High-flying bird-themed artwork will go on display in an Aberdeenshire wildlife hide this week, as part of a project to promote the area’s wetland habitats and population of charismatic creatures.
A total of 35 pieces from local artists will be on show at the bird hide near Tarland throughout October, in a range of styles including watercolours, acrylics and even embroidery.
From depictions of ducks and dippers to herons, lapwings and curlews, they can all be seen in the hide, which is located a short signposted walk out from the edge of the village, near the Coull Road.
It is hoped the avian art will encourage visitors and locals alike to recognise the wealth of biodiversity in the area, and help protect it for the future.
The idea took off thanks to a collaboration between the Tarland Development Group (TDG), the Tarland Art Group and the Upper Deeside Arts Society.
Megan Albon, of the TDG, said: “Within the TDG, we set up the wetlands group in 2018 to tackle the steep decline of wading birds within the catchment.
“It’s been fantastic to have so many entries for the exhibition.
“We had some great feedback from the artists too, several of whom had never been to the bird hide before, and said it was the first time they had really thought about what a wetland is.”
Susan Cooksley, manager of the Dee Catchment partnership, which also supports conservation projects around Tarland said the response so far has been “brilliant” and called it a “really stunning collection” of art.
She said: “The Tarland area used to be a very wet landscape, but the area has seen a 50% drop in the wading bird population over the last couple of decades.
“The creation of new wetlands there would have wide-ranging benefits, from resilience in times of flooding and droughts, to recreational opportunities.
“The most recent study we undertook in collaboration with the TDG looked at four areas of work: water quality improvements, flooding (from alleviation and storage to naturally managing flooding), biodiversity improvements, and monitoring and research.”
The art display will be available until October 30, and can also be viewed online at www.tarland.org.uk/wetlandsart