The event aims to celebrate our strong local curlew population and raise awareness for their plight across the north of England and globally. All ages and levels of interest and experience are very welcome. Over 600 people visited the castle over the Curlew Festival weekend last year and were able to learn more about these beautiful and iconic birds.
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The weekend will include a series of family friendly activities, from guided curlew safaris to family painting and writing activities, a Society of Wild Life Artists exhibition, plus poetry, music and talks for those with an interest in learning more or getting involved.
The weekend is being organised by environmental journalist and writer Karen Lloyd; Society of Wildlife Artists member Fiona Clucas; Mary Colwell, who walked 500 miles to raise awareness for curlews and Tom Orde-Powlett.
Charities including The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Ornithology, Wader Quest and independent conservationists will all be present to share their knowledge and experience.
To book places on any of the activities, please email tom@boltoncastle.co.uk or call Bolton Castle on 01969 623981. For enquiries relating to the art exhibition please email Fiona Clucas on fulmus@btinternet.com
FRIDAY 8 JUNE
10.00-12.30: Curlew Safaris (£10/head). Keeper led in estate vehicles.
09.30-12.30: Curlew Photography (£30/head). Andrew Robinson in vehicles & possibly hides.
13.00-15.30: Curlew Safaris (£10/head). Keeper led in estate vehicles.
14.30 – 17.30: Curlew Photography (£30/head). Andrew Robinson in vehicles & possibly hides
11.00-16.00: Drop in session, Wader Quest and Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group stands in Great Chamber. People available in great Chamber to discuss curlews with members of public.
19.00-20.30: Society of Wildlife Artists Exhibition Private Viewing, with champagne and canapés in Great Chamber and talk on Curlew Research by David Baines of Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
SATURDAY 9 JUNE
09.30-12.30: Curlew Photography (£30/head). Andrew Robinson in vehicles & possibly hides
10.00-13.00: Family Curlew Art and Writing Workshops and Musical Activities with Planet Birdsong. Karen Lloyd, Fiona Clucas and Peter & Liz Cowdrey in Great Chamber (and Solar). FREE Suggested donation of £5 per family to cover materials
10.30 – 12.30: Drop in session with Wader Quest and YDMG Stands.
14.00-16.30: Afternoon Tea and Talks (£15).
14.00-14.15: Rick Simpson of Wader Quest on ‘The Global Wader Situation’.
14.15-14.30: Robin Ward – ‘Ringing, mortality and migration of curlews to and from Northern England’.
14.30-14.45: Andrew Heath, RSPB, Caithness Curlew Recovery Project.
14.45-15.00: Simon Lester, formerly Langholm Moor Demonstration Project.
15.00-15.15: Mark Wilson of BTO (Scotland) on Understanding Predation Report, Working for Waders and Wensleydale Project.
15.30-15.45: Tara Challoner of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – on ‘Nidderdale AONB Curlew and Wader Project.’
15.45-16.00: Philip Merricks of Elmley NNR and Hawk &Owl Trust.
16.00-16.15: Independent Young Conservationists James Common, Sacha Elliott and Daniel Place.
16.15-16.30: Mary Colwell – Background & 500m Walk, Ireland, Southern Curlew Forum, Welsh progress and ‘What Next’?
16.30-17.00: Slippage Time and discussion for anyone who would like to stay on.
SUNDAY 10 JUNE
10.00-12.00: Guided River Walk with Estate Ghilly, Brian Towers (£5)
10.00-12.00: Birdsong Recording with Peter Cowdrey £20.
10.30-12.30: Writers Panel and Q&A with Karen Lloyd and Mary Colwell in Great Chamber. £10.
10.00-15.00: Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust Mobile Classroom and River Table in Car Park. Free, drop in any time.
13.30 – 15.00: Ring Ouzel Walk with Richard Wells (£5).
