Hunterston Sand Art

Neil O’Donnell, RSPB

As you all know, the Hunterston area attracts a large number of birds especially waders and wildfowl and is one of the most important sites in the county for birds such as Greenshank and Bar-tailed Godwit to name but few. Not forgetting rarities such as Little Egret, Garganey, and Blue-headed Wagtail. Needless to say the proposal to build a coal fired power station on this SSSI site would have a devastating impact. In late September 2010 a team of three sand artists, led by Jamie Wardley, and around 0 volunteers turned Irvine beach into a sweeping range of wading bird silhouettes outlined with the names of objectors to the proposal. Coverage of the event was widespread, with Jamie’s second design of a child’s face surrounded by cracked earth, appearing in publications such as The Times, The Scotsman, The Metro and even the San Francisco Chronicle! If you would like to add your voice to our campaign then please visit www.rspb.org.uk/hunterston