Birds of Wales - The Birds of Wales Project

The Birds of Wales Project

Raising the profile of the value of our wildlife and habitat heritage is more important now than ever, with the State of Nature 2016: Wales report outlining the perilous situation faced by much of Wales' wildlife and noting that we all have "a moral obligation to save nature . . . as it provides us with essential and irreplaceable benefits that support our welfare and livelihoods".
From a desire to do just this was born the concept of the 'Birds of Wales' project, using art as a means, medium and catalyst for educating people about and connecting them with their wildlife and habitat heritage and from which, evidence shows, will grow a long-term interest in nature and the environment.

The backdrop for the project is to be an exhibition of fine and applied art of the 'Birds of Wales' by award-winning artists from across Wales, many of national or international repute.
This exhibition will be staged at Oriel Ynys Môn, the main gallery on the Isle of Anglesey, from 16 September to 5 November 2017, which is appropriate also in relation to Wales' artistic heritage as Charles Tunnicliffe, who was one of the United Kingdom's leading wildlife artists, spent the majority of his artistic years at Shorelands in Malltraeth on the Island.

Engagement with the community will start in June, with visits to schools across Anglesey to promote contact with nature through a presentation about their local wildlife reserve.

Art and poetry competitions will stimulate the children's creative involvement, and there will be opportunities for follow-up visits to both the reserve and the exhibition where the winning entries will be displayed.
In addition, the children will be encouraged to collect a feather to be added to a sculpture of a "Big Bird" which will be displayed throughout the exhibition and will "fly" afterwards to RSPB reserves across Wales.

Throughout the duration of the exhibition, a range of activities will be held in and around the gallery to engage and educate the community about the rich natural wildlife and habitat heritage of the 'Birds of Wales', with emphasis on the habitat and species at the Cors Ddyga, South Stack Cliffs, Valley Wetlands, Cors Goch and Cemlyn Bay reserves on Anglesey.

There will be illustrated talks by specialists on subjects including the unique habitat and bird-scape at each of the reserves, the local heritage of birds in Art and ringing and satellite tracking.
Master classes will inspire with expert tuition in a wide range of mediums and techniques including making a willow bird house.
Sessions for children and families will encourage connection with nature through guided walks, making bird feeders from willow or recycled materials, drawing sound, birdsong and from observation and other creative activities.

In addition, community groups from across north Wales will be invited to artist-led gallery tours and demonstrations.