Take Flight: Bird Watching Festivals Across the World. Wanderlust put together a list of 9 incredible bird watching events dedicated to conserving, protecting and celebrating this most diverse and vital species.
1. Batumi Birdwatching Festival, Georgia
If you’re keen to take part, organisers can arrange for you to stay with local families and supply you with what you need to help out.
More information: batumiraptorcount.org
2. Indian Birding Fair, Jaipur
The Indian Birding Fair is held every February at Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur and is as colourful and exciting as the city itself. Thousands of birdwatchers from around India and the world descend upon the lake, a popular migratory spot for waders.
For international birders, the fair offers the chance to experience birdwatching in a totally unique environment – in the shadow of the lake’s famous water palace, the Jal Mahal.
More information: birdfair.org
3. Eilat Birds Festival, Israel
The Eilat Birds Festival is regarded as one of the most significant events on the international birdwatching calendar.
The weeklong event includes day and night birding tours like the unforgettable ‘Stars of the Night’ tour to the Dead Sea, presentations by local and international experts and the chance to spot all the birds that this region is famous for.
More information: birds.org.il
4. Kakadu Bird Week, Australia
Kakadu National Park is a bird lover’s paradise. Bird Week is held over the last week of September. Visitors are treated to specialist lectures, cultural events and, arguably, Australia’s best birdwatching.
In addition, local aboriginal artists are also on hand to teach you traditional painting techniques should you want to immortalise your encounter on something other than film. Perhaps, you may carve a cockatoo as well as take its photo.
More information: parksaustralia.gov.au
5. British Bird Fair, Rutland Water, UK
This is the big one. The birdwatching Glastonbury by which all other bird fairs are judged. Part celebration, part participation, part commercial bazaar, this is where you’ll find everything you want to know about birdwatching gear, birdwatching tours and birdwatching personalities.
Held every August on Rutland Water Nature Reserve, it’s also one of the best birdwatching spots in the UK.
More information: https://globalbirdfair.org
6. Feria Internacional de Aves de Colombia, Cali
Colombia has the highest avian diversity in the world, so it should come as no surprise that one of the newest and most exciting events on the international birdwatching calendar is the Feria Internacional de Aves de Colombia, the Colombia Bird Fair.
The fair is in Cali. Known as Colombia’s very own ‘City of Birds’. Sitting at the crossroads of three major biogeographic regions, Cali is home to 562 species of birds, more than the whole of Europe.
More information: colombiabirdfair.com
7. Sagres Birdwatching Festival
The Sagres Birdwatching Festival is the biggest nature event in Portugal. Timed to coincide with the autumn migration, it is a celebration of the area’s biodiversity and landscapes.
The festival program includes field trips, boat tours, workshops, talks, environmental education activities and bird ringing sessions. There’s also a chance to explore the fantastic local culture, especially the incredible food and wine.
More information: birdwatchingsagres.com
8. Borneo Bird Festival, Sabah
The Borneo Bird Festival takes place in the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan. The festival was created to raise public awareness about bird conservation. In addition, to promote birdwatching in the region! Lastly, to showcase the 568 bird species that call this part of Borneo home, including four that are found nowhere else in the world.
Expect talks, guided bird walks, a bird race and a bird-watching competition. How many Bornean Bristleheads, Bornean Falconets and Black-Crowned Pittas will you see?
More information: Borneo Bird Festival Facebook page
9. Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, USA
Mention the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival to an American birdwatcher and they’ll give you a knowing smile. It’s more a fiesta. It’s more than a festival. They’ll tell you why the second week in November is always circled on their calendars.
There’s a massive trade fair, of course. As well as presentations and lectures and a hoe down or two. But there are plenty of birds too. In 2019, 278 different species were sighted, from Swamp Sparrows to Morelet’s Seedeaters.
More information: rgvbf.org
In conclusion, visit Birds & Beasleys for all your bird watching gear, including books, binoculars and more! It’s Take Flight and visit Bird Watching Festivals Across the World!