Just got back from my first visit to Exmoor of 2023, and my fourth ever. It was a brilliant day.
As mentioned upthread, there was a Green Tree Python in a terrarium besides the poison dart frogs, within the entrance building, alongside an Amazon Tree Boa. There are still individuals of both species present within the Tropical House. Speaking of which, thanks to
@Tim May and
@ShonenJake13 , as I too didn't realise that the monitor was a Blue-tailed Monitor. The individual was very active, seen resting on the log in the centre of the enclosure, before stretching out, then climbing along to the outdoor window opposite the squirrel monkeys. And, for the first time ever, I saw an active Australian Green Tree Frog, leaping about its enclosure.
Despite many attempts, the Ringtail were not seen, and I only saw single, sleeping Yellow-throated Marten. The lake looks surprisingly good with the new netting, and the walkway adds a delightful new view. Pink-backed Pelican and Common Eider could be seen in one half, while the other housed Inca Terns. An absurd abundance of tadpoles could be seen in both halves, further convincing myself that Exmoor is one of the best zoos in the country for native wildlife. In the corner besides the Education Centre, what I believe was previously unused is now a pleasant aviary, housing at least two Puna Ibis and three Boat-billed Herons. It was wonderful to see the latter species at last after they had evaded me so many times before. I believe these are the females, as they seemed to be more grey in colouration than the one who shared with the storks (29 on the map), although I could be mistaken.
I saw the Red Panda from Bristol who now shares with the Azara's Agouti. The enclosure has been netted entirely and a single animal could be seen resting on a platform in the centre. Spent quite some time trying to locate the Maned Wolf pups, although ultimately, I only saw one adult resting among the long grass, before standing up to relocate, only to vanish again. The black leopard has arrived from an unspecified zoo in France, although is still in quarantine and only had access to the indoor space as a result. I only managed to spot its tail in the offshow enclosure at the back of the indoors.
As mentioned upthread, the zoo no longer houses Fishing Cats or Tayra - the former enclosure is now home to African Civets and the latter is now home to Rusty-spotted Cats. Both species are still signed at their original enclosures elsewhere in the zoo (although only the civet was seen there), so it could well be temporary. Some good news which I don't believe has been mentioned, however, is that New Guinea Singing Dogs have returned to the zoo! I spotted a pair of them in the same enclosure where the original pair were once held, beside the Servals.
The Shoebill proved as impressive as ever. I was very impressed to have the enclosure completely to myself when it looked upwards, and snapped its bill to create a hammering or drumming sound of sorts, which I believe is its only way of making sounds. The aviary opposite the Shoebill no longer houses flamingo (which may be offshow while they await their new home at the lake), insead housing Red-crested Pochard, Indian Spot-billed Duck and Southern Screamer, with the latter, I believe, being a new addition since my last visit.
Sadly, I could only see one of the Indochinese Binturong, although given how shadowy the enclosure is and how reflective the glass is, it most likely is nothing to be concerned about. A delightful subspecies, so large and hairy that they resemble a bear with a long tail more than they do a civet!
I was really impressed by all the stork and crane aviaries around the zoo. Between this visit and the last time I saw them, I had seen both animals flying in the wild, and had been to several zoos where the animals are pinioned, so it was wonderful for an aviary to be constructed that allows them free flight. Strangely, the pathway between their aviaries and the mara and rhea enclosure was open at first, but upon my final lap of the zoo, was blocked off by red tape. A sign at the Incubation Station listing all bird hatchings of the year so far mentioned that Black-crowned Night Herons had been born, although despite many attempts, I could only locate the adults.
Just about all the usual highlights were visible - a pair of Spotted Fanaloka could be seen indoors for most of the day, with one venturing outside on my final lap. It 'only' took me three attempts to see the Honey Badgers this time, compared to five on my previous visit, although they made up for the wait yet again with hyper-activity. The Sand Cats and Margay were delightful, and the Bluestripe Garter Snake in the Encounter Zone were brilliant - I saw five of them, far more than I thought there were, huddled up together in their signature congregations. The Pond Life Aviary was brilliant - I saw seven European Pond Turtles, spending much of my visit in this enclosure waiting for them to surface, returning later on in the day to see most of them basking on the banks. Two Pied Avocets could also be seen, as well.
Overall, a wonderful day at one of my favourite UK zoos.
Images of the Boat-billed Heron and Puna Ibis aviary, as well as the list of bird breedings this year, can be seen below:
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️News flash Pedro has moved house
