Global Birdfair 2026 and more

I had a brilliant time, as always, at Global Birdfair 2026. It was busy, with lots of people and activities throughout the weekend.  Proud to represent Birds of the World/The Cornell Lab of Ornithology again. I was humbled to join the Cornell superstar team - Ian, Alli, Mitch, Iain, Stephen and Alex. We spent all weekend talking to folks about birds, science, conservation and people - so much fun. Of course, most conversations began with 'I use Merlin and it's amazing'. Incredible how popular Merlin is in the UK. Fun fact - on some days, around special birding events, Merlin is the most downloaded app in the UK!

The awesome power couple, Tim and Penny, that run Global Birdfair (with hundreds of fantastic volunteers), came down to our stand for a friendly visit.  Note that 60% of the people in this photo are in shorts - the first day was scorching hot; inside the marquees it was steaming. In the next days the weather improved significantly.

Ian looking very professional here (he is), unintimidated by the monstrous Dartford Warbler in the background, threatening to predate him 

I gave one presentation, about the present and future of Birds of the World. Thanks Mark for the snap.

Speaking of Mark, Global Birdfair is always special because of the great friends from all over the world. Some of my favourite humans globally were there, for example Amity, and Mark from the internet. So much love to all of my friends - you're the best.

Here they are again with Petra of Swarovski Optik.

Huge thanks to Swarovski Optik for hosting the Cornell stand again. The collaboration between Swarovski Optik and the Cornell Lab is so important and amazing. I was thrilled to use the new Swarovski scope, the AT Endura. It's super sharp, lightweight and compact - launched in September, surely it will be popular.

It was great to meet new friends, legends in this case. First, the mandatory Bonner Black selfie:

Bonner is awesome. We had a chance to hang out together for a bit, which was great fun. She gave a fantastic, albeit short show, playing some of her popular songs. I especially enjoyed her version of The Beatle's 'Blackbird'.

Another legend I had a chance to finally meet in person was Kenn Kaufman. I felt ashamed to ask for a selfie with him... Maybe when he comes to Israel. Here he is with another legend, and friend, Stephen Moss, talking about his birding and his books.

While I was not waving the Israel flag, it was my pleasure to feel part of the BirdLife family at Global Birdfair. There were representatives of 17 BirdLife partners, and I was honoured to join the VIP lunch with some of BirdLife International's most important partners and supporters. Thanks Martin for inviting me.

The conservation cause for Global Birdfair 2026 was the special and threatened birds and habitats of São Tomé and Principe. It was wonderful to meet the dedicated conservationists who came over to talk about their work. The mural created by top talented artists was stunning.

While mid July isn't the most exciting time of year for birding in the UK, birding was done, to enjoy what there is to see, while keeping my eBirding streak. I birded different sections of Rutland Water, and Eyebrook Reservoir. Some early returning shorebirds were nice, and plastic waterfowl are always fun. The most exciting observations I had during GBF were a roding Woodcock that flew over the road one evening on the way back to the accommodation, and a Turtle Dove that flew over the grounds.

Mandarin Duck

Canada X Græylag Goose hybrid

Since my return home I was asked by many people in Israel how did it feel to be an Israeli at Global Birdfair. I can report here that I had zero unfriendly encounters. On the contrary, I felt so much appreciation to what BirdLife Israel is doing. So many birders miss birding in Israel. I am sure that when things calm down over here, international birders will return.

After Global Birdfair I headed over to Norfolk, where I stayed with Mike and Deborah - thank you! I spent two full days visiting friends and birding. I am embarrassed that I twitched the long-staying Black-winged Kite near Sea Palling. I see them in Israel on a daily basis. As this is still such a rare bird in the UK, and I was in the area already, I thought it would be rude no to. It took a bit of searching, until I finally spotted it from a huge distance. Probably more significant observations to the region were two Corn Buntings, and a Western Yellow Wagtail.

Volume up - nice commentary by other twitchers

On my final morning, en route to Stansted Airport, I visiting Cattawade, Manningtree, with Mike, for the Hudsonian Godwit. We found it fairly quickly, feeding on a flooded saltmarsh, locally known as North Marsh. We had great views with an assembling crowd. Light conditions were harsh, and it was a bit distant, but hey ho - super bird.

Hudsonian Godwit was not a global lifer for me - I saw one near Melbourne, Australia in January 2000... Excellent UK and WP bird nevertheless.

And that was that. Great experience both at Global Birdfair and after that. eBird trip report here. Until next time!

Global Birdfair and elsewhere in the UK

Sorry for the delayed update, in recent weeks I have been super busy, and also lost some motivation to photograph birds and especially to use social media. The combination of super hot weather my crazy country falling apart makes me want to dig a cool burrow and jump right in. As long as I can still bird in it... My birding is concentrated to super early morning sessions - later on it becomes unbearably hot and sticky. 

I visited the UK earlier in July. The visit was focused on Global Birdfair, that happened in Rutland Showground during July 14-16. I am late to the party - so much has been written on social media about this event. So many selfies... I travelled there with Alen from my team, and we represented BirdLife Israel at this fantastic event. We promoted there our conservation work, including Champions of the Flyway: The new project for COTF24 was launched - tackling illegal killing of birds in Tanzania, working with Nature Tanzania. How exciting!

The new Birdfair was a great success, in my opinion. Tim, Penny and their team managed to generate the hype, the buzz that was so distinctive in the 'old' British Birdfair. It felt very 'right' to be there - it certainly was THE place to be. Great to hang out with so many friends from all over the world. My selfie motivation has dwindled too, so not many photos from birdfair.

Damn it, it had to be done

I enjoyed the VR birding experience offered by the talented Sounding Wild brothers - very cool! Can't wait to get you guys down to Eilat for some reeeaaaal migration.

Everyone complained about the weather. I loved it! Such a welcome respite from the heat in Israel. Good to see wetland restoration happening in real-time.

Of course, early morning birding had to be done. En route, Alen and I stopped at Grafham Water, where we were glad to relocate the Lesser Scaup that had gone missing for a few days. Too distant for photos but a welcome WP tick for me. Somehow I managed not to see one during my four years in the UK.

Birdfair morning sessions were dedicated to checking different Rutland Water hides - I actually enjoyed birding there quite much. I screwed up a possible Pec on July 16th, out of Dunlin hide. It was distant but looked good in the bins. By the time I got the baby scope on it, crows flushed it and it was lost.

I like it!
Enjoyed birding Rutland Water NR using this @SwarovskiOptik baby. Now heading to @GlobalBirdfair - final day. @Team_eBird checklist streak secured. But who will be eBirder of Birdfair? pic.twitter.com/16KlJS1V3l

— Yoav Perlman (@yoavperlman) July 16, 2023

Then Alen and I continued to London for two days of meetings with supporters there. The meetings went well. Early morning birding sessions were done in Totteridge Valley, not far from where I was staying, they were OK too. Firecrest was the best, Mandarin was a photo tick...

Then I went to Norwich, oh Norwich... A couple more days with friends, beach walk, birding and beer. Another Lesser Scaup on Colney Pits, again too distant for photos. Enjoy this Norwich soundscape - I appreciate Groppers. Haven't seen one in Israel yet - maybe this year?

Back home in Israel, migration is picking up, mostly shorebirds at the moment. See you again when I find the energy to pick the camera up.