Ubatuba Birdwatching Centre

In the UK we received a number of donations, we would like to warmly thank the following for their thoughtfulness and generosity:

Nigel Redman of A&C Black publishers, London – 5 books; Birds of Northern South America Parts I & II; Parrots; Pigeons and Doves and Thrushes.

Peter Johnson, Stanmore, Middx – 2 Nikon coolpix S3000 digital cameras for use on a joint project.

Martin Simpson and Delaney Burke of Arcacell, London – Sponsorship of birding vests and embroidered logos for 10 children.

Barbara and Jasmin Sparling, of The Fashion Sisters, Milton Keynes, Bucks – £75.00 for the purchase of Neotropical Bird Club Cotinga back issues for the UBWC library.

George and Barbara Simpson, Newport Pagnell, Bucks – £560.00 sponsorship of vehicle for UBWC use in the UK; 20 x 60 Optolyth Ceralin telescope.

John McLoughlin, (at the BBF) – 10 x 43 binoculars.

Juha Honkala, of Portal do Bosque, Finland – A copy of his new book A birdwatching guide to South-East Brazil.

Tomas Sigrist, of Avisbrasilis, Vinhedo, São Paulo – Book Prizes for Raffle Field Guide to the birds of Brazil and The birds of Fernando de Noronha.

Jeremy Minns, São Paulo, São Paulo – A copy of the new DVD as a raffle prize Birds of Brazil, songs, calls and photos.

This year UBWC/Dacnis attended the BBF for the first time as stand-holders. What a great experience it was too. A lot of hard work went into the preparation but the reaction we got from the public at the event made it all worthwhile. The BBF is the biggest birdfair in the world and of course was the first, having been running for over 20 years.

The UBWC away team, Odette, Elis, Rick and Elsie.

We made lots of really useful contacts and many, many new friends, we were overwhelmed by the support our project received and it really gave us a needed boost to morale. Over 500 people signed our book in support of the projects we are, or will be, carrying out to bring greater local awareness to the plight of the forest that surrounds us. We had people volunteering to come out and help us in our work (we are happy to receive more offers if you want to come over and help), we received donations both financial and otherwise and some pledges for donations that we’ll hopefully receive when folk return to their respective country or office.

Over 500 people signed the book of support.

We held a successful raffle, the first prize was a free stay the the UBWC that was won by John Fendick of Budleigh Salterton in Devon;, second prize was the Sigrist field guide to the birds of Brazil, won by Chris Smith of Aye, Suffolk; third prize was the new DVD by Jeremy Minns et al about the birds of eastern and southern Brazil won by Eddie Myers of Cley, Norfolk and the 4th prize was the book about the birds of Fernando do Noronha won by John Knight of Stokesley, Cleveland. The books were kindly donated by Avisbrasilis and the DVD by Jeremy Minns.

John Fendick, the winner of the free stay in the UBWC.

Our sponsors:

The INFORMATION banner was sponsored by RICK SIMPSON BIRDING SERVICES; the EDUCATION banner was sponsored by the POUSADA RECANTO DAS PALMEIRAS; the PRESERVATION banner was sponsored by the RESTAURANTE 100 MISÉRIA. Our thanks go to them all for their generous support and for believing in our project.

The HELP banner was not sponsored but dedicated to the memory of the late DINAH ESTHER PATRICIA DEAN without whose generosity none of this would have happened, with additional special thanks to SONIA ROTENBERG for her constant and generous support. The middle banner was provided by ITAMAMBUCA ECO-RESORT, we thank them for their generous contribution. The TAMAR PROJECT banner was sponsored by the UBATUBA AQUARIUM.

The SERRA DO MAR STATE PARK: PICINGUABA NUCLEUS provided us with a banner with some very useful additional information about the Atlantic forest.

Some views of the fair:

The lecture marquee with a well attended talk in progress.

The famous 'Birdfair mural', a work of art in progress.

An enthusiast filled marquee 5 where the UBWC/Dacnis stand was situated.

All hands on deck!

Some old friends:

Writer and TV presenter David Lindo who was celebrating his birthday...

... Arthur Grosset who stopped by to collect some of the fabulous new DVDs of Brazilian birds...

... and of course Tim Appleton who is responsible for us all being there in the first place.

A new friend:

John McLoughlin presenting Elis with a pair of binoculars for use at the centre, thanks John, much appreciated.

Time to relax:

The crew enjoy a splendid meal and a good old British pint after a long day on their feet.

All photos © Rick and Elis Simpson.