Chirk Castle and Garden celebrates the Curlew bird this May half term

This May half term National Trust Cymru’s Chirk Castle and Garden is inviting you to celebrate the Curlew with a week packed full of themed activities for all the family.

Image (c) National Trust

From Curlew-inspired games in the garden, to bird mask making, storytelling and puppets on display, there’s something for everyone to enjoy from 24 May to 1 June.

The activities have been themed around National Trust Cymru’s aim to prepare Chirk Castle’s parkland as a suitable habitat that will hopefully one day encourage the Curlew to nest on the 480-acre estate.

The initiative is part of a wider effort across Wales, delivered in partnership with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Funded by the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project focuses on monitoring curlews, supporting farmers and engaging local communities in conservation efforts.

The curlew’s population is currently in crisis across Wales, with the ground nesting bird red-listed on both the Welsh and UK Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC). Predation of nests and chicks, a loss of suitable feeding and breeding habitats and reduced food availability have all contributed to its decline.

Image (c) National Trust

Earlier this year, a Curlew parade was held at the castle in partnership with Curlew Connections Wales and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It saw pupils of Ysgol Caer Drewyn in Corwen, Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy in Corwen and Ysgol y Waun in Chirk take part in creative workshops alongside puppet makers Ben and Jude Wood, storyteller Fiona Collins and musician Morgan Elwy.

At the heart of the parade was Pegi Pyg Hir, a magnificent four-foot-wide Curlew puppet, which symbolised the bird’s journey in search of a safe nesting site. Guided by the beat of a drum, children carried a ‘moving meadow’ of handcrafted mini-beasts, wildflowers and eggs to symbolise that the Curlew is welcome on the Chirk Castle estate.

Keith Griffith, Chirk Castle’s Area Ranger said: “Chirk Castle has a rich history of supporting wildlife, and we aim to restore the habitats Curlews need to thrive. Curlews are red-listed and at real risk of extinction as a breeding bird in Wales and seeing local children so engaged in this conservation effort gives us hope for the future survival of these special birds.”

Throughout May half term visitors will be able to see these fantastic puppets on display near the Ticket Office at Home Farm, where they can also discover an art installation created by Sean Harris that will bring the Curlew to life.

Image (c) National Trust

Head to the garden at the top of the hill between 24 May and 1 June to discover an array of daily fun activities on the upper lawn designed to teach you more about these fascinating wading birds. Test your aim in a game of skittles to see if your eyesight is as sharp as a Curlew’s or enjoy an egg and spoon race with a twist to safely deliver your egg to the ground nest. Design your own birdcall using musical instruments and try to walk on by stilts like a Curlew whose long legs help it to wade.

On Monday, 26 and Tuesday, 27 May, gather the family and join Jake the Storyteller for magical tales of birds great and small. From the soaring majesty of eagles to the playful charm of Robins, these magical tales will let your imagination fly. Sessions take place at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm and last approximately 30 minutes each.

On Wednesday, 28 May, design and make your own bird mask under the marquee in the garden using card and tissue paper. Drop in anytime between 11am and 3.30pm.

Anne Kurdock, Experience and Visitor Programming Manager for Chirk Castle and Erddig, said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Chirk Castle this May half term to learn more about this incredible bird and its significance to Welsh landscapes. We’ve a whole week of activities for families to enjoy inspired by the Curlew and can’t wait for everyone to experience it and see the wonderful artwork on display produced by our partners and local schools.”

Activities are free, but normal admission charges apply. National Trust members and under 5s can enter for free. Plan your visit using the Chirk Castle and Garden website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/chirk-castle