Birdland's 50th Anniversary

30 June to 1 July – Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water will be celebrating 50 years of success this month, with a line-up of activities and experiences worth making more than a flying visit for.

For a weekend of family fun with friends of the feathered variety, look no further than Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water, who will be celebrating their 50 year anniversary from Saturday June 30 to Sunday July 1.

To mark the milestone in the centre’s history, there will be daily bird of prey encounters where visitors will get a rare chance to get up close to the owls and hawks swooping in on the celebrations. A number of informative penguin talks have been arranged for visitors wishing to find out more about the centre’s three penguin species.

There is a chance to meet, and quiz, the expert keepers if you have a burning bird-related question you need answering, and if you’re feeling brave, you can get a hand’s on experience with the centre’s resident reptiles – including lizard and snake species. The little ones should also love taking part in the mask making workshops, scheduled Punch and Judy puppet shows and balloon modelling.

As well as the activities arranged for the special weekend, visitors will also be able to take advantage of Birdland’s permanent attractions which include being home to more than 500 birds – including flamingos, pelicans, parrots, toucans, and waterfowl, not to mention the only King penguin colony in England. What’s more all of the special entertainment is included in the usual admission price, so there’s even more to celebrate in Bourton this summer.

Event: Birdland 50th anniversary celebrations
Venue: Birdland
Date: Saturday 30 June and Sunday 31 July 2007
Times: From 10am to 6pm daily
Tickets: Admission costs £5.25 for adults, £4.25 for concessions, £3.25 for children aged 4 to 14, with under 4s free. Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £15.50.

Michelle Byrne
21 June 2007