Giant Heron sculpture arrives on the Dee

by Angela Johnson. Published Thu 30 Jun 2011 13:08

A bird measuring in at over 8 feet tall has landed for the first time on the RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, near Neston on the Wirral.

However, the local fish population need not worry, as this bird is a specially commissioned recycled wood sculpture by local artist Paul Bearman.

Paul Bearman, teaches at Wirral Metropolitan College and has exhibited his work internationally. He said “The environment influenced the evolution of this particular sculpture. It’s made from recycled materials and it fits really naturally into its location.”

This exclusive piece was commissioned by the RSPB after a generous donation of one thousand pounds by the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art (NEWA).

Paul Brady, RSPB Visitor Development Officer said “We are currently making lots of improvements to our reserve to help people to connect with nature. We hope that visitors will enjoy looking at this impressive sculpture and then be inspired to look out for the real thing around the water.”

For anybody wanting a sneak preview, the RSPB will be showcasing this artwork and their redevelopment plans at the upcoming National Exhibition of Wildlife Art at Gordale Nurseries, on the Wirral, on Sunday 17 July from 11 am – 4 pm. NEWA continues at Gordale every day from 15 to 31 July. To find out more please visit: www.newa-uk.com.

The part of the nature reserve where the giant heron sculpture now lives, has recently undergone large scale wildlife conservation management work by the RSPB. This exciting project includes the building of new visitor facilities and will be finished and open to the public as ‘RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands’ later in the year. This work has been carried out with generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Rural Development Programme for England, WREN, SITA Trust, Biffaward, Natural England and English Heritage.

To find out more about RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserves please visit www.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary or phone 0151 336 7681.

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