VISITORS to Croome this winter can learn about the fascinating lives of local birds and their natural habitats.
National Trust’s latest exhibit at Croome will give visitors a chance to compare their arm span to the wing span of various life-size bird displays.
Those who visit can also experience life as a ‘feathered friend’ in the giant bird’s nest exhibit.
There will also be a fun filled activity sheet including a bird spotter tick list, and locations to seek out and explore across the parkland to learn more about the different habitats of Croome’s flocking birds.
Visitors will also still be able to experience two other bird themed exhibits – Thomas Bewick’s Looking Closely and Marcus Coates’ Conference for the Birds.
Thomas Bewick: Looking Closely explores the playful work of artist-engraver and naturalist, Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828).
Born at Cherryburn in Northumberland, he revolutionised engraving in Georgian England with his detailed miniature woodblock prints depicting rural life and the natural world.
Through his observations of animals and birds he was drawn to look closely at shapes, forms and colours in a way that is natural to both artists and scientists.
Looking Closely looks into Bewick’s career and work, including a chance to see both volumes of his most famous book A History of British Birds, taken from Croome’s collection as the inspiration and starting point for this exhibition. Also on display are a selection of tail-pieces, prints otherwise known as vignettes, and often referred to by Bewick as tale pieces.
An indication of his humour and moral character can be seen through close inspection of these small engravings, many offering commentary on important social issues of his time.
Conference for the Birds is a sound and sculpture installation by artist Marcus Coates.
Visitors are invited to sit with the sculptures, created as enlarged facsimiles of Thomas Bewick’s bird engravings from A History of British Birds.
The birds, played by six wildlife experts and Marcus Coates, discuss topics from migration to predation and the challenges they face day to day.
Conference for the Birds was originally commissioned by Newcastle University as part of their Mapping Contemporary Art in Heritage Experience.
Thomas Bewick’s exhibit will be available until February 18. Marcus Coates’ exhibit will be available until February 25.
Activity booklets for bird spotter checking and more will be £2. National Trust admission applies.
