Leyla • 12 • Dublin

12-15 Category   •  2026
My name is Leyla and I’m 12. I was inspired to create this artwork because I love birds. I came from Australia and I wanted to learn more about Ireland’s birds. I read about the “Irish skydancer” that is close to extinction. The Hen Harrier is a rare ground nesting bird of prey. When a male brings food to a nesting female the male will drop the prey and the female will leap into the air, perform a roll mid-air to catch the prey then land on her nest. In the last ten years Hen Harriers population has decreased by 30% due to deforestation. We have 10 years to save the population.The reason I chose to draw this bird was because the Hen Harrier is endangered like so many other creatures. I believe that we should be more aware and mindful of our impact as humans on nature.  First I sketched the actual bird, then I drew the background. Afterwards I painted the background then the bird using watercolours. After I outlined and added details with coloured pencils.