Arrivals Board/Birds of Passage, 2016, RSPB Discovery Trail, Fairhaven

LED, aluminium, vinyl

Funded by the Arts Council England, Fylde Council, RSPB 

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Birds of Passage is a contemporary art installation commissioned by the RSPB for their sculpture trail at Fairhaven Lake, Lancs. 

The board is programmed with animations, including Birds of Passage by Sophy King and The Language of Birds by guest artist Rebecca Chesney, information and live updates. 

 

The Ribble Estuary, where the board is situated, is one of the most important stopping places for migratory birds in the country, and this work connects the passage of birds to the global movement of people. The piece addresses why birds migrate and where from, giving insight into the unique environmental importance of the estuary.

 

The commission as concept was chosen through public vote, and the animations were developed through a series of public engagement and fact-finding activites, including mud-dipping, coffee morning chats and ornithologist talks.

The board itself was manufactured by Scanlite Visual Communications Ltd, a local firm. The animations were devised and programmed by the artist.

Sections of the programming were left accessible to the RSPB workers so that they could post 'Bird of the Day' or other information live.

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Scroll down to see the animations and photos of some of the engagement activities

Thanks to everyone at Scanlite, the RSPB, and the people of Lytham St Annes

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