ornithom
Member
I have just visited Blackbrook for the 6th time and have returned (as always) with a positive and encouraging view of this wonderful zoo! Since 2007 (my last visit) there has clearly been a huge input of money, time and effort by everyone involved in the zoo, which to me shows sheer dedication to the cause. Many new impressive aviaries have been built, including one near the Lakeland walk for flamingos, Roseate Spoonbill and the Pink-eared Duck, another one for the Asian Open-billed Storks and Black-necked Crane.
Blackbrook for me continues to be the sort of zoo where you can expect surprises and this time for me there were several (including the new buildings). There has been a significant ‘resuffling’ of the collection into a more rational organisation into continent-related species. ‘Water, wings and webs’ has returned to its old form of displaying the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Trumpeter and Royal Starling as well as 2 fabulous Purple-crested Turacos. The central area of the Lakeland Walk is where a lot of work was being done last time I visited and I’m pleased to say that it has paid-off. Several cranes have moved over here, and following the penguin pool building the whole area now looks ‘finished’ but the only disappointment of my visit was that the Red River Hogs have not arrived yet (apparently one of the pair died before arriving and so the zoo is looking into getting a different pair).
The best part about a decent zoo (for me anyway) is having something rare/unusual and Blackbrook never lets me down. This time, among my favourites were a pair of Pacific Reef-Egret (although I look forward to being corrected on this point!), Javan Pond-herons and Yellow-knobbed Curassow (again, not 100% on this). I’m posting some photos shortly.
These little gems, together with their jaw-dropping collection of Pheasants, most of the world’s waterfowl, 11 out of the world’s 15 species of crane, and the brilliant Pelican displays make Blackbrook Zoo a truly unforgettable place, and one that I look forward to visiting for many years.
I’d like to thank all the staff at Blackbrook for their hard-work and for answering my questions!
Blackbrook for me continues to be the sort of zoo where you can expect surprises and this time for me there were several (including the new buildings). There has been a significant ‘resuffling’ of the collection into a more rational organisation into continent-related species. ‘Water, wings and webs’ has returned to its old form of displaying the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Trumpeter and Royal Starling as well as 2 fabulous Purple-crested Turacos. The central area of the Lakeland Walk is where a lot of work was being done last time I visited and I’m pleased to say that it has paid-off. Several cranes have moved over here, and following the penguin pool building the whole area now looks ‘finished’ but the only disappointment of my visit was that the Red River Hogs have not arrived yet (apparently one of the pair died before arriving and so the zoo is looking into getting a different pair).
The best part about a decent zoo (for me anyway) is having something rare/unusual and Blackbrook never lets me down. This time, among my favourites were a pair of Pacific Reef-Egret (although I look forward to being corrected on this point!), Javan Pond-herons and Yellow-knobbed Curassow (again, not 100% on this). I’m posting some photos shortly.
These little gems, together with their jaw-dropping collection of Pheasants, most of the world’s waterfowl, 11 out of the world’s 15 species of crane, and the brilliant Pelican displays make Blackbrook Zoo a truly unforgettable place, and one that I look forward to visiting for many years.
I’d like to thank all the staff at Blackbrook for their hard-work and for answering my questions!
