Ruth’s Portraits (Ruth Weaver)

Merlin Limited Edition Print | Ruth's Portraits Merlins have been used by falconers since medieval times, with written records dating back to at least 1486. They may be the UK's smallest bird of prey, but what they lack in size they certainly make ...

The original drawing found a lovely home a while back but there are a limited number of prints remaining in the run! www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page...

My coloured pencil drawing of a merlin

It’s been ages since I last drew a bird of prey - if hypothetically I was going to draw one soon… what would you like to see?

I loved creating this drawing of male Merlin as part of the @btobirds.bsky.social book “Into the Red” 📕 back in 2022.

Reference photo: Michael Sanders

#birding 🪶

Original: Two Turtle Doves | Ruth's Portraits *** Pre-order - Original will be ready to ship in the week of 26th September *** Two Turtle Doves but for how much longer? Since 1967 we have lost 98% of the UK’s turtle doves. In fact, they are the U...

It’s not much, but I’m donating some of the proceeds from the sales of my original turtle dove drawing, limited edition prints, mugs, tea towels and greetings cards to these amazing organisations!!! www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page...

Closer to home, the North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project set up by Richard Baines, surveys the Turtle Dove Population, work with local landowners and farmers to help them create dew ponds and wildflower field margins that help Turtle Doves to thrive 🧵

Luckily, there are wonderful people out there who are fighting for Turtle Doves. CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) are out there, on the ground fighting for a safer migration by monitoring illegal hunting, dismantling traps, and lobbying governments. 🧵

To breed successfully, Turtle Doves require three things within close proximity…

1.Seeds
2.Nesting habitat
3.Accessible water
🧵

Rapid changes in land management, increased pesticide usage, loss of wildflowers, field edges and hedge rows over the last 40 years have lead to a huge loss of suitable habitat in the UK.

Research has found that in the UK they’re producing half as many chicks as in the 70s. 🧵

Sadly, if you thought Turtle Doves were safe once they reached the UK, you’d be wrong.

Hunting during migration is only half the story and they face additional problems once they arrive in the UK. 🧵

The reasons boil down to two causes.

On their migration every year from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe they become prized hunting targets in the Mediterranean.

Each year, around two million Turtle Doves are killed (some legally, and many more illegally). 🧵

My coloured pencil drawing of two turtle doves. Reference photo from Richard Baines

Of all the pieces I’ve drawn over the last 5 years, this one is probably closest to my heart. 🪶

Turtle Doves are struggling - in fact they are the UK’s fastest declining species.

In the UK we have lost 98% of our turtle doves since 1967 🧵 #birding

Thank you Steph!! Me neither - the start of my twitching journey 😁

I’m so glad to hear it ☺️☺️

Turkestan Shrike Limited Edition Print | Ruth's Portraits Limited edition Giclee print run of 30 featuring a reproduction of my coloured pencil drawing of the 'Bempton Cliffs' Turkestan Shrike. First spotted on the 27th of June 2022, the Turkestan Shrike has...

Original sold - but prints are available here! www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page...

My drawing of the Bempton Cliffs Turkestan Shrike. Reference David Carr

It's been 3 years since the Turkestan Shrike was discovered at Bempton Cliffs (and my first twitch!)

This was a fantastic bird to witness and it showed beautifully I couldn't resist capturing the moment on paper once I was home. #birding

Ref: @birdphotos007.bsky.social

Now this is excellent!!

My drawing of an Atlantic puffin holiday fish

It’s looking like I might not manage my annual summer trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs to see the seabirds but I’m very much enjoying all the content from people who have visited!

Here’s my puffin drawing from a few years ago now 🐟 #birding 🪶

Reference photo: Luke Brady Johnson

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Oh thank you so much 🥹

'Talking to the Moon' Hare - Limited Edition Fine Art Print | Ruth's Portraits Limited Edition print run of 50 featuring my drawing 'Talking to the Moon' portrait of a hare Individually hand signed and numbered This print is sent mounted to fit a 14 x 11" frame Size A4 (approx ...

The original has sold ☺️ but prints are available here! www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page...

My drawing of a hare, titled talking to the moon, reference with very kind permission from Frances Crickmore

I was out early on a dawn bird survey yesterday and the hares were a wonderful highlight as usual!

It’s been a few years since I last drew a hare (one of my few no bird pieces) but I’m hoping I can change that soon 🐰

Coloured pencil on watercolour pencil
Reference from Frances Crickmore

Nightjar: Limited Edition Print | Ruth's Portraits Limited edition Giclee print run of 30* featuring a reproduction of my coloured pencil drawing of a European Nightjar. Reference photo with kind permission from Ian Robert Cole - you can see more of h...

If you’ve been out nightjarring this summer and would love to have one on your wall year round I have A3 and A4 prints available too 😄 www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page...

My nightjar drawing framed and on display at my solo exhibition at the Museum of Cannock Chase

The original drawing is still looking for a home so if you’re interested please let me know!! www.ruths-portraits.com/product-page... #birding 🪶

My coloured pencil drawing of a Nightjar. Reference photo with kind permission from Ian Cole

The best thing about this time of year? Nightjarring of course.

The hot weather over the weekend meant we were treated to amazing dusk views of churring males, wing claps, and females feeding right over our heads!

✏️ Coloured Pencil on watercolour paper #birding 🪶 #sciart

Drawing of a southern red bishop reference kindly provided by Paul Mason. Sold

Drawing of a southern red bishop reference kindly provided by Paul Mason. Sold

Southern Red Bishops - a delightful commission to kick off a very busy summer of art.

Created with coloured pencil
#birding #sciart 🪶

Thank you Dave 😁

That’s so kind of you Ellen thank you so much 🥹

Amazing footage of arguably one of the best birds!!

Nightjars are truly remarkable birds. Ground-nesting and masters of camouflage, they rely on their incredible natural patterns to protect their eggs and chicks from predators.
This stunning moment, captured by one of our team members on a NatureSpy cam, shows a female blending Nightjar blending in

This is so beautiful 😍