Our tours of the bird garden are led by our bird keeping team and take place outdoors. Our workshops include interactive activities in the Bird Garden and are led by our Learning Facilitators, combining investigation, observation and scientific enquiry.
Fifty Years of the Bird Garden
The Bird Garden was originally opened by the 7th Earl and the Countess of Harewood in 1970, to provide a new attraction for visitors to celebrate their passion for wildlife and the protection of endangered species.
We are celebrating fifty years of our Bird Garden with special workshops and tours, combining creativity with a conservation message and a focus on well-being. Educational groups can also enjoy our new Bird Hide and aviaries, as well as our displays and activities in the Bothy and Curiosity Cabin.
The Egg Man
Artist, Stephen Turner, will be ‘in residence’ in a giant egg on the lake during the summer holidays and up to October half-term. A creative space like no other, the ‘Egg’ will host sessions for families and schools which are all about connecting with nature, from making bird feeders to pond dipping. Contact the Learning Team for more information.
Meet the Bird Garden’s most popular residents, and find out more about our fascinating, sun-loving penguins from Peru!
We’ll find out all about why they’re such good swimmers, what they like to eat, where they live and how each one is unique. The session includes an art activity where pupils can share what they have learnt through making a large group collage to take back to school.
EYFS, KS1-2
1.5 hour workshop
Curriculum links: Science, Geography, Art & Design
Part of this session is indoors, led by our learning facilitators
Learn about the different owls here at Harewood; meet the Snowy Owls and Burrowing Owls, and explore the differences between them in their habitats, diet and appearance. The sessions includes an art activity where pupils can share what they’ve learnt through making a large group collage to take back to school.
EYFS, KS1-2
1.5 hour workshop
Curriculum links: Science, Geography, Art & Design
Part of this session is indoors, led by our learning facilitators
Take a tour of the Bird Garden with one of our keepers, and meet some of our most famous residents at Harewood.
Compare and contrast the different birds, identifying their varying colours and sizes, where they come from and what they eat.
The tour will include information on life cycles and food chains, habitats and what birds need to survive.
KS1-4
45 mins tour/ 1 hour (KS3 +)
Curriculum links: Science, Geography
Looking at birds of prey, or raptors, in our bird collection, such as our Snowy and Burrowing Owls and Andean Condor as well as our native Red Kites, we’ll be learning about food cycles, diet and habitats. How do insect-eating or plant-eating birds differ in behaviour, adaptation and habitat? This session includes activities in the bird garden and interactive tasks, as well as chance to ask questions to our bird keeper.
KS2-4
1.5 hour workshop
Curriculum links: Science
Join a member of the bird keeping team to explore the important conservation work undertaken at Harewood, including our breeding programmes and our commitment to the care, conservation and biodiversity of many endangered bird species from around the world. The tour will look at particular species and shed light on the conservation programmes that have been happening at Harewood over the last fifty years.
KS2-4
45 min tour/ 1 hour (KS3+)
Curriculum links: Science, PSHE
Working with artist, Jo Blaker, this session is all about paying attention to and appreciating our native and exotic birds and, by doing so, nurturing our own well-being and creativity. We’ll be observing, drawing and taking part in mindful activities outdoors as well as experimenting with different creative materials and techniques, from mono-printing to working with wire. The session will look at bio-diversity and plumage as inspiration.
KS2-5
1.5 hour/ 3.5 hours, including lunch
Curriculum: Art & Design, Science, PHSE
See also: ‘Harewood Inspired: Art & Mindful Making for Teachers and Educators’, a full-day CPD workshop on Saturday 28th March, 11.00 – 4.00pm
Art : Surface Pattern Print Making
Our workshops give children direct experience of our wonderful gardens and plant collections. From hands-on activities in the Walled Garden to den-building, hunting for mini-beasts or … Read more