Birdworld Birdworld Updates

A very pleasant first visit to the collection today. Here are some highlights and observations I noted whilst there:
  • It was great to finally see the Bank Cormorant as I understand it is quite an ageing bird which originally came from Living Coasts. It was also nice to see Australian Pelicans back in a UK public collection.
  • I found the wader & penguin walkthrough aviaries very pleasant indeed with a good range of interesting and less commonly seen species in each.
  • The Owl Academy was rather underwhelming with rather average aviaries for the inhabitants plus the species weren't of great note. (Western Barn, Snowy, Burrowing, Spectacled & Long-eared)
  • It was nice to see the diversity of different turacos dotted throughout the site.
  • There seems to be an incredibly heavy focus on play areas on the site as they are building a third large area for children. I know that it gives the children time to burn off steam but when booking tickets last night, you have to scroll to the bottom of the website to even get a mention they have live birds on site and there were far less people looking at the species on show than in the respective cafes.
 
Prochilodus246 said:
A very pleasant first visit to the collection today. Here are some highlights and observations I noted whilst there:
  • It was great to finally see the Bank Cormorant as I understand it is quite an ageing bird which originally came from Living Coasts. It was also nice to see Australian Pelicans back in a UK public collection.
  • I found the wader & penguin walkthrough aviaries very pleasant indeed with a good range of interesting and less commonly seen species in each.
  • The Owl Academy was rather underwhelming with rather average aviaries for the inhabitants plus the species weren't of great note. (Western Barn, Snowy, Burrowing, Spectacled & Long-eared)
  • It was nice to see the diversity of different turacos dotted throughout the site.
  • There seems to be an incredibly heavy focus on play areas on the site as they are building a third large area for children. I know that it gives the children time to burn off steam but when booking tickets last night, you have to scroll to the bottom of the website to even get a mention they have live birds on site and there were far less people looking at the species on show than in the respective cafes.
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It's been ages since I last visited,but, I remember a wave making machine used in the waders aviary, could you tell me if its still in use, please.
 
Newzooboy said:
It hasn't been used for some years - I think it was removed in the last re-fit.....even that was quite a while ago.
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Thats a shame, I thought it was a really good feature in a very good aviary. I have never seen one since, surprised other collection's haven't done something similar.
 
On July 9th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1f) chestnut-backed thrush named Gilly from Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland (after its previous female passed away in 2024). The zoo also announced that (1m.1f) thrushes hatched and fledged in May, with another thrush (later named Potato) hatching in summer.

Birdworld is celebrating its latest conservation success, centred around one of the world’s most elusive and endangered little songbirds. - Birdworld

On July 23rd, it was mentioned that the zoo acquired a (0.1f) southern ground hornbill from Chessington Zoo in Greater London*.

Smaggledagle said:
On November 6th, the zoo announced that they received a multi-million pound planning permission to build the largest playarea in the region on the current site of Jenny Wren's Farm.

Birdworld Surrey
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On July 28th, the zoo opened the play area, called Treetop Adventures, to the public.

5.1K views · 137 reactions | TREETOP ADVENTURES IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! what an amazing launch! available to book tickets now Tag someone that needs to come with you #FamilyFun #KidsActivities #FamilyEvent #FunForAllAges #FamilyTime #ExploreTogether #AdventureAwaits #CreateMemories #FamilyOuting #FamilyFriendly #birdworld #birdworldsurrey #birds #dayoutwithkids #daysoutwithkids #familydayout | Birdworld UK

On August 7th, the zoo announced that a (1m.0) Montserrat oriole hatched in 2024, which is on display in Love + Colour.

21 reactions | He may be small but he has a huge load of attitude! Montserrat Orioles may only weigh 35g but they are bold, cheeky and love to throw that weight around! Come visit our two young males in Love + Colour. You can even tell them apart as our youngster from last year is still in his juvenile plumage! #birdworld #birdworlduk #montserratoriole #oriole #Montserrat #bird #zoobirds #biaza #birdsofinstagram | Birdworld UK

On August 18th, the zoo announced that 2 Western European barn owls hatched, which are on display in Owl Academy.

1.3K views · 127 reactions | We've been keeping a secret! We're very pleased to announce the hatching (and growing!) of two barn owl chicks from our pair Maureen and Eliott! They have finally fledged the nest and can be seen at our Owl Academy. Senior Keeper Ale recorded her recent nest check, making sure the angry little ones were healthy and ready to fly out in the world! #birdworld #Owl #bird #Barnowl #birdworldsurrey #birdsofinstagram #zoobirds #owlacademy | Birdworld UK

On August 25th, the zoo announced that a (1m.0) Humboldt penguin hatched in April, which is on exhibit.

35 reactions | Watch our little baby Humbolt Penguin (he's actually 4 months old and technically capable of eating for himself!) try to get dad Mr Otto to give him a tasty dinner treat! Our Humbolt Penguin talk runs daily at 11am at Penguin Island, come see if you can spot our little baby... and stay tuned for his big social media reveal! #birdworld #birdworldsurrey #birdworlduk #humboldtpengujn #penguin #penguinsofinstagram #birdworldstories #drcod | Birdworld UK

On September 13th, the zoo announced that 6 Inca terns hatched in 2025, which are on display in Wetland Waders.

Birdworld UK

On September 15th, the zoo announced that a 3rd African penguin hatched in 2025, which is on exhibit. The zoo also announced they acquired an African penguin from Hertfordshire Zoo in Hertfordshire in May.

Birdworld UK

On September 17th, the zoo announced that a speckled pigeon hatched.

Birdworld UK

On November 6th, the zoo announced they started construction on a new indoor play area called the Play Barn, which will open to the public sometime in winter.

23K views · 83 reactions | Jump into new play spaces for the naturally imaginative Birdworld is evolving, with a fresh focus on family time together, enjoying and exploring nature. Designed with accessibility in mind, nest swings and wheelchair-friendly routes are woven in and around both the indoor and outdoor play areas. Lower-level, timber pathways take you past plenty of interactive learning stations for hands-on play and fun fact-finding. Opening soon! ✨ www.birdworld.co.uk/play/ #Birdworld #NaturallyPlayful #NewAtBirdworld #IndoorPlay #FamilyAdventure #GetReadyToPlay | Birdworld UK

On November 7th, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza concerns, they moved some of their bird species indoors, with the possibility of temp closing some of their walkthrough exhibits to the public in the future.

Avian Influenza Prevention Measures - Birdworld

* Information sourced from @tennisfan in the Chessington World of Adventures 2025 thread (Page 2 Post #26).
 
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