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Owl’loween at Cors Goch

On October 31, North Wales Wildlife Trust hosted “Owl’loween” at Cors Goch Nature Reserve, bringing families together for a day full of fun, learning, and a few spooky surprises! Held during the half-term break, this event was part of the Corsydd Calon Môn project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Corsydd Calon Môn aims to protect the precious wetlands of Ynys Môn, and Owl’loween offered a perfect chance for everyone to explore these special wild spaces. 

A Spooky Start 

Our team arrived early to get everything ready at Bryn Goleu cottage, setting up a cosy bonfire outside and a warm, flickering fire inside in case the weather changed. As we decorated the cottage with pumpkins and spotted the resident fox skull on the windowsill, things were already looking spooky. A little surprise visitor— a Palmate Newt—popped up in the cottage, reminding us that Cors Goch is teeming with wildlife, even when you least expect it! 

A still life arrangement on a rustic windowsill featuring a red-and-yellow mushroom, a fox skull, and a green-and-orange striped gourd. The fox skull is detailed with visible teeth and sits prominently beside the other natural objects. Through the window, a blurred view of an outdoor garden and another pumpkin can be seen, enhancing the autumnal, nature-inspired aesthetic.

Megan Jones

Exploring Cors Goch Together 

At 11 am, all our guests gathered around the bonfire for a warm welcome from our Education and Community Officer, Anna Williams, who gave an overview of the day. Then, we set off for a walk through Cors Goch, where children played a spotting game, searching for hidden treasures and learning about some fascinating plants along the way. The kids especially enjoyed the reserve’s boardwalk, splashing along in their wellies, wondering how deep each step might take them. They were introduced to insect-eating plants like bladderwort, sundew, and butterwort, got a whiff of bog myrtle, and learned about otters that make Cors Goch their home. On the way back, everyone collected leaves, twigs, seed pods, and other natural materials for a special owl-themed art activity. 

A blurred image of a child mid-jump, dressed in a navy sweater, colorful leggings, and bright yellow rain boots, playing in an outdoor setting. The background features dense greenery with wild plants, shrubs, and a tree with autumn-colored leaves. The scene captures the energy and joy of outdoor play in a natural, untamed environment.

Neil Dunsire

Crafting Our Own Owl Art 

Back at Bryn Goleu, the children used their gathered materials to decorate a giant owl outline made of rope on the ground. Each section of the owl was filled with leaves, mushrooms, flowers, and even stones, with the kids adding their own creative touches. One of the highlights? Discovering the sticky burdock seed heads (or “burrs”) and learning they were the inspiration for Velcro! Soon, everyone was tossing burrs at each other’s jumpers and creating massive burr balls, which led to plenty of laughter. 

A young girl with blonde hair smiles while wearing a handmade nature crown adorned with flowers, leaves, and seeds. She is dressed warmly in a multicolored striped puffer jacket and a leopard-print scarf. Behind her is a rustic white stone building with a slate roof and small, old windows, surrounded by bare branches and greenery, suggesting an autumn or early winter setting.

Neil Dunsire

Owl and Bat Quizzes 

With spirits still high, we moved up to the field for some quick-fire quizzes about owls and bats. Joel and Ginny, our nature reserves placement students, threw out some fascinating owl and bat facts while the kids dashed between “True” and “False” signs, trying to guess the right answer. Did you know the world’s smallest bat weighs less than a penny? The quizzes had everyone laughing, running, and picking up a few new facts about our flying friends. 

Two young people wearing colorful nature-themed headbands are holding signs for a "True or False" activity outdoors. The person on the left holds a sign reading "Gau / False" with a cartoon bat illustration, and the person on the right holds a sign reading "Gwir / True" with a cartoon owl. They are standing in a grassy field with bushes and trees in the background under an overcast sky, suggesting a nature-themed educational or recreational event.

Neil Dunsire

A Cosy Finish Around the Fire 

After all the games and running around, it was time to wind down. Everyone gathered around the bonfire to roast marshmallows and sip on hot chocolate, sharing stories of the day. Some of the curious kids even got hands-on with an owl pellet, uncovering tiny bones and learning about an owl’s diet with volunteer Ashleigh. This quiet moment gave everyone a chance to chat, reflect on what they’d seen, and appreciate the beauty of Cors Goch. 

We were also delighted to work with Medrwn Môn, who helped us promote the project and this event. It was lovely to have them join us on the day, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with them more in the future. 

We hope all who came along felt a bit more connected to the wild spaces around them—and maybe even inspired to come back for future adventures! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Owl’loween.  

A young girl wearing glasses and a nature-inspired crown made of leaves and feathers sits by a small campfire outdoors. She is dressed warmly in a black coat and patterned leggings, with a calm expression. In the background, there are stacked firewood, backpacks, and a few other people engaged in activities, some also wearing nature crowns. The setting appears to be a rustic, outdoor environment with scattered autumn leaves and natural elements.

Neil Dunsire

Owl'loween - Cors Goch 31/10/24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trjxPk1xns0)

A short film showing some of the activities at Owl'loween held at Cors Goch 31/10/24 as part of Corsydd Calon Môn - a collaborative project that aims to secure the future of the Anglesey Fens and celebrate their rich history.

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