Each year, across three days, the Global Birdfair brings together bird watchers and nature lovers from around the globe for the world’s largest birdwatching and wildlife festival — what many refer to as “the Glastonbury of the birding world”.
The festival is run by likeminded volunteers, with proceeds from this year’s show going toward the Global Birdfair 2026 Conservation Project: Preventing Island Extinctions. Find out more about the project here.
We are returning for the fourth year running as thermal sponsors of the festival and this time we’re bringing some friends with us!
We’ll be hosting a wide range of events, including Q&A panels, presentations, and thermal nature walks. We’ll also be joining ecologist Naomi Davis for a thermal assisted bat walk. Check out our schedule below.
Pulsar Wildlife will be on stand F7 in the Falcon Marquee all weekend at the Global Birdfair.
Get your tickets now
Shelby Grant is a 16-year-old wildlife photographer whose passion for nature and photography began in 2023 after picking up his father’s old camera. Since then, he has immersed himself in wildlife photography and bird watching, spending as much time as possible outdoors capturing unique moments in nature.
Callum Perry has spent the best part of the past decade living and working in Southern Africa as a safari guide and wildlife conservationist. Now based in the UK, he works as a safari specialist, helping people find the perfect African safari experience.
Boris Belchev is a passionate wildlife photographer whose love of nature began in childhood. Since first photographing wildlife in 2004, he has been inspired by birdwatching and exploring wild places. Birds remain his favourite subjects, reflecting his fascination with nature’s remarkable diversity and beauty.
Dom Davies is a wildlife filmmaker, content creator & naturalist who started his career working at the BBC’s Natural History Unit on shows such as BBC Two’s ‘The Watches’ & BBC One’s Planet Earth 3 with David Attenborough, as well as on shows for National Geographic, ITV and PBS. More recently he has produced and is principal wildlife camera operator on CH5’s “Sam & Ade Go Birding”. Find him on socials as @MrNaturalHistory.
Naomi Davis is a passionate ecologist and wildlife educator. Licensed to work with bats and great crested newts, she is also the BTO Regional Representative for Cardiganshire and chairs both the Wildlife Trust North Ceredigion Group and North Ceredigion Bat Group.
A founder of the West Midlands Ringing Group, Paul Hopwood has been ringing birds since 2013. A dedicated bird ringer and keen ornithologist, Paul has been at the forefront of thermal imaging for bird ringing, helping showcase its potential worldwide and transforming the way birds are studied and monitored.
10:00 – 10:30
Understanding Thermal Imaging: Technical Workshop with Pulsar Wildlife Experts
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Ever wondered why your thermal imager freezes? Want to know how to connect your device to your phone? Stuck with a fuzzy image and you don’t know why? Our team of experts will be at the show all weekend providing a short workshop and Q&A, providing tricks and tips on how to get the best performance out of your thermal imager.
11:00 – 11:30
West Midlands Ringing Group: Pioneers of Thermal Imaging for Bird Ringing with Paul Hopwood
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
The West Midlands Ringing Group are pioneers of thermal imaging devices for bird ringing, utilising Pulsar Wildlife devices to aid their conservation efforts. Join Ben Dolan to learn about how their results have grown exponentially since the inception of thermal imaging in their work.
12:00 – 12:30
Seeing the Unseen: How Thermal Imaging Changed the Way I Work with James Cook
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
James Cook (WildlifeWithCookie on YouTube) talks about how thermal imaging has been a game changer for his work, improving his detection and tracking capabilities exponentially when searching for rare and non-native species here in the UK and over in Africa on his recent travels.
13:00 – 13:30
Hidden in Plain Sight: Discovering Your Local Wildlife with Shelby Grant
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Wildlife photographer Shelby Grant shares how patience, fieldcraft, and time spent exploring his local area have led to some of his most memorable wildlife encounters, discussing how a Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging device can be one of the greatest tools to support local wildlife watching and photography — revealing hidden activity and opening your eyes to the incredible wildlife living right on your doorstep.
14:15 – 14:45
A Must-Have Tool for a Wildlife Filmmaker with Dom Davies
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Wildlife filmmaker Dom Davies shares how Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging devices are changing the way he works in the field. Drawing on his experiences in wildlife television production, Dom will discuss how lightweight thermal devices help locate and count animals, reveal hidden nocturnal behaviours, and support filming projects from bird roosts to reedbed searches. He’ll also explore the benefits of combining thermal imaging with acoustic tools such as the Echo2 bat detector, offering new perspectives on the natural world after dark.
15:00 – 15:30
A Game Changer for Night Safaris with Callum Perry
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Callum Perry explores how Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging devices have transformed his night-time safari experiences. Covering both night drives and sleepouts, Callum will discuss the limitations of traditional spotlights, their impact on wildlife behaviour, and how thermal imaging binoculars enable the observation of nocturnal animals naturally and unobtrusively, creating a more immersive and responsible safari experience.
16:00 – 16:30
Overcoming Nature Guiding Challenges & Reducing Pressure on Sensitive Species with Boris Belchev
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Nature guide and wildlife photographer Boris Belchev explores how thermal imaging technology enhances guided nature experiences, supports conservation efforts, and enables guides to locate and interpret wildlife safely and efficiently. Discover how Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging devices can reduce environmental impact while increasing observation opportunities.
17:00 – 17:30
Edge of Extinction: Kākāpō Comeback — Film Screening with James Cook
Owl Workshop
Join us in the Owl Workshop for an exciting film screening with James Cook (Wildlife with Cookie) as he teams up with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation to track down and meet one of the world’s rarest birds, the Kākāpō.
This screening will be followed by a Q&A.
21:00 – 22:30
Thermal Bat Walk with Naomi Davis
Osprey Events Stage
We’re joining ecologist Naomi Davis for a guided bat walk through the area surrounding the Global Birdfair site. Equipped with all the latest thermal imaging devices from Pulsar Wildlife, we’re offering the chance to see thermal in action, allowing you to learn about the unseen side of nocturnal wildlife. Bat detectors will also be available, or you are welcome to bring your own!
10:30 – 11:00
West Midlands Ringing Group: Pioneers of Thermal Imaging for Bird Ringing with Paul Hopwood
Avocet Stage
The West Midlands Ringing Group are pioneers of thermal imaging devices for bird ringing, utilising Pulsar Wildlife devices to aid their conservation efforts. Join Paul Hopwood to learn about how their results have grown exponentially since the inception of thermal imaging in their work.
11:00 – 11:30
Seeing the Unseen: How Thermal Imaging Changed the Way I Work with James Cook
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
James Cook (WildlifeWithCookie on YouTube) talks about how thermal imaging has been a game changer for his work, improving his detection and tracking capabilities exponentially when searching for rare and non-native species here in the UK and over in Africa on his recent travels.
12:00 – 12:30
The Impact of Thermal Imaging on Conservation & Wildlife Crime Prevention with Boris Belchev
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Discover how thermal imaging is being used to support disturbance-free monitoring of rare and sensitive species while also helping to reduce wildlife crime. Boris Belchev will discuss the practical applications of Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging devices in conservation work, habitat monitoring, and wildlife crime prevention — exploring how thermal technology can assist in gathering reliable information and protecting vulnerable wildlife.
13:30 – 14:00
Hidden in Plain Sight: Discovering Your Local Wildlife with Shelby Grant
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Wildlife photographer Shelby Grant shares how patience, fieldcraft, and time spent exploring his local area have led to some of his most memorable wildlife encounters, discussing how a Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging device can be one of the greatest tools to support local wildlife watching and photography — revealing hidden activity and opening your eyes to the incredible wildlife living right on your doorstep.
14:00 – 15:30
Thermal Guided Nature Walk with James Cook & Shelby Grant
Meet at the Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Join James Cook, Shelby Grant, and Pulsar Wildlife on a thermal guided nature walk through the area surrounding the Global Birdfair. James and Shelby will be bringing some of the latest thermal imaging kit with them for you to try out.
This event is not ticketed, but we ask that attendees arrive promptly on the Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee at 13:55).
15:00 – 15:30
Understanding Thermal Imaging: Technical Workshop with Pulsar Wildlife Experts
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Ever wondered why your thermal imager freezes? Want to know how to connect your device to your phone? Stuck with a fuzzy image and you don’t know why? Our team of experts will be at the show all weekend providing a short workshop and Q&A, providing tricks and tips on how to get the best performance out of your thermal imager.
16:00 – 16:30
A Game Changer for Night Safaris with Callum Perry
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Callum Perry explores how Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging devices have transformed his night-time safari experiences. Covering both night drives and sleepouts, Callum will discuss the limitations of traditional spotlights, their impact on wildlife behaviour, and how thermal imaging binoculars enable the observation of nocturnal animals naturally and unobtrusively, creating a more immersive and responsible safari experience.
11:00 – 11:30
Seeing the Unseen: How Thermal Imaging Changed the Way I Work with James Cook
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
James Cook (WildlifeWithCookie on YouTube) talks about how thermal imaging has been a game changer for his work, improving his detection and tracking capabilities exponentially when searching for rare and non-native species here in the UK and over in Africa on his recent travels.
12:00 – 12:30
Understanding Thermal Imaging: Technical Workshop with Pulsar Wildlife Experts
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Ever wondered why your thermal imager freezes? Want to know how to connect your device to your phone? Stuck with a fuzzy image and you don’t know why? Our team of experts will be at the show all weekend providing a short workshop and Q&A, providing tricks and tips on how to get the best performance out of your thermal imager.
13:30 – 14:00
Hidden in Plain Sight: Discovering Your Local Wildlife with Shelby Grant
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Wildlife photographer Shelby Grant shares how patience, fieldcraft, and time spent exploring his local area have led to some of his most memorable wildlife encounters, discussing how a Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging device can be one of the greatest tools to support local wildlife watching and photography — revealing hidden activity and opening your eyes to the incredible wildlife living right on your doorstep.
14:00- 15:30
Thermal Guided Nature Walk with James Cook & Shelby Grant
Meet at the Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Join James Cook, Shelby Grant, and Pulsar Wildlife on a thermal guided nature walk through the area surrounding the Global Birdfair. James and Shelby will be bringing some of the latest thermal imaging kit with them for you to try out.
This event is not ticketed, but we ask that attendees arrive promptly on the Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee at 13:55).
15:45 – 16:15
A Whale Watcher’s Best Friend: Using Thermal to Spot Whales & Wildlife in the Barents Sea with Boris Belchev
Pulsar Stand (F7 in the Falcon Marquee)
Join Boris Belchev as he explores how the Pulsar Wildlife Ventex thermal imaging binoculars can support whale watching and wildlife observation in the challenging conditions of Arctic Norway’s Barents Sea. Find out how thermal binoculars can help guides scan wide areas, detect heat signatures in low light or poor visibility, and observe more comfortably over longer periods.
If you are worried about signal at the Global Birdfair, please open each day’s schedule and screenshot to save to your phone.
Friday 10/07
Saturday 11/07
Sunday 12/07
Join us on Saturday and Sunday for our thermal nature walks. Hosted by James Cook (Wildlife with Cookie) and Shelby Grant (ShelbyGrantPhotography), these walks are the perfect opportunity to see thermal in action and truly understand how Pulsar Wildlife devices are designed to enhance your birdwatching experience.
Our nature walks are scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get to grips with our devices and take in the picturesque scenery of Rutland Waters and the area surrounding the Global Birdfair.
These events are not ticketed, but we do ask that attendees meet at the Pulsar Wildlife stand (F7 in the Falcon marquee) in plenty of time to allow for a prompt departure.
Take a look at the devices we’ll be bringing to the show. Every device will be available for hands-on demonstrations on the Pulsar Wildlife stand, with an open viewing section overlooking the tree line surrounding the event — perfect for thermal nature observation on the day!
