Thousands of cars trickled through the sleepy village of Egleton in Rutland Water at the weekend, which could mean only one thing… The British Bird Watching Fair 2009.
Thousands of visitors, young and old, expert and beginner, came to learn, shop, gather new wildlife sightings and soak up the atmosphere. And, amazingly, the sunshine.
The RSPB, unsurprisingly, has a big presence at the fair every year, but their involvement this year was a bit different.
In addition to people on the exhibition stand giving advice on a range of issues, there was a sea of pink and black t-shirts weaving through the crowds with the slogan ‘wildlife crime fighter’ blazoned across the front. Working with The Wildlife Trusts, the mission for these ‘wildlife superheroes?’ To gather pledges in support of a drive to encourage the government to act against six priority wildlife crime areas.
The illegal killing of birds of prey, crimes against bats, badgers and fresh water pearl mussels, poaching and the illegal trade in endangered species stirred a massive 6,272 people to sign the pledge over just three days.
This kind of mass support shows just how disgusted people are by the wildlife crimes committed at home and abroad, and surely must make our government sit up, take notice and act.