Birding the Islands

29/04/2024

Yesterday, on two Birding the Islands tours to two separate and bird-rich Caribbean island destinations, our clients spent time in the company of two of the rarest species on the planet!

In the Lesser Antilles, on the island of Dominica: the Imperial Parrot (the largest Amazona on Earth), and in the Greater Antilles, in the Dominican Republic: the majestic Ridgway's Hawk.

Check out the action shot below of the Ridgway's Hawk making its presence known, and find out how you can join us on one of our epic trips here: https://bit.ly/3GF1oDh

13/03/2024

We've just added a new departure for our popular Endemics of the Guiana Shield tour this October!

Tucked away in the northeast corner of South America lies Guyana - a little-visited but utterly spectacular country! This is a land in which an almost unfathomable 80% is draped in lush primary forest and boasts more than 850 species of birds from a remarkable 70 families! Included within these are 47 highly coveted Guiana Shield endemics - many of which are far easier to see here than in any of the other 5 countries perched atop this ancient craton of the South American plate.

Click here to find out more information: https://bit.ly/3x2CGuw

Tucked away in the northeast corner of South America lies a little-visited but utterly spectacular country. This is a land in which an almost unfathomable 80% is draped in lush primary forest and boasts more than 850 species of birds from a remarkable 70 families! Included within these are 47 highly...

18/02/2024

It's official! Birding the Islands is bringing a taste of the Caribbean back to Global Birdfair at its new home at Lyndon Top in Rutland from 12-14 July 2024. Will we see you there? Come along and say hi!!

🦆Global Birdfair becomes home to many wonderful organisations who support conservation in many ways
🌳Join in this year’s Festival of Nature and YOU can support this year’s conservation project too with .international
🧡Creating Brighter Futures
🇪🇬Building the new with

Tickets available now!
🎟️https://gbf.yourticketpurchase.com/p/globalbirdfair

🌱New for 2024 - Young Conservationists Hub

🚐Caravan, Motorhome & camping at
🏕️Glamping available on site with
🚌 Shuttle Bus from Oakham Station
🚙Free Parking
🅿️Accessible parking available for Blue Badge holders
♿️ Mobility Scooter & wheelchair hire available
🗓️ 12, 13 & 15 July 2024, Rutland U.K.
⏰ Gates open 9am - marquees close 5:30pm
🥙 Catering & events open til 9pm Friday & Saturday
👉More details on our website link in bio 🔝
😀www.globalbirdfair.org

💚Bringing the world of nature home to Rutland



.world .art .lodge.reserve

27/01/2024

Have you heard that Asa Wright Nature Centre has reopened and has undergone stunning refurbishments?

We've got a few spaces available on our Sweet, Sweet T&T tour to the stunning twin island nation of Trinidad & Tobago in May, which includes a 3-night stay at this birder's paradise!

To find out more about this upcoming departure click here: https://bit.ly/47Sif04

Trinidad Piping-Guan photo by Faraaz Abdool - Birding the Islands

08/12/2023

🐳Did you know that in addition to our popular birding tours in the Greater and Lesser Antilles, we also operate unforgettable trips on which you have the opportunity to swim with whales in Dominica?!

🥳The eco-minded island has recently announced a world first: a marine reserve dedicated to the protection of their resident population of this highly intelligent and charismatic marine mammal!

Click here to find out more about these once-in-a-lifetime tours: https://bit.ly/3RzSs79

23/07/2023

What a fantastic time the Birding the Islands team had at Global Birdfair 2023!!

We're looking forward to bringing those Caribbean beach and birding vibes back to the heart of the UK countryside next year. Watch this space 😜

Another thanks goes out to our team: Faraaz (thanks for the gorgeous photos), Jo for our beautiful brochures, and Leon & Willow for your time!!

See you in 2024!!!

16/07/2023

And that's a wrap!! Global Birdfair 2023 is officially over; and what an experience!

We met so many lovely past, present and future Birding the Islands birders, made some great connections within the birding community, and weathered the storms that tried to drown us!

A special thanks goes out to Penny & Tim for inviting us to exhibit, and for offering Ryan the opportunity to give a talk about the magnificent birds of our region and the perils they face as they (and we) fight for their survival.

Thank you also to our brilliant volunteers Willow & Leon, who gave their time to come and help us to promote our trips in their respective homelands of St Lucia & Guyana!!

We had a great time, and we're already looking forward to next year's event!

Time for bed 💤

16/07/2023

Fantastic news 👏 We've recently started offering trips to this wonderful island - both fixed-date group tours combined with Jamaica & the Dominican Republic, and as part of our Build Your Own tour offerings. Head across to our website to find out more: https://bit.ly/3GF1oDh

It's oficial...Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 has a New endemic bird species!! #19 👀🤩✌️😎🤗😍 it's the Jilguero or Antillean euphonia,
Chlorophonia sclateri!🎊🎉

Es oficial...Puerto Rico tiene una nueva especie endémica de aves...la #19 👀🤩🐦✌️😎🤗😍 Nuestro Jilguero o Antillean euphonia,Chlorophonia sclateri!🎊🎉

16/07/2023

It's day 3 of Global Birdfair. Stop by stand 11 in Swallow Marquee for a taste of the tropics!

13/07/2023

Calling all birders - we're ready for you!!

Bringing warm & sunny Caribbean vibes to Global Birdfair from 9am tomorrow morning!!

Stop in at Stand 11 in Swallow Marquee for a tantalising taste of the tropics and discover the spectacular birds that call the Caribbean home!

06/07/2023

Come have a chat with us at Stand 11 in Swallow Marquee at Global Birdfair at Rutland Showground, Rutland, UK.

We'll be there from open to close on 14th, 15th & 16th July.

See you there - and don't forget to bring the kids or grandkids!!

18/06/2023

Bring your family along to Global Birdfair on 14th, 15th or 16th July, and light the spark of a lifelong love of the natural world in your kids.

There will be lots of exhibitors (including us here at Birding the Islands) offering something fun and informative for your little ones, so make sure you pick up your stop by and see us in Swallow Marquee, Stand S11 on your way through the fair.

Get your tickets at https://gbf.yourticketpurchase.com/p/globalbirdfair?fbclid=IwAR3TZbzTionUSQhYBtmyK1wUaB5Cfvy86YOHOd1DU0_a2LeaA9YUZUsJvNE

⭐️Meet Jackie and Pete Murray - they are ‘Simply the Best’
They created the fantastic Be a Global Birdfair Expert book for our younger visitors at Global Birdfair 2023 AND they are our amazing Volunteer Co-ordinators

📖 All young visitors can collect a copy of the book on arrival at our Information area

🐣 To celebrate Father’s Day why not book your tickets?!
under 18’s get in FREE with a paying adult

💚 Family Sunday ticket £20.00 for 2 adults and up to 4 children
All activities on site are included in the entry price
🎟️ https://gbf.yourticketpurchase.com/p/globalbirdfair

Massive thanks to .unitedkingdom for sponsoring the production of the book

Thanks also to those exhibitors who are part of the Expert Trail!
Watch out for
Sandra Vick artist & shop
Eyebrook Wild Bird Feeds
Perkins Wildlife Art
Falklands Conservation Birding the Islands Button & Sq**rt

🦆 Tadorna is running activities for young visitors on their stand in Merlin Marquee

🪺 RSPB England is hosting their ‘Discovery Area’ in The Nest including making a seed bomb 🌱 🌻
🔍plus Nest Box trail around the site

🌱 Root-and-Branch Out CIC will host activities on their gorgeous site - you’ll pass them on your way to our event main entrance
👣 Our Shoveler image will lead you there from the Global Birdfair field

📸Find our Photo Board to take the photo celebrating the new expert!

🏆ZEISS Birding present their Young Birder Awards at Global Birdfair PLUS activities on and off site for birders of all ages

😀See you there!

Birdwatch BirdGuides.com British Birdwatching BBC Wildlife Magazine Wanderlust Magazine Information Rutland Rutland Pride Rutland Water Rutland & Stamford Sound Rutland Nursery Gates Garden Centre Discover Rutland Team4Nature Birmingham British Birds & Wildlife Simon King Wildlife Stamford Arts CentreEnglish Martyrs Catholic Primary School Rutland County Museum Rutland County Council Oakham Nub NewsRutland Times Rutland & Stamford Mercury Melton Times BBC Radio Leicester BBC Radio Nottingham BBC Radio Northampton BBC Countryfile Magazine A Focus On Nature Andrew Millham
eBird BirdLife International Cornell Lab of Ornithology Telegraph Travel National Trust for Scotland Visit Leicester

23/05/2023

It's never too early to start birdwatching (or practising your photography skills - special thanks to our daughter, Ari, for capturing this special moment).

The Birding the Islands team enjoying some family time in the stunning island of Tobago, and benefitting from some pretty spectacular views of Trinidad Motmot - a gorgeous species endemic to the sister-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago! Having misplaced my bins, Ari was kind enough to lend me her special pink ones to enjoy the view!

It's hard to beat a spot of island birding in the Caribbean! Find out more about the trips we offer here: https://bit.ly/3GF1oDh and come join us in the islands!

13/05/2023

43 species and counting 🇹🇹

09/05/2023

Just one of the many stunning endemics that we see on each of our popular Every Endemic in the Lesser Antilles tours! Follow the link to find out how you can join us on one of these epic adventures: https://bit.ly/43DyWvs

09/05/2023

What are you doing on 13th May?

We hope the answer is "Joining in Global Birding's Global Big Day 2023"!!!

Here at Birding the Islands, we're looking forward to tallying up some big numbers for the Caribbean, as we will be in Trinidad 🇹🇹 hot on the tail(feathers) of some stunning species while helping to raise funds for our partner BirdsCaribbean!

We encourage you to take part in this fantastic event, which aims to collect important data on the distribution of species across the world.

So don't forget to sign up to eBird (it's free) and submit your checklists on 13th May to be a part of the biggest birdwatching event in the world! And let us know how many species you see on the day!!

01/05/2023

It's official! We are headed to Global Birdfair on 14th, 15th & 16th July 2023! Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3AKrUYI and come and say hi to us!!

Some fantastic exhibitors & sponsors will be at Global Birdfair
14, 15 & 16 July
Rutland Showground

🎟️Tickets available now
https://gbf.yourticketpurchase.com/p/globalbirdfair

Park Cameras Sony UK Tour Taiwan - Taiwan Tourism Bureau Canon UK OMD UK David Tipling Andalucia Bird Society VisitGuatemala Beckford’s Rum Spirits Leica Sport Optics Nature, Birding & Leisure Birding the Islands International Crane Foundation Birdtour Asia Langur Eco Travels - Bhutan

Ps it’s International Crane Foundation's 50th Anniversary this year - call by their stand to join in their celebrations (we have suggested they bring cake 🎂😀)

Park Cameras are one of our fantastic sponsors - find them in Hobby Marquee

Leica as a sponsor will be in Falcon Marquee and are also sponsors of Curlew Lecture Stage

Olympus (OMD) are sponsors of the new 🦉 Owl Workshop - find them in Hobby Marquee

We are working hard to create another great event and making sure we can support this year’s project for BirdLife International and Aves y Conservation to
🌳Sustain Forest Life in Ecuador
Saving & enlarging forest habitat for all its inhabitants

Camping available - book on ticket link
Glamping available - https://bellowsglamping.co.uk/global-birdfair-2023/
Accommodation at Oakham School - including Shuttle Bus to event site https://oakhamschoolenterprises.co.uk/birdfair
Shuttle bus from Oakham Railway Station to Global Birdfair event site daily from 8:30am
Evening events on Friday and Saturday - details coming soon
Catering on site available until 9pm on Friday and Saturday

Cornwall Birding Sussex Bird Club Birds Photography Hampshire Ornithological Society Lincolnshire Birding British Birds Lovers Yorkshire Wildlife Photography YORKSHIRE BIRDS AND BIRDERS LANCASHIRE BIRDERS Shropshire Bird Ringing The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve and Education Centre Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve Tophill Low Nature Reserve TOPHILL LOW SIGHTINGS & PHOTOGRAPHY Dickleburgh Moor Nature Reserve Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Friends of Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve Community Group Portishead Salt Marshes Cumberland Bird Observers' Club Facebook Group Save Saltwells Nature Reserve Brampton Wood Nature Reserve Derby Parks Volunteers Birmingham Nature Centre London Natural History Society Tarras Valley Nature Reserve

26/04/2023

As we celebrate the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival here in the islands, can you spot one of the *rarest species on the planet* sitting on its 🪺 in this photo?

We have just concluded yet another successful EVERY ENDEMIC in the Lesser Antilles tour, with 💯% of the endemics of these magical islands seen on Birding the Islands' April 2023 tour! Hence the smiles...

If you're looking to add a lengthy list of highly-threatened single-island endemics to your life list, then come and join us in the islands! While our October 2024 tour is waitlist only, a few spaces remain on our January 2025 departure. To find out more, click here: https://bit.ly/43DyWvs