Bird Descrying Tapestry

A curious line drawn from the boreal forest’s changing landscape to the changing ecology of our backyards.

Bird Sightings in Iowa

Using the combined data from the Cornell Ornithology Lab’s eBird project and Iowa’s historic bird sighting data, this project shows the evolution of bird sightings in Iowa over decades. When seen in person, you can interact with the piece and selection 10 different migrant visitors that are being deeply impacted by deforestation of the boreal forest.

Host Communities

Summer 2024 — TBA

Fall 2023 — Ames Community Art Council Studio Tour | Ames, Iowa

Spring 2023 — Oskaloosa Art Center | Oskaloosa, Iowa

Winter 2023 — Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge | Prairie City, Iowa

Fall 2022 — Ames Public Library | Ames, Iowa

Fall 2022 — Ames Community Art Council Studio Tour | Ames, Iowa

Become a host community and bring this dynamic interactive art exhibition to your organization. From public libraries to art centers, the work is created with the public and public facing institutions in mind. Contact the artist to inquire about scheduling and additional programming options available.

Making the Tapestry

Curious about the inner workings of the tapestry? Discover about the project from inception to execution. I share the story in my studio journal.

  • Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) 93%

  • Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 86%

  • Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonica) 88%

  • White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) 85%

  • Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) 91%

  • Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) 79%

  • Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 87%

  • Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) 93%

  • Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 80%

  • Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) 85%

  • Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 81%

  • Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 94%

  • Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 84%

  • Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) 90%

  • Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) 97%

  • Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 73%

  • Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 79%

  • Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) 79%

  • Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) 87%

Oskaloosa Art Center | Spring 2023

Thank you all past and future hosts!