Bird Fair Blues ~ roll on next year

Its absolutely true, even though I was struggling with a bad throat and loss of voice, I still had a great time at the Bird Fair, and I miss it now its over.

A novice at this game, I have only been to the Fair around eight times, and only two of them as an exhibitor for REGUA, the Reserve in Brazil that I volunteer for.   Still, I love the atmosphere of the place, all those people gathering from around the world once a year for the same reason.  Their love of birds and all things natural and environmental.

Most of the exhibitors are there to make money one way or another, by selling holidays, books or equipment, or by a subscription to a worthy cause, others are there to sell a concept - as in REGUA's case - but without a basic interest in the natural world we wouldn't be there.

Privet Hawkmoth Caterpillar

Wandering around, bumping into old friends, making new friends, the whole event is a sociable cornucopia, and one which I would now greatly miss if I was not part of it.  

The highlights for me were:

Chatting to Bill Oddie (who has visited REGUA in the past) about the progress we have made and continue to make, and how the reforestation of the Guapi-Assu valley has provided corridors for wildlife to use and expand into.   This gives us both hope for the future - proving that the tide of destruction can be turned.

Success!

Watching the sheer joy on a child's face as she held a Privet Hawkmoth caterpillar, she giggled as it tickled her hand and was in absolute awe at its beauty.

The successes of two groups of friends with stands;
Firstly, Skua Nature an Italian group who aim to provide not only holidays but research, teaching and habitat restoration and protection to a wide group of people from Italy and around the world - they were a roaring success winning Best Overseas Stand and Best Overall Stand
Secondly, Wise Birding who managed to give away virtually all their brochures for next year, and also adding to their portfolio of bookings.

My personal success was planning my 2014 Holiday Plans - yippee!   At the Bird Fair it took about 15 minutes - at home I would have pondered for days . . . . .

And if Lee, Rachel, Alan and I wondered if we had made any impact at all for our beloved Reserve, we were left in no doubt when a couple wandered up to tell us what a great time they had on holiday this year.   They booked after meeting us at the Bird Fair last year - you see we can turn your dreams into reality!

All over until next year

. . . . . and I have just had an email today from a couple asking to book for 2015.