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Went to the Birdfair for all three days in the end, and got a bed in a Peterborough hotel!
My goodness...... oh my sweet little swoonbucket Simon King......... my, my my.........
** Drifts off into daydream ** ................... ** may be some time ** ....................
So then, what else did I do apart from have my heart melted into mush by TV's Mr Gorgeous? Well, I released 2 birds during the ringing display. They were a Reed Warbler and a male Goldfinch. you must all know by now that I love my Goldfinches so to hold one was astronomically wonderful. Before I released it, I said to it "Goodbye, sweetie - good luck and keep well!"
The meeting with David Attenborough never happened because when I finished seeing Bird Brain of Britain, the queue for the book signing was already backing on to the Golden Gate Bridge. I had 101 other things to go and see so decided to cut my losses and just wave to the man, and he responded!
Celebrities met: Simon King, Bill Oddie (three times), Jonathan Scott of Big Cat Diary, Mike Dilger, Rory McGrath, Chris Packham, Janet Sumner. Bill was on very, very good form this year. I realised one thing. That, for all the criticism levelled at him, I personally am never going to say a bad word about Bill. He, through Springwatch has given me too many good memories over the last 2 and a quarter years of birdwatching. And a lot of self-deprecating humour throughout Bird Brain of Britain with the emphasis on his bad language during this year's Springwatch. Blowing a crow caller toy whenever he felt a profanity coming on!
For instance, the time I went to Freiston in very bad weather but was repaid by the best views of a short-eared owl I have ever witnessed. If it wasn't for his enthusiasm in Springwatch, I wouldn't have had that moment. I wouldn't have had the exciting moment the first goldfinch visited my feeder. I wouldn't be talking to you now. I wouldn't be a member of the LBC, the RSPB, RSPB local branch, World Owl Trust or BTO (I joined yesterday). My money wouldn't have gone towards much-needed conservation projects. Because of that, I owe him a lifetime of loyalty, respect and admiration. It is with great gratitude and thanks that I will do this.
The surprise of the Birdfair was the meeting with Rory McGrath. I felt sorry for him in a way. In that his presence at the Birdfair was so badly advertised. I couldn't find any reference to it in the official programme. It's really good that he has 'come out' and embraced his inner Birder through such a good read as 'Bearded Tit'. Mucho kudos, Rory! I've been a fan since he started on 'They Think It's All Over', so I was very pleased indeed to meet him. Jonathan Scott was the other bonus as I thought he wouldn't come to the Birdfair given that he lives in Kenya.....
I now own my first two Poyser books, or should that be orni-porn? 'Weather and Bird behaviour' and 'The Barn Owl'. Membership of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust will come once my finances have recovered. I saw Bill again today. He is filming a documentary about wildlife artists and spent a long time filming with artist Carry Akroyd. After Bird Brain of Britain, I registered my continuing keen interest to do the quiz, and I am determined to find out how you're selected. I now know which telescope I want. A secondhand Nikon which Steve Keightley will supply, again when the money's more conducive. Preferably NOT with the pink casing. Too girly and I am a tomboy.
Oh, and Simon King's 'Audience With' talks on friday and Saturday were different, and very informative. He demonstrated how he won the trust of a group of meerkats which was enlightening and I nearly died laughing when he showed footage of himself with the meerkats on sentry duty with the inexperienced young meerkats falling asleep and collapsing everywhere!
A truly epic, wonderful Birdfair!
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