Legality & Ethics

No creatures are harmed or disturbed for the purpose of creating these works. Most skulls, bones or feathers are from birds that died of natural causes. The majority of these were found washed up on the sea shore.

Where birds eggs are used, these are most often from domesticated birds such as quails or bantam hens. The eggs are then painted to suit the piece I am making. Sometimes shell pieces from wild birds are used. These pieces were discarded by the birds at the time of the eggs hatching and then recovered by myself once the young birds had left the nest. 

All natural specimens are gathered and sold in compliance with the various legislation that relates to the collection and trade of wild birds and animals. The main UK legislation regarding this includes:

• The Wildlife & Countryside Act (Scotland) 1981
• CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora)

A detailed record is kept for all specimens that serves as proof of provenance. 

Overseas customers are encouraged to clarify the law for their own country regarding the import of wild birds and animals, as this may well differ from UK law.