Set in a Beautiful Garden

I was so glad to be invited to show some of  my bronze bird sculptures in these spectacular gardens at Pashley Manor here the background to the making of the bronze Swift

Have you seen the first Swifts of this year arrive in England? This iconic summer bird flies thousands of miles from sub-Saharan Africa to come and nest in our roofs and walls.

 The wingspan of the Swift (Apus apus) is up to 40 cm and in flight forms a particular crescent shape – we often know they are about to make a flypast because of the particular screaming calls and hurtling flight. If people are taking steps to protect nest sites and install special swift nest boxes – you can see such flights in numbers, even dozens.

Sadly in many other places this bird, as many other species, needs our help to survive and thrive. We can help Swifts by putting the special boxes on our houses and by encouraging local authorities and builders to have special nesting bricks built into houses.

The Swift Flight bronze at Pashley Manor Gardens was set on a natural piece of sandstone that could be set in a wall or planting to make a beautiful centrepiece and gift for garden  and home.

You can see the details of the different feathers, her the underside of the long wings and the pale throat of this species.

Joel has also cast the bronze Swifts in groups of twos and more to make larger installations.

She is also designing an award to encourage the conservation of Swifts.

To find out more about the Swift check out Swift conservation and Action for Swifts

and look for your local Swift group and Local Wildlife Trust

If you are interested in the Swift Award Project or having a statue of Swifts for your own home, garden or landscape – contact  Joel at the Tenon Studio.