Join the Rare Bird Club

Who we are

The Rare Bird Club is for keen birders, conservationists and nature lovers from all over the globe, who gather for birding trips, fundraising events and to share their love of wildlife and the natural environment.

People also join because they care about the future of the planet and know that being a Rare Bird Club member and supporting BirdLife International makes a difference in species survival.

How it began

The Rare Bird Club was established in 1988 by BirdLife International with the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands as its Honorary President and Jane Fenton as the current Vice-President. Today there are more than 400 members from 40 different countries. The club is seeking a member for each of the 1200 or so threatened bird species on the planet, so we are already a third of the way there.

Who benefits

Members come from many walks of life. There are three levels of membership, each a distinct and essential component of the Rare Bird Club.

Rare Bird Club Founder Member

Joining fee: £5,000/€7,500/US$10,000; Annual fee: £500/€750/US$1,000

These sums go towards BirdLife International’s core activities, to support the Secretariat, scientific research, priority international projects and advocacy work.

Rare Bird Club Partner Member

Joining fee: £10,000/€14,500/US$15,000; Annual fee £1,000/€1,500/US$2,000

These sums can be split, with half going towards BirdLife International’s core activities and the other half used to fund a regional or local conservation project being undertaken by a BirdLife Partner of the member's choice, and with whom a member may have an association.

Rare Bird Club Presidents’Circle

Joining fee: £25,000/€35,000/US$50,000; Annual fee £5,000/€7,500/US$10,000

This highest level of membership provides the opportunity take commitment to a level where it can impact on the BirdLife Partnership’s global strategy.

Support at this level is recognized each year at a special appreciation dinner hosted by the Honorary President of BirdLife International, HIH Princess Takamado of Japan or by the Honorary Presidents of the Rare Bird Club, Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson.

All new members “adopt” a bird from BirdLife's official list of Globally Threatened Birds and receive a painting of their chosen species by a recognised wildlife artist.

Without the generous support given by Rare Bird Club members, many of BirdLife International’s past achievements would not have been possible.

What the Rare Bird Club does

The club organises events and field trips to different parts of the world. Members gather to share their experiences and love of birds and nature at social events, as well as going to exciting and out-of-the-way places to do birdwatching. The club makes a point of arranging social events and excursions to places not always accessible to the general public, and with first class guides to accompany groups on the ground. The atmosphere is usually informal and relaxed.

What sort of programme we offer

Recently the Club has organised dinners and fundraising events in New York and London hosted by Queen Noor, a reception at Prince Bernhard's Palace in the Netherlands, and with Princess von Hohenberg at the Palais Schwarzenberg in Vienna, Austria. Members have gone to the Seychelles, Spain, Jordan and the Antarctic on trips. In Spain, the Rare Bird Club enjoyed golf on the famous Valderrama course and horseback riding in the Andalusian hills, as well as some serious birding.

In 2001, we held a weekend in the French Camargue in May as guests of Luc and Andre Hoffmann, with the chance to see local rare birds and a colony of over 10,000 nesting Greater Flamingos. In January 2002 the Rare Bird Club held a reception, hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales, at St James's Palace, in London for 120 guests in support of BirdLife International's Save the Albatross campaign.

How to join

To request a copy of our information pack please email the Rare Bird Club at rarebirdclub@birdlife.org giving your name and full address.

You can also contact the Rare Bird Club's Salome Allsop or Peter Hendley by telephone on: +44 (0) 1223 277318

BirdLife International is a recognized charity allowing favorable tax status in countries where it is registered (e.g. UK and USA) with documentation available for interested parties.

Rare Bird Club Officers

Honorary Presidents (joint)
Ms Margaret Atwood, Canada
Mr Graeme Gibson, Canada

Honorary Patrons
HSH Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein
Sir David Attenborough, UK
Mr André Hoffmann, Switzerland
Lady Vereker, Bermuda

Founder President
HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands

Vice President Emeritus
Miss Jane Fenton, UK

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