a bird describes its forest; the bird lives in a small conifer plantation that is being transformed to a mixed species, permanent forest (enlarge videos but hitting white symbol on bottom right)
Foresters have created light gaps and the new tiny forest of mixed species is beginning to grow amongst the shelter of the conifers. Monoculture tree plantations can be transformed to vibrant healthy forests if we allow nature’s own dynamics to lead the way.
initial reflections about this work - it quietly references and is narrated by a bird’s song that threads through the piece. As a result, a more-than-human perspective of a forest is given and the information about how the forest transforms itself is presented in a less didactic, more visually/aurally poetic way. I’m very interested in trying to present a to more ecocentric perspective in the work (though can’t get away from the fact that I’m manning the camera etc). Most nature documentarry relies of ‘voice of god’ narration styles, humans explaining what is happening, rather than letting the audience really experience, think about all the complex, dynamic yet fragile happenings of what is taking place in nature.
The idea came from a previous sketch forest description in 60 sec, where I had been using a high powered rifle microphone to capture birdsong in the forest… and I realised that birds always describe their territory. So I recorded the bird’s song as a means for telling us about the forest and its transformation.
This is a slow art practice; in forty years the forest will be comprised mostly with ash, with oak, alder and other native species and some remaining, large conifers (our conifers do a great job on sheltering our native trees as this was a bare field site). Although with nature calling the shots, nothing is certain about how this forest will develop. The biodiversity will also change, already with the light gaps created, our fungi has responded (we have loads of fungi on the needles, the pine needles were inches thick I never thought much would grow again) and our small forest is a mecca for birds, brambles, the occasional passing fox and deer (this is more rare occurence).
Filming details: jvc gy100, panned across some still shots of the small army of seedlings now regenerating where light spaces have been created in the forest plantation. Where I could and where appropriate I synched the bird’s song to visuals.
Update: Oct 2011- ‘Hollywood‘, our small woodland, is now listed on the new Low Impact Silvaculture System Database (LISS) – Ireland’s new database of forests being managed using close-to-nature permanent forest methods. At just 2 acres our Hollywood is the smallest close-to-nature forest in Ireland 
Interesting work! I like the premise of your research – investigating the possibility of an eco-centric film approach. I like the idea in this film in particular – the bird describing its forest. My collaborator, Anna Keleher and I began a project called “DREAMING PLACE” this summer in N. Ireland/Ireland at the Marble Arch Caves Geopark. There are some cross-overs in our artistic and philosophical approach. If you’re interested, have a peak at out blog: http://www.dreamingplace.eu. I look forward to following your research!
Posted by claireandanna | September 17, 2011, 10:04 pmHi Claire and Anna,
what a fascinating and sensitive project you have and are continuing to undertake. I was really delighted to see it and I’ll follow along with your journey too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by Cathy Fitzgerald | September 20, 2011, 11:15 amHi Cathy, this is such a beautiful and engaging piece. Keep going, we have much to do to get the message out! Looing forward to seeing more.
Mary
Posted by Mary Carty | September 21, 2011, 1:41 pmMary, thanks so much! Thanks for all the social media advice – people still downloading my paper and my general art & ecology blog is being syndicated by another international site on women and sustainable, politically engaged arts practices – amazing what can happen with an internet connection in the middle of a small forest
Posted by Cathy Fitzgerald | September 21, 2011, 2:02 pmLovely idea using the birdsong as ‘narration’
eoin
Posted by Anonymous | October 7, 2011, 2:27 pmbrilliant how the bird fly down and the camera moves to ground level, lucky you to have a stream.
to see how nature does it herself seems to me the best way but the helping hand from humans would not be out of place.
Alder should be in every forest or hedge as it fixes nitrogen so it feeds the soil and with it the other trees in the forest, glad to see you leave some conifers they do have their place.
Posted by clegyrboia | October 27, 2011, 4:24 pmThanks so much Clegyrboia,
Yes, alder is important and yes we have actively left our conifers in our forest to help give shelter and stability to the regenerating native species. Mixed species, mixed aged trees are critical to any healthy forest. I have learned a lot from ProSilva Close-to-nature foresters, – their management might be of interest to you http://www.prosilvaeurope.org – there is a British branch too
Posted by Cathy Fitzgerald | October 31, 2011, 3:55 pm