Chirk Castle celebrates curlew bird this May half term
The National Trust Cymru site is inviting families to join in a week of activities centred around the curlew, which will run from May 24 to June 1.
The activities, which include curlew-inspired games, bird mask making, storytelling, and puppet displays, are part of an initiative to prepare the 480-acre estate as a future nesting site for the curlew.
This is part of a wider conservation effort across Wales, in partnership with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
The project, funded by the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to monitor curlews, support farmers, and engage local communities in conservation efforts.
The curlew, a ground-nesting bird, is currently in crisis across Wales and is red-listed on both the Welsh and UK Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC).
The decline in their population is due to predation of nests and chicks, loss of suitable feeding and breeding habitats, and reduced food availability.
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.
The curlew parade passes through the Chirk Castle estate (Image: National Trust Images Paul Harris)
Pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn in Corwen, Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy in Corwen, and Ysgol y Waun in Chirk took 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 four-foot-wide curlew puppet symbolising the bird's journey in search of a safe nesting site.
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."
During the May half term, visitors can view the puppets on display near the ticket office at Home Farm, where they will also find an art installation by Sean Harris that brings the curlew to life.
The garden at the top of the hill will host an array of daily fun activities on the upper lawn designed to teach visitors more about these fascinating wading birds.
On May 26 and 27, families can join Jake the Storyteller for magical tales of birds great and small.
Sessions take place at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm and last around 30 minutes each.
On May 28, visitors can design and make their own bird mask under the marquee in the garden using card and tissue paper.
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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, although usual admission charges apply, and National Trust members and children under five can enter without charge.
For further details, visit the Chirk Castle and Garden website.
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