A trip to Devon

Crowthorne

Crowthorne

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10+ year member
Hi all!

In just over a week I'll be heading down to Devon for a little holiday, staying in Paignton. Am hoping to get to Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts and Shaldon whilst I'm down there, all first-time visits, and was wondering if there was anything I should really keep an eye out for? Any unusual species? Am pretty excited about the kiwi at Paignton, and finally a chance to see a takin, although my usual thing is for small mammals. Any hints about best times to see things? Are the cafes/restaurants any good?

Sorry for so many questions, thanking you all in advance :)
 
One of the standout species for me is the Echidna at Paignton -I've always found late afternoon to be the best time to see it. I also got a soft spot for the Baboon Rock (long may it continue).

Be prepared for quite a trek at Paignton, it's quite hilly in places (particularly up towards the Echidna) and there's sometimes quite a walk between exhibits.

Shaldon's got a small nocturnal house that's full of nice species (including 3 types of loris and mouse lemur).

Living Coasts real rarities are the two Bank Comorants who always seem to be on the same rock shelf.

In terms of eating:

I've always found Paignton to have a pretty good selection. The ice creams there are good too.

Shaldon doesn't have any facilities but there's a really good cafe/restaurant (ODE) on the edge of the car park.

Never been that impressed with Living Coasts catering (poor variety, weird opening times in past) but given it's in the middle of Torquay you'll have plenty of other options -there's a really good chippy along the harbour on Living Coasts side. Bistro Pierre around the bay a little further is also very nice if you want a sit down meal.
 
For small mammals at Paignton, the echidna is usually quite reliable in the afternoon and the pygmy hedgehog tenrecs are usually easy to see, although they are very rarely awake. It has been a long time since I saw a tailless tenrec, but I usually leave before the late afternoon, so you might be lucky then. You shouldn't have problems with the kusimanses, tree-shrews and marmosets etc (mostly in Monkey Heights).
At Shaldon, don't miss the Owston's palm civets which may only be visible at feeding time (late afternoon - but it might be worth phoning first to check, it's a small collection so you wouldn't want to wait for hours and hours).

Alan
 
Highlights at Living Coasts other than the Bank Cormorants include the King Eider, Tufted Puffins, Red-Legged Kittiwake and the Black-Legged Kittiwakes - although the latter of these is a species native to the UK, the subspecies held at Living Coasts is the Pacific subspecies.
 
gentle lemur said:
For small mammals at Paignton, the echidna is usually quite reliable in the afternoon and the pygmy hedgehog tenrecs are usually easy to see, although they are very rarely awake. It has been a long time since I saw a tailless tenrec, but I usually leave before the late afternoon, so you might be lucky then. You shouldn't have problems with the kusimanses, tree-shrews and marmosets etc (mostly in Monkey Heights).
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The echidna at Paignton is fantastic, never seen him asleep! Best time to get to the exhibit is late afternoon and you should see some monotreme action! ;)
Generally speaking Paignton is an excellent zoo with most ABC boxes ticked with a decent smattering of unusual animals dotted around. On a personal note it's one of my favourites! :)

gentle lemur said:
At Shaldon, don't miss the Owston's palm civets which may only be visible at feeding time (late afternoon - but it might be worth phoning first to check, it's a small collection so you wouldn't want to wait for hours and hours.
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When I was last at Shaldon the civets and margays were fed at 3 and 3.30 and both were highly visible. Also Shaldon is full of small mammal goodies and also includes kusimanse so you'll be able to tick them off twice during your trip.

Living Coasts is a decent collection with some very nice views across Torbay. Dave has already given a comprehensive list of the oddities there, just don't expect much once you venture below; the aquarium and mangrove sections don't have the same appeal (to me anyway) as the aviary section.
 
Paignton: Once you've seen the Takin, carry on round to what is called the Barbary Sheep enclosure but, at my last count, contains 1 Sheep and 3 West Caucasian Tur. In my opinion, it's the best exhibit for its species in the zoo.
 
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Thank you so much for the advice everyone, really much appreciated :) So many nice species to look out for, will be spoilt for choice! Have only seen an echidna once, at the final RSCC opening weekend, but that one was quite shy, Paignton’s one sounds like a more active character! Will make sure to check the civet/margay feeding times at Shaldon too, would be nice to get a good view :) And anywhere with a nocturnal house is a bonus with me!

It’s kinda funny, after never having seen a kusimanse, I saw my first ones just the other week at Shepreth, and now I’ll be visiting two zoos with them within a week. They really are still a novelty for me, looking forward to seeing them again! Wonder why more places don’t keep them?

Thank you too Shorts for the catering advice. Sometimes it’s good to know I don’t have to carry around sandwiches that will only get unappetising after a morning in my bag :p
 
Shaldon didn't have any Cusimanse when I visited over easter,the enclosure was under going a re-furb!
 
Kusimanses are one of the best things about south-west England's zoos! Much as you like small mammals though, why not just keep walking past the Echidna enclave at Paignton and feast your eyes on the parrot aviaries at the top of the hill!!!! (Only joking, Echidna aficionados - even though it's what I'd do!)
 
Heading off to Shaldon today, been to Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts so far (and due a return trip to Paignton tomorrow, we were a bit overwhelmed at the weekend and accidentally missed some areas first time around!). Really liked LC aviary section, and had the best viewing ever of an echidna, he really is a bold little guy! Also must have spent about an hour in the rainforest/desert house. :) Is PZ's nocturnal house always that dark? Thought Bristol's was dark but this was something else.
 
Crowthorne said:
Is PZ's nocturnal house always that dark? Thought Bristol's was dark but this was something else.
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Have you been to Hamerton? The Sloth House is way darker than either Paignton or Bristol I think, and far more cramped. You can't even feel your way around beacuse you'll end up grabbing someone.

Very jealous of the echidna; I didn't see it at all on my visit.
 
Try Newquay. Sloth frolicking around in walkthrough Tropical House with some seriously good birds.
Newquay's Nocturnal House has Owston's Civets and Grey Slender Loris. Life actually doesn't get much better.
Having said that, Bruce the Paignton Echidna is pretty amazing, and usually out. Late afternoon may be best.
 
FBBird said:
Newquay's Nocturnal House has Owston's Civets and Grey Slender Loris. Life actually doesn't get much better.
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Of course, she will be seeing both at Shaldon today anyhow :p
 
Crowthorne said:
Is PZ's nocturnal house always that dark? Thought Bristol's was dark but this was something else.
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I visited the Nocturnal House a few weeks ago, after ignoring it for a long time, and had to grope my way round and feel for the exit. On my next visit, there was some light. The bats have gone, replaced by meerkats that can usually be seen outside, and as far as I could tell there were no sloths (one went to Folly Farm). So really there's nothing to see in there now even if you could.
 
Paignton: you might like to go and see the Burmese Python (think that's the correct ID) coiled round her recently-laid eggs in Croc Swamp. I'll put a photo in the Gallery later.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
Of course, she will be seeing both at Shaldon today anyhow :p
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Funnily enough, didn't see either! Have seen Slender Loris many times at London so not too upset there, plus the Bengal Slow Loris was nice and active which made up for the hidden Slenders; little sad not to see the Civets though, but found out the female had just had surgery so they are allowed access to an off-show den to help her recover. Did see the margays briefly, which was great, and the Douroucoulis :)
 
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