Migratory birds have been handed a lifeline thanks to record-breaking fundraising efforts during Birdfair 2015.
A cheque for £320,000 was handed over to BirdLife International to help vulnerable migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean, at a presentation event at the home of Birdfair – Rutland Water Nature Reserve, which the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust manages in partnership with Anglian Water.
The money raised will go towards a project aimed at reducing the scale and impact of illegal killing of migratory birds, and to improve protection and laws throughout the region.
Tim Appleton, Reserve Manager at Rutland Water, co-founder and organiser of Birdfair, said, “I am delighted that Birdfair 2015 has smashed the previous year’s fundraising record. A lot of hard work from organisers, volunteers, sponsors and attendee’s goes into this event, and we are proud to raise an enormous amount of money to support BirdLife International’s work in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Hundreds of millions of birds migrate between Europe and Africa each spring and autumn, through the Eastern Mediterranean. These birds face many threats on their epic journey and a recent BirdLife International report revealed 25 million migratory birds are illegally killed each year.
Tim added, “Birdfair will continue to support many more important conservation projects in the future and we’re delighted that in 2016 we will be raising funds to help save Important Bird Areas in Africa.”
Birdfair is jointly promoted by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and RSPB.
The 2016 Birdfair will take place from 19th to 21st August - click here for further information.
Photograph: Tim Appleton - Rutland Water Nature Reserve Manager, Patricia Zurita - BirdLife International CEO, Simon Bentley - Director Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (Martin Kerman/LRWT)
