A fully feathered nest
Birds of a feather flock together and at Hambleton Hall you’re always in good company. And August is no exception. It may be the UK’s smallest county but our rural Rutland is host to the largest wildlife festival in the country, Birdfair. Known as the Glastonbury of ornithologists and in its 31st year, the festival welcomes guests from across the globe to a three-day event that combines conservation, preservation and natural history on 16, 17 and 18 August. And our home from home is the perfect base to rest your head and refresh during your Rutland adventures.
In the footsteps of giants
Meet your heroes and enjoy a plethora of lectures, book launches, quizzes and Q&A sessions each day from some of the biggest names in the natural history world including Chris Packham, Mark Carwadine, Mike Dilger, Iolo Williams, Isabella Tree and Hannah Stitfall. If you’re lucky you may even spot a dragon, with Deborah Meaden promised as a personality ready to share her enthusiasm throughout the event as Ambassador for Marine Conservation Society, Fellow of WWF and Trustee of the Tusk Trust. With hundreds of stalls selling everything from eco-holidays and unique experiences to binoculars and birdfeeders the festival boasts three different timetables packed with unmissable events.
Contributing to conservation
Continuing its support of overseas conservation, Birdfair has chosen to support Birdlife International’s work in Western Siem Pang, Cambodia for 2019. Home to five critically endangered species of bird, including the Giant Ibis and White Ibis, this vital forest of deciduous and semi-evergreens faces constant threat from logging, hunting and land clearance. Proceeds from event sponsorship and ticket sales will contribute to Birdlife’s population monitoring and wetland restoration to support the natural breeding efforts of these species and help reduce their endangered status.
A relaxing retreat
With its large residency of water birds, waders and warblers, Rutland Water has become a mecca for birdwatching, attracting enthusiasts daily to its Egleton visitor centre. Patient twitchers are often rewarded with feathered flights of Ospreys and Terns nesting in privacy on a remote island in viewpoint of the hides. Specialist wardens arrange regular tours of up to three hours of the waters, home to over 47 species of native, migrating and visiting birds.
The Hambleton peninsula is proud of its rural heritage as well as its current reputation for conservation. Visit the Lyndon centre and you’ll soon see why. Intimate hides offer excellent views in summer of the Osprey nesting site and breath-taking views across the waters all year round. Choose from one of many tempting tracks that lead to hides sheltered on the water margins. Relax in the Rutland countryside as sand martins, kingfishers, ducks and geese all perform for an exclusive audience-just you and your binoculars.
Whether you’re visiting or exhibiting for the first time or are returning home to us at Hambleton Hall, a warm welcome awaits you, as does an abundance of wildlife within walking distance.