The Wildlife Trusts, tel: 01636 670075; 07887
754659; aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org
Gemma
Rogers
, RSPB press office, 01767 680551; Mobile:
07967 818558
Martin
Davies, RSPB International Division and
Birdfair Co-organiser
,
01767
680551;
Mobile
07786 514004
Tim Appleton
, Reserve
Manager,
Rutland
Water Nature Reserve, Leicestershire and
Rutland
Wildlife Trust, 01572 770651.
British Birdwatching Fair Office, 01572 771079
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