around the world in 90 days

Well it has taken a bit of time but our flapping flock of paper birds arrived in Uganda this week! 

Travelling more slowly than your average corncrake they have squawked across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and finally arrived at the Equator to land in the laps of 12-year old Arthur and his schoolmates.

We have yet to hear what Arthur thinks of this unexpected flock.  Or indeed what the flock thinks of northern Uganda, after its winter in the Hebrides, the highlands and London.  Those birds definitely deserve a rest.

homeward bound

 

Signed, sealed and on the way to being delivered.  Art in the Park have parcelled up our Flock for its final journey back to Africa.  The first paper birds set out from the Equator in September last year, gathering companions along the way, and now the whole huge flock is flying back to Uganda.  It will land at Bright Valley School in Gulu for the enjoyment of the kids there.  Who could wish a flock more than a bright valley to settle in?

Art in the Park did a whip-round to raise the money for the stamps to send the birds south.  The Flock has been possible almost entirely thanks to people working as volunteers and chipping in with donations to keep it flying across the miles.  Many many thanks to all who have supported it along the way and wished it well.

If we can we will let you know what happens when the birds reach their final home.  In the meantime wagende obusinge: travel well.

birds reunited

Open for viewing now at Art in the Park's studio in Burgess Park, Camberwell: our Flock of paper birds is putting on a glorious January display!  Shown here are a few of them; swallows, barn owls, hummingbirds and corncrakes rubbing shoulders in a way that is rarely seen in the wild.  Do go and wish them well before they take off again for their long journey to the Equator.  (See the Camberwell page for a link to directions and opening times.)

stormbound

800 miles into its southward journey, the Flock has arrived in London!  Did you hear it squawking overhead??  Wild weather across the UK is giving it a reason to rest in Camberwell with Art in the Park for a while.  Watch this space for details of how you can go and see it during its sojourn.

winter camouflage

How do you think a Flock can tell when it has lingered in the North too long??!

navigation navigation navigation

Last chance to see the Flock in Ullapool! 

If you look at the birds closely you'll see that some of them have maps scrawled on their wings: these are to help them navigate southwards.  Some will be apparently guided by roundabouts and traffic lights; others are on the lookout for camels and palm trees to show they're heading in the right direction.  It seems a few are even planning to take in Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower on their trip south, carrying messages in English and Gaelic with them.  Well done to the primary school children of Lewis for doing such thoughtful planning. 

These birds will leave Ullapool in the next few days.  They have every chance of a successful migration!

heading south

The Flock has just arrived in Ullapool!  They flew from the Isle of Lewis this week and will now be at An Talla Solais for a couple of weeks before heading further south en route to Africa. 

Please come and see them in our temporary aviary.  It's a rare chance to see such a gathering of multi-coloured birds together in the highlands.  Above is a corncrake, accompanied by food for the journey.  Several thousand miles still to go...