Charlie's Chester zoo review 14/8/17

Part 6: Rowdy realm and flocks of flamingos

Realm of the red Ape for me this time was all about two things: Baby Tombol and the vivariums inside. During my last visit certain members of my party ran through without second though meaning I missed most vivs, but not this time.

I entered in the hopes of seeing most things, which I did, no birds in the first aviary but some good luck early on with the green tree monitor, red tailed racer and angle headed lizard, of which I saw all three. I noticed the first windows where now all covered, looking onto the outdoor enclosure so I knew this was off show for Tuan. Then came the spider, which was a hell of a lot bigger than I'd anticipated, it was right at the top of the viv but a nice spot. I also saw a small Sumatran rhino beetle, and a white lipped viper. There was no such luck with the black breasted leaf turtle which did upset me as they seemed so cute and I had hopes of seeing them, chameleon forest dragon, while I didn't see them, was no big deal as I had seen them at the Birmingham nature centre earlier in the year. I only saw one orang in the first enclosure, and it seemed to be a lone female, definitely not Sareki, meaning I missed seeing Tombol which was a shame. I never saw the lar gibbons either was strange, maybe they where all off show at that point and I was just unlucky. But the crowds where very bad and I can see why it annoys people. Looking at the jungle nymphs and reticulated python was hard but I got to see both. The Salvador's monitor as it was so large was another easy spot. I also saw my first hanging parrot and timor sparrow. Got a nice view of the pink headed fruit doves and the zebra finches. But my highlight here was the Boelean's python, my for certain now favourite snake species. It was amazing to see and I am happy I have seen one, I was not disappointing at all! Outside I saw no babirusa and thought I caught the otters from above but as they always do, they where no where to be found when we got down to their exhibit.

The flamingos, where as flamingos are, fine. If the chicks where a little younger maybe I would have been a little more excited, but they are fairly grown now, at least the ones I saw. Maybe one day if Chester does ever get a new flamingo species and has them in the wetland aviary in Tsavo I may be more impressed.
 
Lucky you got to see the White Lipped Tree Viper,the one animal I did'nt see during my last visit.
 
Charlie Simmomds said:
Also blue throated are defiantly the ones with the Inca jays right?
Click to expand...
The Inca Jay actually used to be in the aviary with the curassows but they moved the the blue-throat aviary. However I was unaware of this when I visited last month and I wasted loads of time looking for it in the curassow aviary. I didn't find out that they had moved until MagpieGoose told me on my review :p
 
Part 7: Aquatic animals

Of course the next stop was the penguin pool. There where no chicks in the nursery pool, and I'm not sure if any have been reared this year as there has been no news on it like there normally is.

All the penguins in the main pool are a joy to watch swimming about, sure they're common but you cant help watch and enjoy them.

Next came Europe on the edge where I got good views of a number of birds. The red breasted geese where nice to see, I just love their plumage in fairness. I also got a good view of the Eurasian spoonbills right by the fence as well as the black stork. I did go back a few minutes later to see one bald ibis on the cliffs while someone brought me ice cream.

Next came another lifer the giant otter! I saw a pair at the end of the enclosure and they where showing really well. Not sure if there are two or three as I only saw the two. But I was so happy to see them as I had missed them last time unfortunately so it was good to see them for once.

Then came the aquarium and wow the improvements that have been made are very good, the signage is much better, the tanks are still good and the range of species is great. Particularly enjoyed seeing the mudskippers and upside down jellyfishes and the back end of the salamander. The other fish in the aquarium where nice as well, blind cave fish tank is still empty but everything else I believe was stocked with very nice species.

After the aquarium we walked back past the otters hearing them calling and down towards the old tiger enclosure.
 
Charlie Simmomds said:
There where no chicks in the nursery pool, and I'm not sure if any have been reared this year as there has been no news on it like there normally is.
Click to expand...
There were chicks born this year as Komodo and I saw them last month. The zoo probably hasn't announced it because they will do it on Secret Life.

Charlie Simmomds said:
as well as the black stork.
Click to expand...
Are you sure that it was a black stork that you saw? I thought they got moved to the wetland aviary.
 
Water Dragon said:
There were chicks born this year as Komodo and I saw them last month. The zoo probably hasn't announced it because they will do it on Secret Life.


Are you sure that it was a black stork that you saw? I thought they got moved to the wetland aviary.
Click to expand...
They're in both,saw an individual in Europe on the edge and a pair in the wetlands aviary.
 
Charlie Simmomds said:
Part 6: Rowdy realm and flocks of flamingos

Realm of the red Ape for me this time was all about two things: Baby Tombol and the vivariums inside. During my last visit certain members of my party ran through without second though meaning I missed most vivs, but not this time.

I entered in the hopes of seeing most things, which I did, no birds in the first aviary but some good luck early on with the green tree monitor, red tailed racer and angle headed lizard, of which I saw all three. I noticed the first windows where now all covered, looking onto the outdoor enclosure so I knew this was off show for Tuan. Then came the spider, which was a hell of a lot bigger than I'd anticipated, it was right at the top of the viv but a nice spot. I also saw a small Sumatran rhino beetle, and a white lipped viper. There was no such luck with the black breasted leaf turtle which did upset me as they seemed so cute and I had hopes of seeing them, chameleon forest dragon, while I didn't see them, was no big deal as I had seen them at the Birmingham nature centre earlier in the year. I only saw one orang in the first enclosure, and it seemed to be a lone female, definitely not Sareki, meaning I missed seeing Tombol which was a shame. I never saw the lar gibbons either was strange, maybe they where all off show at that point and I was just unlucky. But the crowds where very bad and I can see why it annoys people. Looking at the jungle nymphs and reticulated python was hard but I got to see both. The Salvador's monitor as it was so large was another easy spot. I also saw my first hanging parrot and timor sparrow. Got a nice view of the pink headed fruit doves and the zebra finches. But my highlight here was the Boelean's python, my for certain now favourite snake species. It was amazing to see and I am happy I have seen one, I was not disappointing at all! Outside I saw no babirusa and thought I caught the otters from above but as they always do, they where no where to be found when we got down to their exhibit.

The flamingos, where as flamingos are, fine. If the chicks where a little younger maybe I would have been a little more excited, but they are fairly grown now, at least the ones I saw. Maybe one day if Chester does ever get a new flamingo species and has them in the wetland aviary in Tsavo I may be more impressed.
Click to expand...
Worth noting that the Chester Zebra Finches are Timor Zebras, now split as a full species from the Australian form, which has been domesticated and is in most pet shops in a variety of colours. The Timor ones are smaller and very active, and lack the chest bars.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top