It’s been another scorcher of a week in Silverdale, but the beating sun hasn’t deterred the wildlife (or, indeed, the visitors). The emergence of dragonflies and damselflies has brought about regular sightings of Hobbies, feasting in flight over the pools. Ospreys are seen fishing multiple times per day as the adults provision for hungry chicks. Views of Otters are becoming more regular; after a few months of these mammals being incognito, visitors are now getting sightings from Causeway Hide on most days. On Saturday 11, Reed Warblers across the reserve were sent into a frenzy, as a Cuckoo called across the site throughout the day. That evening, a Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling on the Causeway.
The salt marsh pools have been packed full of Little Egrets, with numbers regularly being in the fifties! They have intermittently been joined by Spoonbills, with two individuals present on the furthest pool at the time of writing. On Sunday 11, a Sandwich Tern was seen cruising over the pools - an unusual visitor for Leighton Moss. Avocet chicks are still thriving, with numbers still in the forties. (Sandwich Tern by Jarrod Sneyd)
On Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June, we will be hosting Silverdale Art Trail. RSPB Leighton Moss is a venue for the trail each year, and this year there will be some familiar faces exhibiting. In this blog post, we are joined by ex-Warden and current volunteer, David Mower…
I am David Mower, a familiar face to many good friends who have visited Leighton Moss regularly over many years, as I was the reserve warden for over thirty years until retirement in 2014. Typically seen in thigh waders and clothes covered in mud, brandishing scrub cutter or chain saw to manage the reed beds for the benefit of the wildlife, you may not appreciate that I also have an artistic side.
From an early age, as well as my love of birds, I had an interest in, and modest ability for sculpture and painting. Eventually, as a nature reserve warden with RSPB, in my free time, I also worked as a freelance artist, specialising in making life sized models of birds and other natural history subjects for dioramas in museums and visitor centres. I received many commissions from RSPB and undertook work across Britain and internationally. Highlights were work for St Helena Island in the South Atlantic and a major seabird diorama involving seventy seabird models for a museum on Valencia Island in Southern Ireland.
Since retirement, I now divide my time between volunteering for RSPB at Leighton Moss and my art work (2024 will be my 60th year of working for RSPB). At this point, I gave up making bird models and now concentrate on bird painting, mostly in watercolour. A long involvement with birds, handling them for ringing, and owning a large collection of birds wings has given me an intimate knowledge of my subjects. All my pictures are based on my own field sketches, which means my birds are always portrayed in fine detail and true to life. I never copy from photographs. The composition of the picture is important to me. This is always carefully considered, and the colours of the backgrounds aim to complement the subject. For example, in the swallows the forks in the branches mirror the forked tails of the birds. In the nuthatches, the colour of the fungi on the tree trunk matches the underparts of the bird and the blue grey background links with the colour of the bird’s mantle. (Bearded Tit by David Mower)
Often, my work is sold informally, and this is the first time I have presented twenty pictures in an exhibition. I am very excited to have the opportunity to show my work as part of the “Silverdale Art Trail”, particularly at Leighton Moss. I am pleased to be sharing the exhibition with another local bird artist, Louise Ellwood Parker. There will also be some moth pictures done by local children as part of a educational project co-ordinated by AONB.
Louise Ellwood Parker is a wildlife artist, who paints predominantly birds on to pieces of vintage timber and driftwood. Her dad was a woodcarver and she would often help him in his workshop, drawing out his designs onto the timber. Several years ago, Louise returned to these early roots and began surrounded herself with timber once more. She especially enjoys re-purposing wood that previously has had a life as something else. Largely self taught, she adds her artwork to the wooden surfaces using paint and inks. Louise’s painting style creates pieces that have unique personalities. Her goal is to depict the characteristics of each individual species. (Tawny Owl by Louise Ellwood Parker)
Texture is another important element of her work. Layering up the feathers by painting quickly and instinctively. By adding flowing line details, along with splashes of colour to create movement and life.
Louise has always gravitated towards birds. Being hugely inspired and fascinated by these delicate yet remarkably strong creatures. Louise feels it is so important to draw attention to the dramatic decline of bird life and hopes her work, in a small way, may encourage you to notice these beautiful creatures as characterful unique individuals.
We look forward to seeing you at the show, when we will be delighted to share our love of birds and bird painting. Brochures are now available from RSPB Leighton Moss. Opening times are; Friday 23rd June 1-8pm, Saturday 24th June 10am-5pm and Sunday 25th June 10am-5pm.
Thanks to David and Louise for their contribution to the post
Beth