Shorebirds

My attention was drawn to shorebirds by a print project developed by Kate Gorringe-Smith to raise awareness and understanding of migratory shorebirds in Australia. These birds fly 13,000kms. twice a year between Australia and the Siberian Tundra. For more information see www.theoverwinteringproject.com

Inhabiting this strip of land and hovering between land and sea these birds have captured my attention. I am currently working with three particular species; the Pied Oystercatcher, the Little Tern and the Beach Stone-curlew, as part of an art/science collaboration through Orana Arts and the Office of the Environment NSW.  The eggs which are laid in a tiny scrape on the beach were the first thing to capture the imagination and the community surrounding Taree in NSW are currently busy making ceramic eggs which reflect this fragility. Tracks and marks in the sand tell a story of conflict.