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| The BTO disapproves of overseas birding holidays to places such as Spain and beyond |
ONE of Britain's leading ornithological organisations has confirmed that, as in the past two years, it will boycott Global Birdfair 2026.
In response to a member's question at last Saturday's annual meeting of the BTO, chief executive Juliet Vickery acknowleged that it had been a "difficult decision" - and not one supported by all those of its staff who had been invited to express an opinion on the matter.
The reason for the snub is the same as in the past - the BTO does not approve of the presence of many birding tour operators who use the event to showcase their overseas holidays.
The Trust believes travel to faraway destinations contributes to one of its bêtes noires - global warming.
At the AGM, Ms Vickery read out the same statement as was issued last year:
"While we recognise that Birdfair provides an important opportunity to meet members and volunteers face to face, our continued investment in other ways to engage with supporters is proving to be a much more effective use of resources.
"With its emphasis on high carbon wildlife tourism, today’s Birdfair has a different focus and feel from earlier years, and there has been a significant decline in the numbers of people attending.
"Given the extent to which BTO work has highlighted the impacts of climate change on birds, and because of our commitment to working sustainably, we no longer feel it is appropriate to take a stand at the event.
"We do recognise the significant contribution the event has made to conservation over so many years and are very grateful for the opportunities that it has provided us over the years."
Ms Vickery said the Trust's members - there are about 16,000 - had other opportunities to meet one another, for instance at the annual conference and at training events.
* Last year's Global Birdfair raised more than £105,000 towards safeguarding seabirds in the Pacific. The 2026 event is due to be held at Lyndon Top, Rutland, between July 10-12.
The Wryneck says: The BTO should re-think its decision.There is plenty of evidence to suggest that gains from global birding - notably through conservation activities, creating jobs and fundraising for nature-friendly causes - far outweigh the losses caused by carbon emissions. What is more, Global Birdfair provides an unrivalled scope to the BTO for showcasing its work and recruiting new members. By persisting with the boycott, the Trust is doing itself, birds and the birding community a serious disservice.
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