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| The amazingly produced 3 panel video installation - an absolute treasure and a must watch |
Until 15 September 2019
I'm delighted to see this exhibition visiting Bristol, after being jealous about the Shetland leg of the tour earlier this year. It's a fascinating story, split into two sections across the museum.
The first part sets out putting to bed my naive understanding of birds nests. I'm reassured when Andy points out there has been very little research into the subject. Along with his father Peter, they give us a captivating 101 course in birds nests. There's many types of structures and materials used. As well as hints at ingenuity in bird building and design. Demonstrated by the case study of the male bowerbird, who builds a nest like structure then decorates with brightly coloured objects to attract a mate.
In the second space we are introduced to a baffling side of life through an exposé about egg collectors. These smugglers go to lengths to collect rare birds eggs. They would stash their eggy treasures out of sight of anyone, in fear of prosecution. The exhibition features beautifully reproduced replica eggs from a major egg bust. I only imagine they refer to the bust as a scramble - which saw the RSPB destroying a huge haul of over 7000 eggs. On one hand you think what a waste, but on the other you realise they can't support such activities. These eggs should never have existed as a prize of human enjoyment. They should have hatched birds to continue life rather than endangering. As our crow narrator points out we must learn to observe nature, rather than feel we need to touch and remove.
Make sure to leave enough time to watch both films which are 30 minutes each.
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