Birdfair 2012 roundup

Had by far the most successful Birdfair since Rachel and I started representing REGUA at the annual event at Rutland in 2007, despite the Birdfair feeling quieter than usual. This year's event (17-19 August) was the first time that we have had our own stand for REGUA, which attracted a huge amount of interest. Almost all of our leaflets went, we sold lots of the new Checklist of the Birds of REGUA as well as a few bookmarks, and Rachel's cakes went like, er, hot cakes. We also had massive surge in interest from even more tour companies.

Caught up with a lot of friends. Andy and Cristina from Serra dos Tucanos had little Olivier with them, Rick and Elis Simpson filled us in on their exciting new Wader Quest venture, Steve Cale delivered the stunning tanager paintings we commissioned last year, Steve Brookes came by, and in the eleventh hour we finally caught up with Ruth Miller from The Biggest Twitch (but unfortunately Alan eluded us). It was also great to see many of the guys from the World Land Trust, Kevin Cox, wildlife photographer Margaret Welby, and lots of past guests at REGUA.

The first independent REGUA stand at the UK Birdfair, with Rachel and Sue Healey
in action.

The calm before the storm at the REGUA stand

Bristlefront Brownie - a REGUA stand endemic. See
RAW Baking for loads more baked goodies from Rachel.

Also Wise Birding had their first stand this year. Chris Townend and Helen Booker had a huge amount of interest and even Nick Baker popped by to say hello. The Wise Birding business model of donating a percentage of each tour to a local conservation organisation visited on the tour seems to be big draw! If you are a Facebook user, and haven't already liked the Wise Birding Facebook page, please do so here.

Chris Townend and Helen Booker on the Wise Birding stand

Also bought a few bits - a shiny new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens, the Richard Lewington illustrated guides to moths and micro-moths and a couple of Bushnell trophy cams - can't wait to use these in Brazil next month! Many thanks to everyone who stopped by the REGUA stand, and I hope you see you at REGUA one day soon.

This micro-moth, Agriphila tristella, had decided to sit out the day on the front of
the Canon display cabinet, and who would blame it?

Spoon-billed Sandpiper painted on the Birdfair mural by Mark Andrews. This year's
Birdfair is raising funds for conservation efforts in the East Asian/Australasian
Flyway - crucial for migratory waders and many other waterbirds.

More on the REGUA stand at this year's Birdfair on Sue Healey's blog.