North West Bird Watching Festival returns bigger than ever this October
Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers are being invited to experience one of the UK's most spectacular wildlife events as the North West Bird Watching Festival returns to WWT Martin Mere on 17 and 18 October 2026 - bigger and better than ever before.
Set against the stunning backdrop of one of Britain's most important wetland habitats, the festival coincides with the arrival of tens of thousands of pink-footed geese and hundreds of whooper swans, whose autumn and winter migration transforms the Lancashire skies into an unforgettable natural spectacle.
Visitors will also have the chance to encounter an incredible array of wetland wildlife, including pintail, wigeon, black-tailed godwit, shelduck and many more species that make Martin Mere a wildlife hotspot during the colder months.
The two-day celebration of wildlife conservation and nature photography will feature an exciting programme of expert guest speakers, hands-on activities, and specialist exhibitors.
Among this year's headline speakers are naturalist and WWT ambassador Lucy Lapwing, award-winning biologist and conservationist Sacha Dench, and ornithologist and wildlife presenter Jack Baddams.
Festival visitors can browse an exhibition hall featuring some of the biggest names in birding, photography, wildlife tourism and conservation. Exhibitors include Sony, Fujifilm UK and Wilkinson Cameras showcasing the latest photography equipment, African Photography Safaris and the Grant Arms Hotel presenting unforgettable wildlife travel experiences, and leading conservation organisations including the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology).
Adding even more excitement to this year's event, Sony has been announced as the official activities sponsor for the festival weekend. Sony will host Sony Alpha Wildlife Photo Walks led by Sony Imaging Ambassador Terry Donnelly.
Terry, renowned for his wildlife imagery and award-winning photography, will also join the guest speaker programme to reveal the techniques behind capturing remarkable wildlife moments and explain how photographers can make the most of the Sony Alpha system in the field.
Participants on the Sony Alpha Wildlife Photo Walks will have the opportunity to get hands-on with Sony's latest cameras and lenses (subject to availability), including cutting-edge technology designed specifically for wildlife photography like AI-powered autofocus for birds and wildlife and pre-capture functionality to help photographers capture split-second moments.
Alongside talks and photography experiences, visitors can enjoy bird ringing demonstrations, guided wildlife walks, expert identification sessions and opportunities to meet leading figures from across the birding and conservation community.
Whether you're an experienced birder, an aspiring wildlife photographer or simply looking for an inspiring day out surrounded by nature, the North West Bird Watching Festival offers a unique opportunity to witness one of the UK's greatest wildlife spectacles while discovering more about birds, conservation and the natural world.
Taking place at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, the festival promises an unforgettable weekend packed with wildlife encounters, expert knowledge, photography and conservation stories.
For the full festival programme and ticket information, visit the WWT Martin Mere website.
