I had a great time at Blackbrook, I saw all the 78 pelican species. I saw one of the three pairs of Kelp Geese in the UK. I saw 4 new crane taxa and the Cape Stone Curlew.
None of the Canada Geese were labelled, excepting the Cackling Canada Goose, so I photographed all of them and will try to match them to subspecies later. I could recognise the Giant Canada Goose, it was huge.
A surprise was seeing African Pygmy Geese, I last saw these birds 20 years ago. Also in the aviary was a Black-headed Duck, which I didn't see.
I saw my first Squacco Herons, but there were no Hadada Ibis. I saw American White Ibis but an agressive Horned Screamer put paid to any thoughts I had about approaching right up to the wire, and the ibis stubbonly stayed right at the back. They couldn't have picked a better spot to hide from a photographer.
I spent a total of one hour looking for the marmot, she did not show herself.
The two turacos I would have liked to see were not there, and the only pheasant they had which I've not seen, Germain's Peacock, also stayed hidden.
I nearly missed the Black-necked and Florida Sandhill Canes owing to work in progress on the penguin pool, but when the builders opened up the pathway around 3pm it was possible to see them. There are now 2 pairs of Greater Sandhill Cranes.
I thought it was a great place, and took around 90 photos. I can't wait to get them back. I'll post my good ones, (my bad ones too if anyone wants to see some terrible shots).
I did find it strange though to see so many aviaries in the car park, so I left 30 minutes at the end of my visit to look at those. Many pheasants and owls are kept in these blocks, but also some kookaburras, seriemas and a few other species.
The cassowaries were housed together and the red kangaroo baby has begun to show itself.
Now that I've made the effort and visited, I hope to go regularly. It's almost on my doorstep.
