Well, that just shot past.
I missed the opening ceremony.
I gave half a talk and Tristan Reid gave the other half – it seemed to add up to a proper talk in the end.
A lady was emotional about the fact that Turtle Doves had not turned up in her village this year – I wish the room (tent, actually) had been full of politicians to see how much it mattered to her.
Lots of people were wearing Hen Harrier Day t-shirts. Many of the sodden 570 were present and exchanging smiles as they passed each other. Many, many people talked about Hen Harrier Day and how please3d they had been that it had happened. I saw three of the guys from Birders Against Wildlife Crime and we decided we’d have to talk properly about ‘what next?’.
I met Oscar Dewhurst and Jonnie Fisk.
I drank a beer – and very good beer it was too.
I had an ice-cream and that was pretty good as well.
I signed lots of copies of A Message from Martha and quite a few copies of Fighting for Birds too.
I saw Chris Packham, Tim Appleton, Mike Clarke, Stephanie Hilborne, Bill Oddie, Martin Warren, Matt Shardlow, Martin Davies, Findlay Wilde, Stephen Moss, Conor Jameson, Andy Clements, Ed Drewitt, Ieuan Evans, Debbie Pain, Ian Newton but not Mike Dilger, David Lindo, Ian Wallace or Richard Porter. Did anyone else spot these four yesterday?
I missed seeing Derek Moore – wishing him a quick and complete recovery.
Do you remember Hookpods? I learned more about them at their stand and their fundraising is going quite well.
A signed copy of Fighting for Birds and a 2XL Hen Harrier Day t-shirt are prizes in the Birding for All raffle.
Keith Betton and I talked to Nigel Massen about a book we have finished ‘writing’.
I had a quick word with Simon Barnes but I will see him next week for a proper chat.
I had a quick chat to the very nice people from the World Land Trust and talked briefly about their Controversial Conservation event on 2 September, and then I came home. The day just flew past.
Tomorrow, Saturday, I will be joining in a discussion with Chris Packham, Bruce Pearson and author David Cobham in the Authors Wildlife Forum from 1030-1115 and doing book signings as follows:
1200-1300 on the Wildsounds stand.
1400-1500 on the Subbuteo stand.
1500-1600 on the Birdwatch stand.
Looks like another busy day and the weather forecast looks pretty good. See you there? I’ll try to take some photos tomorrow.
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