I always like to add a new collection to my UK list and enjoyed this more than I expected , giving its web-site which is all cartoons .
Set outside the village of Desford , near to Leicester , the collection is set mostly in woodland , housed in simple timber and wood aviaries . If you do not like the Parrot family then I would not recommend a visit as there is not a vast amount else - pairs of Snowy and Eagle owls , Kookaburra , very nice Red-billed toucan , Trumpeter Hornbill and a few others . A pair of Emu live in a small paddock at the bottom of the car park .
The Parrot collection is quite extensive with many species of Macaw , Amazon Parrot , Cockatoo and many others . A large flock of African Greys , including the duller-coloured Timneh sub-species , greet visitors with a variety of 'Hellos' and whistles . There is a walk-through and several walk-in aviaries . All aviaries are out-door , there is no Tropical House or anything similar .
Choice species were pairs of Black parrot ( there are a few Vasas around in other collections but I do not remember seeing this close relative elsewhere in the UK ) , Hyacinthine macaw and Keas , also a large group of Military macws . Most birds were in single species aviaries rather than large mixed groups . I thought the labelling on the aviaries was good .
There is a large number of tame , free-flying Parrots of many species , with small huts/aviaries dotted around the ground from which they had congregated in the centre near to the Cafe . I only saw a pair of Galah flying around , it must be spectacular when the big Macaws take off . This aspect reminded me of the old Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water . A nursery for hand-reared youngsters was on view , these were for sale . I hope they also give their birds the opportunity to rear their own chicks .
Set outside the village of Desford , near to Leicester , the collection is set mostly in woodland , housed in simple timber and wood aviaries . If you do not like the Parrot family then I would not recommend a visit as there is not a vast amount else - pairs of Snowy and Eagle owls , Kookaburra , very nice Red-billed toucan , Trumpeter Hornbill and a few others . A pair of Emu live in a small paddock at the bottom of the car park .
The Parrot collection is quite extensive with many species of Macaw , Amazon Parrot , Cockatoo and many others . A large flock of African Greys , including the duller-coloured Timneh sub-species , greet visitors with a variety of 'Hellos' and whistles . There is a walk-through and several walk-in aviaries . All aviaries are out-door , there is no Tropical House or anything similar .
Choice species were pairs of Black parrot ( there are a few Vasas around in other collections but I do not remember seeing this close relative elsewhere in the UK ) , Hyacinthine macaw and Keas , also a large group of Military macws . Most birds were in single species aviaries rather than large mixed groups . I thought the labelling on the aviaries was good .
There is a large number of tame , free-flying Parrots of many species , with small huts/aviaries dotted around the ground from which they had congregated in the centre near to the Cafe . I only saw a pair of Galah flying around , it must be spectacular when the big Macaws take off . This aspect reminded me of the old Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water . A nursery for hand-reared youngsters was on view , these were for sale . I hope they also give their birds the opportunity to rear their own chicks .