Just had my accommodation confirmed as available - I am going in August!!!!! The Birdfair is the highlight of my year, and this will be the fifth time I have gone. My autism makes me perceive the world at a younger level expected for my age, and for me, going to the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water every August is like Harry Potter's excitement at going to Hogwarts or Darrell Rivers' excitement at going to Malory Towers!
In a way, going to the Birdfair IS like beginning a new school year, or Freshers' Week at University. You have new books (course material, exercise books, textbooks), new optics equipment (Nimbus 2000), new people to meet (new classmates), wildlife presenters are there (teachers), new clothing (school uniform), new talks to go to (lessons) and new wildlife-watching trips to go on (field trips). And of course, Simon and Jason are there, as Headmaster and Deputy Head. They can discuss who is who! As this is the fifth year I've gone and the fifth year in school is the time you take your GCSEs, I feel I am ready to perhaps take my birdwatching to a deeper level of expertise. And the 'Bird Brain of Britain' quiz to me resembles the most public of exams you can do in the bird world.
Oh, I can't wait - I really can't!!!!! Can anyone advise on how I can take my birdwatching and the like to a higher level of knowledge and expertise?
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Permalink Reply by Richard King on 
Permalink Reply by Cathy Dyason on I am looking forward to the bird fair too. I will be great to catch up again and maybe meet a few new people. I am also looking forward to seeing/hearing some great talks. The stalls, displays, shopping, were fantastic last year. It will be a great way to end the week after my Birthday. :D
Permalink Reply by Cathy Dyason on Hi Katherine,
Are you going on the cruise at the Birdfair with Simon on the Friday? I have booked my tickets. I can't wait. :D
Permalink Reply by Katherine Emma Birkett on 
Permalink Reply by Michael J Wood on Nice entry about this year's BirdFair Katherine. My wife and I are also going and will be our second visit.
About 13 years ago at University I spent quite a lot of time studying autism, its effects on the individual and dare I say it on others. By what you have written here just tells me that you are not letting your condition hold you back from enjoying life to the full, and you appreciate so well the positive effect other people in the world have on you which undoubtedly appears, based on whay you have written here, to have some positive effect on you. I have known some people who succumb to the condition for many years but then still go on to live happy and fulfilling lives despite the daily effect of the condition. One or two have got on with married lives. I certainly like the way you've interpreted the BirdFair in a similar fashion to going to school or starting University, or going somewhere out for the day for the very first time. It goes to show no matter what the life constraints it's still possible to achieve a lot either in education and at work, to live a normal, happy fulfilling life. Enjoy the BirdFair, and the natural wonders of the wild world - you cannot beat actually being there yourself to witness and of to take some photographs home with you to look upon again in the future.
Permalink Reply by Cathy Dyason on I will be walking around in the morning depending if I am held up in traffic. The best place to find me is either around the food tent around lunch time or at the wildlife whisper stand/tent. I normally end up doing circuits and going round in circles trying to find places. I am aiming to get there as it is opening then gradually make my way to the whisperer stand at the beginning.
Permalink Reply by Cathy Dyason on Hi Katherine,
Did you have a great time at the Bird fair? I am very sorry that I did not get the chance to say hello. I saw you sat at the front of Simon’s talk but Mum was in a rush to get out at the end of the talk. I was sat in the front row. It was nearly as good a view as where you were sitting. :O)
Permalink Reply by Katherine Emma Birkett on 
Birdfair 2011.jpg, 37 KB © 2012 Created by Wildlife Whisperer - Jason.
