Lincs Bird Club Events

Click on the event title to expand/hide the full details

Curlew Conservation: An Overview by Mary Colwell on Monday, 13 April 2026 18:30

Curlew Action Series | Free Online Meeting – Book by clicking the following link; https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/curlew-conservation-an-overview-tickets-1983671521921?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Curlews are among the UK’s most iconic and rapidly declining birds. Their numbers are falling primarily because too few chicks survive to adulthood — and the reasons are complex. As ground-nesting birds, Curlews are exposed to many of the environmental pressures shaping our landscapes today, from agricultural intensification and predation to habitat fragmentation and climate change.

In this introductory webinar, Mary Colwell (Curlew Action) explores why Curlews are in trouble, what their decline tells us about the wider state of our countryside, and how practical, evidence-led conservation can help secure their future.

Mary will explore the following challenges that face Curlews:

· Why Curlews Are Declining: An overview of Curlew ecology and why poor breeding success lies at the heart of their decline, with insight into the pressures facing nests and chicks on the ground.

· Agriculture: Since WW2, the intensification of farming practices has created unsustainable pressures on birds that nest on the land, resulting from practices such as frequent silage cutting, over-stocking, drainage and the spread of monocultures.

· Predation: Young Curlews are easy prey, and the UK has some of the highest densities of generalist predators, such as foxes and cows, in Europe.

· Forestry: Forestry, especially plantations, are not always compatible with breeding Curlews, which need big, open spaces free of predators. Trees close in the landscape, remove nesting habitat and can also provide shelter for a variety of predators such as badgers, foxes and crows.

· Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: In a small, crowded country, land is pulled in many directions: housing, roads and infrastructure, recreational access, dog walking, and large-scale renewable energy developments all compete for space with Curlews.

· Climate Change: Climate instability is not a distant threat; it is already compounding the challenges Curlews face on the ground through flooding, drought, extreme temperatures and seasonal disruption.

This free webinar is aimed at anyone with an interest in Curlews or conservation in general and will provide a clear, balanced overview of the challenges and practical solutions involved in Curlew conservation. We welcome students, naturalists, ornithologists, conservation professionals, ecologists, land managers, farmers and anyone else who is keen to understand the threats facing our Curlews.

The 60-minute event will consist of a presentation followed by a live Q&A with the tutor, using questions submitted by the audience.

Recordings of the presentation and a transcript of the Q&A/useful links will be emailed following the webinar to those who booked a space on the event.

Global Big Day 2026 – Join the World in Birding from Lincolnshire

Each spring, birdwatchers across the globe come together for one of the biggest wildlife events on the planet—Global Big Day. In 2026, the event takes place on 9 May, bringing together tens of thousands of observers from over 170 countries, all contributing to a single shared goal: recording as many bird species as possible in just 24 hours.

But Global Big Day is about far more than numbers. It is a powerful example of citizen science in action, with every checklist submitted helping scientists understand bird populations, migration, and conservation priorities on a global scale.

What is Global Big Day?

Global Big Day is organised through eBird, the world’s largest online bird recording platform. On one day—midnight to midnight in your local time zone—participants simply go birding and submit what they see.

It doesn’t matter whether you record 5 species in your garden or 100 species on a full day in the field—every observation counts. The combined effort creates a real-time global map of birdlife, often recording over 7,000 species in a single day—around three-quarters of the world’s birds.

Why it Matters

Events like Global Big Day highlight the importance of widespread recording. Data collected helps to:

Track changes in bird populations
Understand migration timing and routes
Identify important habitats
Inform conservation decisions

In short, it turns everyday birdwatching into something globally significant.

Taking Part in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is perfectly placed to contribute strongly to Global Big Day, with its mix of coastline, wetlands, farmland and estuaries supporting a wide diversity of species in early May.

Whether you’re based on the coast, inland, or simply watching your garden feeders, there are plenty of ways to get involved:

1. Choose Your Location

You can take part anywhere—from your garden to well-known sites such as the Wash, Gibraltar Point, Frampton Marsh, or your local patch.

2. Go Birding

Spend as little as 10–15 minutes or as long as the full day observing birds. Early May is ideal, with:

Late wintering wildfowl still present
Passage waders moving through
Spring migrants arriving (warblers, hirundines, etc.)
Breeding birds in full song

3. Record Your Sightings

Log everything you see or hear using eBird, either via the website or mobile app. Submitting a complete checklist with counts makes your data far more valuable.

4. Enjoy the Day

Global Big Day is as much about enjoyment as data—bird with friends, explore a new site, or simply appreciate your local patch.

Tips for a Successful Day in Lincolnshire

Start early – dawn activity is often best, especially for songbirds and geese movements
Cover different habitats – coast, farmland, wetlands and woodland all add species
Avoid disturbance – particularly important on estuaries and breeding sites
Keep good notes – especially useful for rarer species
Submit multiple checklists – one per site or time period

For those involved in structured survey work (VP surveys, BBS-style routes, etc.), Global Big Day is also a great opportunity to align standardised recording with a global dataset.

Lincolnshire’s Contribution

With an active birding community and excellent coverage through local recorders, Lincolnshire regularly performs strongly in national tallies. Events like Global Big Day provide an opportunity to:

Showcase the county’s birdlife
Engage new birders
Contribute to global conservation science

Whether it’s Pink-footed Geese over the marshes, waders on the Humber and Wash, or Skylarks singing over farmland, every record adds to the bigger picture.

Get Involved

There’s no registration required—just:

Create an eBird account (free)
Go birding on 9 May 2026
Submit your sightings

Even a short walk or a few minutes in the garden contributes to a worldwide effort.

In summary: Global Big Day is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to take part in bird conservation. From Lincolnshire to the farthest corners of the world, birders will be out recording, sharing, and celebrating birds together.

Why not join them?

Global Birdfair 2026 – The world’s premier celebration of birds and conservation

Every summer, the international birding community gathers at one of the most anticipated events in the wildlife calendar, the Global Birdfair. In 2026, the event returns once again to the shores of Rutland Water, promising three days of inspiration, learning and conservation action.

When and where

Global Birdfair 2026 will take place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July 2026 at Lyndon Top, Rutland Water.

The event runs daily from 9:00am, with exhibitor marquees open until late afternoon and evening events continuing into the night on Friday and Saturday.

Set against one of England’s most important birding locations, the site offers direct access to Rutland Water and nearby reserves, with the added bonus of the chance to see Ospreys overhead.

A festival of birds, people and ideas

Global Birdfair is often described as the “birders’ Glastonbury”, bringing together thousands of visitors from across the UK and around the world.

It’s far more than a trade show — it’s a festival of nature, combining:

Hundreds of exhibitors – including optics manufacturers, wildlife tour companies, conservation charities and artists
Talks and lectures – spread across multiple themed stages
Workshops and demonstrations – from bird ringing to photography
Author events and book signings
Nature walks and field activities around Rutland Water
Family-friendly Discovery Zone and youth engagement hubs

With over 300 exhibitors in recent years, the scale of the event ensures there is something for everyone — from beginner birders to seasoned field ecologists.

Conservation at its heart

What truly sets Global Birdfair apart is its strong conservation focus. Each year the event raises significant funds for international conservation projects via its partnership with BirdLife International.

For 2026, the spotlight is on “Preventing Island Extinctions”, with a focus on the critically threatened Dwarf Ibis of São Tomé and Príncipe — a species with a population of fewer than 2,000 individuals.

Visitors are encouraged to contribute through ticket donations, auctions and fundraising events, meaning that simply attending helps support global conservation efforts.

A hub for learning and networking

One of the biggest draws of Global Birdfair is the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Whether you’re:

a birder chasing your next life list tick
a professional ecologist
a photographer looking to upgrade your kit
or someone just starting out

…the event offers a rare chance to connect with experts, organisations and fellow enthusiasts in one place.

Highlights include specialist stages, podcasting hubs, and initiatives like the Young Conservationists’ Hub, aimed at inspiring the next generation of wildlife professionals.

More than just birds

While birds are at the centre, the scope of the fair extends to the wider natural world. Expect:

wildlife travel inspiration from across the globe
cutting-edge optics and camera equipment
conservation campaigns and NGO stands
art, crafts and nature writing
food, drink and a lively festival atmosphere

Evenings add to the experience, with talks, social events and a relaxed “nature festival” feel extending beyond the daytime programme.

Planning your visit

Tickets for 2026 went on sale in February, with options ranging from single-day passes to full weekend access.

The event includes free parking and shuttle buses from Oakham station, making it relatively easy to access.

Given its popularity, booking in advance, particularly for accommodation, is strongly advised.

Why it matters

Global Birdfair has quickly established itself as one of the most important wildlife events in the UK. It blends passion, science, conservation and community into a single weekend, and, crucially, it delivers real-world conservation impact.

For anyone with an interest in birds or the natural world, it’s not just an event, it’s an experience.

About Us

We are the Lincolnshire Bird Club. Our aims are to encourage and further the interest in the birdlife of the historic County of Lincolnshire; to participate in organised fieldwork activities; to collect and publish information on bird movements, behaviour, distribution and populations; to encourage conservation of the wildlife of the County and to provide sound information on which conservation policies can be based.