Follow migratory shorebirds as they travel the ancient flyways of our planet, and meet the scientists, international lawyers and citizen scientists collaborating to save them.

“An Australian Aboriginal legend tells of the moment birds arrived amongst us. The breaking of a rainbow scattered shards of colours. As these shards fell to earth, they became glowing jewel like birds.“

Shorebirds fly thousands of miles each year along ancient and largely unknown migratory routes called FLYWAYS. Species travel from feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere to breeding grounds in the Arctic regions and back again, flying up to nine days non-stop without food or water. They are the world’s greatest endurance athletes and their navigational skills on these marathon migrations are as extraordinary as they are mysterious. However, Shorebird numbers are crashing.

Using nanotechnology and global tracking from the International Space Station, we follow migratory shorebirds, the world’s greatest endurance athletes, as they travel the ancient flyways of our planet, and meet the scientists, international lawyers and citizen scientists collaborating to save them.

Presented in conjunction with HBRG exhibition, Alan Peebles: Bird Man, on view 9 September- 12 November 2023. 

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