BIRD expert and former Goodie Bill Oddie will be the star speaker at the Big Nature Festival, held at Levenhall Lagoons next weekend.

The two-day event, which is being run by wildlife charity RSPB Scotland and includes the Scottish Birdfair, is being held next Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24).

Levenhall Links is widely recognised as one of the best bird watching locations in the country and up to 6,000 people are expected to visit the festival.

Bill will be giving talks on both days will host a book signing for his new collection: ‘Bill Oddie Unplucked’.

The writer, TV presenter and conservationist first rose to fame in the 1970s as one of The Goodies and went on to become one of the UK’s favourite wildlife presenters, regularly fronting shows like Springwatch on BBC2.

Scotland’s Big Nature Festival is now in its fourth year and is coming to East Lothian for the first time.

Over the weekend there will also be a range of other talks from local and international speakers, including Sir John Lister-Kaye; David Lindo, otherwise known as The Urban Birder; and BBC Landward presenter Euan McIlwraith.

The lagoons are a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are teeming with wildlife, including migrating curlews, oystercatchers, sand martins, green and wood sandpipers and a host of resident species like skylarks and reed buntings.

Workshops on offer will include wildlife photography and raptor and wader ID, as well as guided walks, birdwatching for beginners, Scotland’s largest optics demo and a range of activities for families, including pond dipping, bush crafts and a mini-beast hunt.

The event is also part of the Scottish Government’s Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 programme, delivered by VisitScotland and EventScotland, and will include a farmers market, local artisan foods, a bar and live music.

Stuart Housden, RSPB Scotland director, said: “The line-up for Scotland’s Big Nature Festival this year is really impressive, with a great range of expert speakers, and I am delighted Bill Oddie will be with us for the weekend.

“He is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about nature conservation, keen to encourage young people to watch nature, and people love to hear from him.

“That’s exactly what this festival is about – not only does it provide an ideal opportunity for families to enjoy a fun day out in a wildlife rich green space, it allows them to engage with some of Scotland’s top conservationists and learn more about wildlife and what they can do to protect it and give nature a home.” The featured species for the festival this year is the curlew, with all proceeds raised going towards the conservation of this wader and other threatened species in Scotland.

BIRD expert and former Goodie Bill Oddie will be the star speaker at the Big Nature Festival, held at Levenhall Lagoons next weekend.

The two-day event, which is being run by wildlife charity RSPB Scotland and includes the Scottish Birdfair, is being held next Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24).

Levenhall Links is widely recognised as one of the best bird watching locations in the country and up to 6,000 people are expected to visit the festival.

Bill will be giving talks on both days will host a book signing for his new collection: ‘Bill Oddie Unplucked’.

The writer, TV presenter and conservationist first rose to fame in the 1970s as one of The Goodies and went on to become one of the UK’s favourite wildlife presenters, regularly fronting shows like Springwatch on BBC2.

Scotland’s Big Nature Festival is now in its fourth year and is coming to East Lothian for the first time.

Over the weekend there will also be a range of other talks from local and international speakers, including Sir John Lister-Kaye; David Lindo, otherwise known as The Urban Birder; and BBC Landward presenter Euan McIlwraith.

The lagoons are a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are teeming with wildlife, including migrating curlews, oystercatchers, sand martins, green and wood sandpipers and a host of resident species like skylarks and reed buntings.

Workshops on offer will include wildlife photography and raptor and wader ID, as well as guided walks, birdwatching for beginners, Scotland’s largest optics demo and a range of activities for families, including pond dipping, bush crafts and a mini-beast hunt.

The event is also part of the Scottish Government’s Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 programme, delivered by VisitScotland and EventScotland, and will include a farmers market, local artisan foods, a bar and live music.

Stuart Housden, RSPB Scotland director, said: “The line-up for Scotland’s Big Nature Festival this year is really impressive, with a great range of expert speakers, and I am delighted Bill Oddie will be with us for the weekend.

“He is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about nature conservation, keen to encourage young people to watch nature, and people love to hear from him.

“That’s exactly what this festival is about – not only does it provide an ideal opportunity for families to enjoy a fun day out in a wildlife rich green space, it allows them to engage with some of Scotland’s top conservationists and learn more about wildlife and what they can do to protect it and give nature a home.” The featured species for the festival this year is the curlew, with all proceeds raised going towards the conservation of this wader and other threatened species in Scotland.