Nature has always inspired creativity for me. From my first school poetry attempts describing seasonal changes, to university studies into natural plant dyes. I have always returned to wildlife for guidance and influence. In my growing connectivity to the RSPB and a beloved interest in the animals they protect, I have rekindled a joy for observational drawing and painting. Looking for details in different species to create a better likeness, is expanding my awareness and knowledge of the birds i see everyday and some i have yet to discover.
Watercolours can be hard to master, but anyone with a little time and a paintbrush can create (however abstract) some resemblance of a tree, a feather, an insect.
In the process of creating something that has come from the environment around us, we can hope to understand more the importance that they have in our lives and our connection to nature as a whole.
As I want to improve my skills more I will be continuing to study and spend more time around some of the ‘characters’ at the RSPB reserves, but for now I wanted to share with you a few of our star visitors, and then maybe can create some nature inspired art of your own.
kingfisher - alcedo atthis One of the most recognisable British birds you’ll spot at Fairburn Ings, or if you’re me, you’ll see a very striking flash of blue as it shoots past your vision and then disappears. Most often it can be seen when peeping through the kingfisher screen along Riverbank trail
willow tit - poecile montanus
This easily overlooked bird is on the RSPB red list after a decline of 95% in 20 years but at Fairburn Ings it can be spotted at the feeders right outside the visitors centre
Features - white/grey body, black head with light brown feathers
green woodpecker - picus viridis
Mostly sighted around Riverbank trail and Coal Tips trail, hunting for its favourite yellow meadow ants.
spoonbill - platalea leucorodia
Recently a more regular visitor, last year spoonbills bred at Fairburn Ings, the first successful breeding on an RSPB reserve and a first for Yorkshire. There was excitement all round to see the 3 baby ‘teaspoons’ Hopefully this year we may spot them again, especially after last year's success on the Moat and aptly named Spoonbill flash
magpie - pica pica
A usually common British bird with an intelligent and sometimes arrogant personality. I couldn't create the stars of Fairburn Ings without including the resident magpie Max, whom is well known for strutting freely around the visitor centre trying to steal everyone's lunch
We’d love to hear from you if you’ve had any artistic creations inspired from the reserves and the wildlife at home there.
Coming soon will be my collection of equally exciting stars from St Aidan’s reserve and more news and sightings from the Aire valley as a whole.