With a few old rags and a few tweaks, these field mannequins have transcended popular culture, exuding an almost living personality. For this reason, their representations in universes such as Batman or the Wizard of Oz are remembered by everyone, whether they are villains or friendly companions. The scarecrows of Vallbona de les Monges are undoubtedly one of the latter.
At the crossing of the road from Rocallaura to Nalec, leaving this municipality of Urgell in the direction of Tárrega, dozens of these estimaocells, as they are called, form a story scene that Narcís Serrat found and that he wanted to share in Las Fotos de los Lectores de The Vanguard
The idea was conceived as a result of cultural days in the town, more than 10 years ago. The doctor and naturalist, Eduard Viver, also a resident of the town and curiously an excavator, undertook the initiative to create the first ten specimens of these curious beings.
What differentiates them from the classic scarecrows, says Viver, is that they carry a nest box and some small containers for water and food.
Little by little, families were added who wanted to be represented in this small community made of recycled materials. Today there are 40 estimaocells.
The project, which seeks the protection and preservation of birds, and in general of the fauna of the place, has been a complete success and a transforming axis of this town of just 220 inhabitants. It is already the emblem of the town, surpassing its historic monastery in searches on social networks.
“There is a very beautiful thing,” explains the protectionist and ornithologist, as Viver defines himself, and that is that the children of the town “have no longer known the old scarecrows, and now, when they see them in any orchard, they directly believe that they are ours estimateocells”. This naturalistic culture in which they have been brought up, he assures him, “is our greatest success.”
The essence, without a doubt, resides in the community dimension that the initiative has adopted, “which is already managed alone, by the families,” says its creator. Every year, they meet the first week of August and celebrate their creations together.
The project is included in the annual Vallbonatura seminars, where they explain all the wildlife initiatives that they have carried out.
“It is a transformative project because Vallbona has changed a lot. Before it was a town where the issue of fauna did not stand out and now it is a beautiful place to visit in Catalonia,” says Viver, who boasts of already having projects that protect all fauna local, from amphibians to bats and owls. “A 0 km wildlife project,” he says.
In addition to murals and children’s workshops, among other initiatives, wildlife observatories have been created that have become an eye-catching attraction for photographers and nature lovers. From the rural houses that welcome them to the bar and cafeteria in the town, they are devoted to them.
The next objective, says the doctor, is for the estimaocells to cross borders. Currently, it is a unique initiative in the world, and “any doll that has a nest box on its head is copying Vallbona de les Monges. And to great honor,” says Viver, who shows his desire not to put barriers to the project.
To do this, they have translated its name into different languages ??-quierepájaros in Spanish- with the intention that other rural towns will be encouraged by their first copy.
In addition to putting Vallbona on the map, “the important thing is not to invent Coca-Cola, but that Coca-Cola is consumed in Australia”, Viver states, giving this example. To achieve this, they continue to promote their particular creations by inviting industry experts to learn about the initiative and participate in open talks.
The Vallbona estimaocells now want to take flight and, for this good cause, Viver qualifies, “there is no money, no subsidies in any way, just the need for people to get involved.”
