If you always wanted to travel round the world – but couldn’t spare the time or save for the ticket - Lotherton Bird Garden is your answer! It is home to species of exotic birds from every continent in the world, beautifully displayed in large enclosures. You can see birds from as far apart as South Africa and the Philippines without having to endure a long-haul flight and slash your way through acres of tropical rainforest. Many are part of conservation breeding programmes. This means that your support is also helping to save some very rare species and their natural habitat.
For teachers, showing children the variety of life, life processes and living things in their environment, couldn’t be easier than at Lotherton Bird Garden.
Visit our "Into Africa" walk-through aviary and you can show your class Sacred Ibises that roost in trees with Cattle Egrets, whilst Southern Ground Hornbills patrol beneath, scouring the ground for insects and on the dry slopes beyond, African Crowned Cranes majestically stalk their territory, under an open sky. Remember, you’re not in Africa… you’re in Leeds!
We have a number of bookable led activities and self-led educational activities at Lotherton for schools and groups. If you would like to have a guided visit, you can choose from the following:-
The Bird Brains series of activities has been popular for several years with schools.
We offer Freaky Beaky at both KS1 and KS2 levels as a fascinating introduction to the world of birds, comparing body and beak shapes, what different birds eat, from meat eaters to seed eaters and the different habitats they live in. Freaky Beaky is introduced by our Education Officer and Carlos the Condor, our metre-tall glove-puppet.
Musical Mynahs is a KS1 activity and links music with communication. Why do birds sing and how do they do it? Our Education Officer leads this fun activity that explores sound production through playing and listening. Carlos the Condor helps out!
Meet The Birdies guided tour is available for either KS1 or KS2 children. A fascinating tour with an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of our friendliest birds.
Drawing From Experience is available for either KS1 or KS2 classes and involves a tour of the Bird Garden with an opportunity to look-and-draw some of our birds. Great for improving observational skills and understanding design for purpose.
Fabulous Flyers is a KS2 activity led by our education officer. An introduction to the world of powered flight that begins with Archie Opterix, our Dino-Bird glove puppet. This activity illustrates the development of birds from dinosaurs and links them with living species like Hoazins and Turracos. There are thousands of different bird designs. Some fly, some glide, others hop and hover and others can’t fly at all. A quick flap around the options and a hands-on session with real skulls, bones, beaks and feathers.
Owls – seeing and hearing is a KS2 activity led by our Education Officer. Investigate the amazing world of owls, birds that hunt at night using cleverly adapted eyes, ears and feathers. Includes a guided tour "focussing" on the owl enclosures. Great for Harry Potter fans! Packs available to buy in the shop at Temple Newsam or reception.
Hejvig the hedge witch is a very popular KS2 activity. It can be led by our Education Officer or can be self-led with a teachers' pack. The Celts planted the first hedgerows in Britain and hundreds of insects and larger species have been living in them ever since. Meet Hejvig, who knows about the plants and animals that live in mini-beast heaven and go on a magical bug-hunt around the boundary trail. Available April to October. Packs available to buy in the shop at Temple Newsam or reception.
Nature Detectives is perfect if you want to explore further afield. Our Education Officer leads this popular KS2 guided walk, teaching children about British wildlife and tracking skills. Can you tell which animal left a tell-tail trail in the woods? Tracks, songs, trails, feeding and behaviour signs, from feather and fur.
Currently, two Teachers Activity Packs are available for self-guided work at Lotherton Owls – seeing and hearing and Hejvig The Hedge Witch.
The Treasury of Trees 38 packed pages of facts, activities and investigations about trees, wildlife and the great outdoors. For Key Stage 2 children.
All the led activities at Lotherton Bird Garden in the Bird Brains series last one hour. They are usually combined with a Guided Tour of the Bird Garden, to make up a two hour morning or afternoon session. Hejvig The Hedge Witch and Nature Detectives are two hour activities.
If you would like to book our Education Officer for one or more activities, please ring (0113) 2645535 and ask for Julia. If you would like to buy an Education Pack, please ring the same number and ask to speak to our secretary for details.
Please note that the Parks and Countryside's Head Office main reception telephone number 0113 3957400 is staffed from 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am - 4.00pm on a Friday. Outside of these hours you can leave a message on the answerphone.