Hamza Yassin to speak at bird festival at Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor, near the Oxfordshire border, has organised a range of bird-themed exhibits, interactive events and activities from May 22 until October 27 for Flights of Fancy.

One of the main events will take place on June 8, when Hamza Yassin will be giving a 45-minute talk titled 'My Life Behind the Lens'.

Waddesdon Manor (Image: Waddesdon Image Library/Merriman Photography)

He will be exploring his love of the natural world and wildlife and will also be signing copies of his book 'Be a Birder'.

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to experience the recently restored 19th-century aviary at the manor, home to hundreds of exotic and endangered bird species.

Visitors can enjoy close encounters with the rare Socorro Dove, the Painted Bunting, which is a mix of blue, red, yellow and green, and the Indian Hill Mynahs.

An interactive art installation, Tell it to the Birds, created by artist Jenny Kendler, will translate spoken words into bird song.

The gardens feature 3D bird sculptures and a living mosaic made of more than 25,000 plants.

There will also be an exhibition about the artistry of bird-painter, Louis-Denis Armand, with nearly 50 pieces loaned from the painter's private collection.

In addition, paper artist Andy Singleton has created bird sculptures throughout the manor, inspired by its collection, the aviary, and Armand’s art.