adrian1963
Well-Known Member
Visited Birdland Park & Gardens on the 27/02/2012 after a long journey involving taking a Taxi 2 Trains and a coach trip cost was not that bad all in all it cost me £40 which in today’s money isn’t bad at all.
On arrival I was greeted by a very friendly member of staff at the entrance point who was very informative about what was going on around the collection and the small reserve at the rear of the Park.
Now down to it this is a collection of rare, common and natural species some of the enclosures looked like they had been refurbished or built in the last couple of years, some looked a little tired but overall it was a very pleasing sight to the eye.
The collection itself was a little pleasing to the eye the collection had been well presented and the species had been placed together rather well so as to keep you interested in every enclosure which these days is hard to come by in most collections.
The Desert Exhibit was a little surprising as this was not a walk through (unfortunately no walk through’s anywhere in this collection) but yet the way the exhibit had been set out there was no problem seeing all the areas and species on display.
The King Penguins (what a size they are) these are the first I had seen and having them on show with Humboldt’s Penguins gives you a real perspective as to the size of the Kings It’s a pity no more collections have these wonderful birds as they would make a very attractive addition to most collections.
The enclosure itself was a very good size for the birds within it and it was very pleasing to see a display were you could actually get really close to the birds (mind you that said could be a problem with small children) didn’t like the fact that the ground all around the pool was of solid concrete and rocks would like to have seen some other material used say a bit of sand or chippings just to break it up a little.
Next came a row of enclosures that in I didn’t really want to look at as they reminded me of the bad old days of small and tight but that said they were great when you actually got there very well used to suit the species within them, they were very well stocked and the way the species displayed themselves you could tell the species were very happy with the conditions they were being kept in (well done to the staff).
I won’t go round enclosure by enclosure but would like to point out a few, the 2 pools they have the Flamingos in are of great size and give the birds a different challenge one end calm and shallow the end a little fast running and deeper (Caribbean& Chilean in one and Greater in the other).
A little surprised that there were not more Birds of prey in the collection but you can’t have everything.
The Hornbills they have are greatly exhibited and I must admit the more I see the Hornbills the more I seen to be getting attracted to them, the one I like the best was the Northern Ground Hornbill what a size and what a beautiful bird (if only I could get an aviary big enough at home).
Next the nature walk through (reserve) at the rear of the collection this is still a work in progress but this is coming on great, the area consists of a natural coppice area a river following round the edge a small clearing a Marsh area and a reed edged pool.
They have a Hide overlooks the River Windrush and as some feeders just in front for easy viewing of the local wildlife, they are also constructing a mini mammals area this will consist of an area covered in wild grass and old wood.
Saw my first Kingfisher while in the hide perched about 30ft away for just a few seconds but did manage to get a photograph will put in gallery later other species seen (wild) while walking around included -
Rook, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Black Headed Gull, Jackdaw, Gold Finch, Feral Pigeon, Robin, Grey Wagtail, Mallard, Kingfisher, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Moorhen. Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Lesser Redpoll & House Sparrow
Overall View –
I would return here with no problems about anything as I found this to be a very interesting and educational place not just for me but for children as well.
The appearance of the place was tidy and attractive the staff very cheerful and informative the price very reasonable (£7.50 + £1.95 for guide book) unfortunately the café was closed but you were informed about his before you paid any money over, all other amenities were open and clean and tidy.
All produce once on the park was very reasonably priced toilets were very clean and tidy.
Looking forward to the future of this place as the new owners take over shortly and by all accounts will be increasing the size of the collection quite considerably.
Any question I will try to answer.
Overall score 9 out of 10
On arrival I was greeted by a very friendly member of staff at the entrance point who was very informative about what was going on around the collection and the small reserve at the rear of the Park.
Now down to it this is a collection of rare, common and natural species some of the enclosures looked like they had been refurbished or built in the last couple of years, some looked a little tired but overall it was a very pleasing sight to the eye.
The collection itself was a little pleasing to the eye the collection had been well presented and the species had been placed together rather well so as to keep you interested in every enclosure which these days is hard to come by in most collections.
The Desert Exhibit was a little surprising as this was not a walk through (unfortunately no walk through’s anywhere in this collection) but yet the way the exhibit had been set out there was no problem seeing all the areas and species on display.
The King Penguins (what a size they are) these are the first I had seen and having them on show with Humboldt’s Penguins gives you a real perspective as to the size of the Kings It’s a pity no more collections have these wonderful birds as they would make a very attractive addition to most collections.
The enclosure itself was a very good size for the birds within it and it was very pleasing to see a display were you could actually get really close to the birds (mind you that said could be a problem with small children) didn’t like the fact that the ground all around the pool was of solid concrete and rocks would like to have seen some other material used say a bit of sand or chippings just to break it up a little.
Next came a row of enclosures that in I didn’t really want to look at as they reminded me of the bad old days of small and tight but that said they were great when you actually got there very well used to suit the species within them, they were very well stocked and the way the species displayed themselves you could tell the species were very happy with the conditions they were being kept in (well done to the staff).
I won’t go round enclosure by enclosure but would like to point out a few, the 2 pools they have the Flamingos in are of great size and give the birds a different challenge one end calm and shallow the end a little fast running and deeper (Caribbean& Chilean in one and Greater in the other).
A little surprised that there were not more Birds of prey in the collection but you can’t have everything.
The Hornbills they have are greatly exhibited and I must admit the more I see the Hornbills the more I seen to be getting attracted to them, the one I like the best was the Northern Ground Hornbill what a size and what a beautiful bird (if only I could get an aviary big enough at home).
Next the nature walk through (reserve) at the rear of the collection this is still a work in progress but this is coming on great, the area consists of a natural coppice area a river following round the edge a small clearing a Marsh area and a reed edged pool.
They have a Hide overlooks the River Windrush and as some feeders just in front for easy viewing of the local wildlife, they are also constructing a mini mammals area this will consist of an area covered in wild grass and old wood.
Saw my first Kingfisher while in the hide perched about 30ft away for just a few seconds but did manage to get a photograph will put in gallery later other species seen (wild) while walking around included -
Rook, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Black Headed Gull, Jackdaw, Gold Finch, Feral Pigeon, Robin, Grey Wagtail, Mallard, Kingfisher, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Moorhen. Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Lesser Redpoll & House Sparrow
Overall View –
I would return here with no problems about anything as I found this to be a very interesting and educational place not just for me but for children as well.
The appearance of the place was tidy and attractive the staff very cheerful and informative the price very reasonable (£7.50 + £1.95 for guide book) unfortunately the café was closed but you were informed about his before you paid any money over, all other amenities were open and clean and tidy.
All produce once on the park was very reasonably priced toilets were very clean and tidy.
Looking forward to the future of this place as the new owners take over shortly and by all accounts will be increasing the size of the collection quite considerably.
Any question I will try to answer.
Overall score 9 out of 10
