If you are passionate about ornithology and would like to connect with nature, the Delta Birding Festival (DBF) will be held September 20-22. It is a must-attend event for bird lovers. Coinciding with the migration season of many species, the festival will take place at MónNatura Delta de l’Ebre. It is a unique environment located between the Tancada lagoon and the Trabucador bar, within the Ebro Delta Natural Park. During these days, the space will bring together professional ornithologists, amateurs, nature photographers, naturalists and families interested in nature tourism, as well as people looking to get closer to nature through birdwatching.
Delta Birding Festival
Francesc Kirchner, director of the DBF, describes the event as “the annual meeting point for most bird and nature enthusiasts in general”. The festival has experienced a remarkable growth from its first edition, which was attended by around a thousand people, to last year’s edition, where more than 4,000 people attended. According to Kirchner, interest in ornithology has grown considerably in recent years, and the pandemic played a key role in this increase, as many people rediscovered the natural life around them. “The festival has grown along with the interest in ornithology, becoming a landmark event,” he adds.
Organized by Oryx-La Tienda del Amante de la Naturaleza, the Catalan Institute of Ornithology (ICO), Photo-Logistics and the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, the Delta Birding Festival has consolidated in its 10 years of existence as a key event for the observation, conservation and study of birds. José David Muñoz, journalist and head of the program “La radio del somormujo”, dedicated to the dissemination of the world of birds, says that the festival is a must not only for ornithologists, but also for families who want to enjoy nature in the Ebro Delta.
Activities for all audiences
The festival has an extensive program of activities, with almost 40 different proposals. From conferences and workshops, such as bird watching, sound recording, trail tracking or night outings, to exhibitions and book presentations. There will also be guided tours and specialized activities such as Delta Photo Tours, which include visits to reserves and boat trips. Families and beginners in the world of ornithology will also be able to enjoy practical workshops, such as bird banding or the construction of nest boxes. In addition, MónNatura Delta del Ebro will attract more than 60 exhibitors presenting products of interest to naturalists, from observation optics to books and nature tourism destinations.
One of the most unique aspects of the DBF is that proceeds from ticket sales go to conservation projects. This year, the funds raised will go to the “Sponsor a Mussolera Shingle” project, which seeks to improve the breeding of the barn owl (Athene noctua). According to Kirchner, this is one of the particularities that make the DBF a special event, as it combines a passion for nature with an active commitment to conservation.
Speakers
Delta Birding Festival 2024 will feature renowned speakers in the field of ornithology and conservation. These include wildlife photographer Jari Peltomäki, young ornithologist and activist Mya-Rose Craig, known as “Birdgirl”, Nils van Duivendijk, author of the “Handbook of European Birds”, and ornithologist Séan Ronayne, who is nearing completion of his project to record the sound of 200 bird species in Ireland. In addition, the DBF Junior, which is celebrating its third edition, will feature presentations by four young ornithologists under the age of 18, who will share their experiences and their relationship with the world of birds.
In this special 10th anniversary edition of the festival, there will be a celebration open to the public, including live music and open-air cinema. On Friday night, the group “El Pony Pisador” will give a concert at the Els Eucaliptus housing development, performing songs from their latest album, “Pájaros” (Birds), which is dedicated to birds. On Saturday, the festival will continue with an open-air cinema session in Poblenou del Delta. These proposals seek to encourage interest in nature and raise awareness about the importance of preserving habitats and biodiversity.
Image courtesy of https://deltabirdingfestival.com, all rights reserved.
