Alwaysevergreen
Well-Known Member
That's some drop in species, when did you last visit ? I'm sure when I went in June, there was Bar-Head Goose.
Slimbridge WWT Slimbridge WWT
- Thread starter zoogiraffe
- Start date
It was 2019 didn't return due to family illness and the loss of my mother but I'm glad I visited this week but a little disappointed.
Hoping to visit Martin Mere WWT shortly by train from New Street, Birmingham
Hoping to visit Martin Mere WWT shortly by train from New Street, Birmingham
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Sadly Slimbridge are now down to only two Spoon-billed sandpipers which have been behind the scenes since they arrived back in 2011. This species will certainly disappear from captivity in the next few years. 
If anyone visits Slimbridge in the next few weeks- I'm trying to establish if they still keep Ashy and/or Ruddy-headed geese there, and if so, if either (or both) species are currently on display. Most likely place to find them would be in the Sheldgeese pens area I think.
I have asked Slimbridge direct but no reply so far.
I have asked Slimbridge direct but no reply so far.
Both species are still listed on ZIMS for Slimbridge - but that doesn't confirm whether they're on exhibit or not.
I visited Slimbridge yesterday, my first visit since December 2019 so four years ago. I can confirm that they do have Ashy-headed geese (a reference to my previous posts above) and they are on exhibit, in a small pen at the beginning of the South American section. Slimbridge had already told me this, plus that they still have the Ruddy-headed too, but these are not on show. So I was prepared for what I saw and found them easily. But they were not in this pen, (or anywhere visible) on my last visit I'm quite sure.
Overall, like Adrian1963 (see his post and list of 'missing' species upthread) I noticed a further overall reduction in the number of captive species held (or at least those on show). I did probably miss some species though as I didn't have too long for the visit. Regarding the Sheldgeese, which are/used to be among my favourites- the individual pens, which were half empty last time, seem to have disappeared(?) altogether now. I was told they no long keep the Upland, Cereopsis, Andean, Blue-winged etc- or at least none of them are on-show anymore. Only the Ashy-headed- which was fortunate for me. I may contact them again to find out more exactly the situation with the others i.e. whether not kept anymore or offshow.
The trend definately continues toward simplifying the collection, with the free-flight aviaries and other newer Wetland exhibits replacing the waterfowl 'stamp collection' of the past. Far fewer geese for a start, though I did see Red-breasted and Brent geese in one enclosure, while Emperor and White fronteds(?) are now in the 'Arctic experience' area and Hawaiians now in a geographical area of their own.. I missed the Australian area so not sure about species like Magpie Goose, Freckled ducks etc. We really liked the free-flight Wetland/Wader Aviary. The ageing James' Flamingo 'Mr James' is still there though we couldn't identify him among the flock as many of them were asleep.
A few photos posted in the gallery.
Overall, like Adrian1963 (see his post and list of 'missing' species upthread) I noticed a further overall reduction in the number of captive species held (or at least those on show). I did probably miss some species though as I didn't have too long for the visit. Regarding the Sheldgeese, which are/used to be among my favourites- the individual pens, which were half empty last time, seem to have disappeared(?) altogether now. I was told they no long keep the Upland, Cereopsis, Andean, Blue-winged etc- or at least none of them are on-show anymore. Only the Ashy-headed- which was fortunate for me. I may contact them again to find out more exactly the situation with the others i.e. whether not kept anymore or offshow.
The trend definately continues toward simplifying the collection, with the free-flight aviaries and other newer Wetland exhibits replacing the waterfowl 'stamp collection' of the past. Far fewer geese for a start, though I did see Red-breasted and Brent geese in one enclosure, while Emperor and White fronteds(?) are now in the 'Arctic experience' area and Hawaiians now in a geographical area of their own.. I missed the Australian area so not sure about species like Magpie Goose, Freckled ducks etc. We really liked the free-flight Wetland/Wader Aviary. The ageing James' Flamingo 'Mr James' is still there though we couldn't identify him among the flock as many of them were asleep.
A few photos posted in the gallery.
Last edited:
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
@Pertinax
On my visit in January last year I don't even recall much of the Australian section. I remember the Magpie geese but no other species from the region and certainly no Freckled duck.
It's very much a shame that WWT is simplifying their collections. They are a fantastic place for any bird or wildfowl enthusiast but on my visit I left disappointed with only a meagre fraction of the species I actually wanted to see, seen.
WWT & Peter Scott were so influential in the conservation and breeding of the Nene and much of the work in their captive side of the reserves just seems to be exhibiting a very small number of species with only a few being of any conservation concern. For example they are exhibiting Aythya fuligula when you can see hundreds of wild individuals on their reserves and often very close up from the hides.
I just feel that the captive collection is now just there so people not interested in birdwatching can visit and see birds (as well as the amphibs) and don't take great interest in the exact species like us zoo nerds so they can exhibit a small number of species but still be able to bring the general public through the doors. I guess it does require a lot less feeding and costs but I always found the WWT sites as a young child a fantastic place as you travelled to different parts of the world in waterfowl terms and saw the sheer variety and beauty of the family Anatidae.
On my visit in January last year I don't even recall much of the Australian section. I remember the Magpie geese but no other species from the region and certainly no Freckled duck.
It's very much a shame that WWT is simplifying their collections. They are a fantastic place for any bird or wildfowl enthusiast but on my visit I left disappointed with only a meagre fraction of the species I actually wanted to see, seen.
WWT & Peter Scott were so influential in the conservation and breeding of the Nene and much of the work in their captive side of the reserves just seems to be exhibiting a very small number of species with only a few being of any conservation concern. For example they are exhibiting Aythya fuligula when you can see hundreds of wild individuals on their reserves and often very close up from the hides.
I just feel that the captive collection is now just there so people not interested in birdwatching can visit and see birds (as well as the amphibs) and don't take great interest in the exact species like us zoo nerds so they can exhibit a small number of species but still be able to bring the general public through the doors. I guess it does require a lot less feeding and costs but I always found the WWT sites as a young child a fantastic place as you travelled to different parts of the world in waterfowl terms and saw the sheer variety and beauty of the family Anatidae.
Last time I went (four years ago) there were around a dozen Freckled ducks in one of the individual pens that used to house the Sheldgeese. Since then, those pens seem to have disappeared entirely now. I'm not sure if there is still an Australian section or not as I missed it anyway.
I agree 100% with your other comments. It appears the waterfowl collection has been downsized further even since my last visit I think, and pushed further into the background by the other more modern 'Wetland' and family-orientated exhibits. Of course I understand the need to modernise, and make it attractive and interesting for families/non- waterfowl enthusiasts, but along the way its become far less a place for waterfowl enthusiasts than it used to be. If you look on the maps they produce, only the newer Wetland and 'family/adventure' zones/exhibits are given prominence now. Its as if they don't really want the waterfowl anymore but are stuck with the original layout of ponds and enclosures while the collection now feels very 'thin' by comparison to what it used to be.
Last edited:
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Initially for my independent project for college I was going to base it on the waterfowl species that the WWT keep at their collections and what other species are kept in private hands in the UK with a discussion on the conservation that WWT instrumental in regards to the Nene. After visiting Slimbridge and leaving disappointed as they were centre with the largest no. species (I thought) I decided that I would scratch this as my project as they were also very slow to respond to email queries so it just was not providing enough information nor data needed for my project.
I decided to do my project on captive marine fish instead.
I decided to do my project on captive marine fish instead.
Torgos
Well-Known Member
In response to your comment "many of the exhibits were in a state of untidy, overgrown wildflowers" - that was exactly what wowed me when I was there is early September 2022! The naturalness instead of mown grass and willows, the wild birds inc warbler species, reed buntings etc that I haven't seen for decades (I live in US now). I love that they focus on wetlands and not on a zoo collection. The message to save wetlands is really strong and in the long term probably more useful to the world than a duck zoo. Sad for Zoochatters of course but I started my career at Slimbridge and adore it. But time passes and life goes on and to me and many others it's still a wonderful place!
It is still a great place for me too but IMO just not as good as it used to be. As I said, I understand the need to modernise, focusing on the broader problems Wetlands face and making it all more interesting for general visitors. I do really like the new aviaries too, where the birds are free-flight. My only reservation is how these changes have occurred at the expense of the diversity of the Waterfowl collection, with many species now evidently lost for good.
Last edited:
The end of an era, as "Mr James" - the last James Flamingo in the UK - has now passed away:
In Loving Memory of Mr. James
Only a single ageing group at Zoo Berlin remains in Europe.
In Loving Memory of Mr. James
Only a single ageing group at Zoo Berlin remains in Europe.
I've seen him on previous visits. By chance I was there just a couple of weeks ago. We spent quite some time looking for him in the flock, having already enquired if he was still there, but were unable to find him as many of them were asleep. But we must have seen him again...
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Had a very enjoyable day at Slimbridge today.
I’d definitely agree the number of exotic species continues to go down (though some of the species listed as missing earlier in this thread were there and signed) with the ‘themed’ area really now only the preserve of the Nenes. I had intended to go into the Arctic region exhibit as some nice geese there, but one path was fenced off and the other was defended on a couple of attempts by a very ‘up for your ankles’ (wild) Greylag goose, last seen chasing a woman who had tried to shoo it away! Discretion vs valor with geese as they say.
The free flight aviary had a lot of birds - it’s interesting to have captive birds who are also present in the wild in wetlands a few minutes away and not sure if that’s about breed and release, or more education and proximity. I can’t complain about black tailed godwits though.
I visit a few times a year but there seems to be a growth in new play areas.
On a cold windy and off and on rainy day it’s a great day out though I did really go for the wild birds in particular the common cranes - had some great views of one of the pairs. Always thrilled by a crane. And to get some bird in flight shots. The open top of the tower hide is a lovely place on a cold day when hardly anyone else is there and there are double rainbows above the estuary.
The kingfishers are nesting, so that hide was pretty full and the viewing windows were bolted shut which meant it was hard to see through the glass, but everywhere else was quiet, as you’d expect for a weekday at this time of year.
Pod Point EV chargers proved very handy.
I’d definitely agree the number of exotic species continues to go down (though some of the species listed as missing earlier in this thread were there and signed) with the ‘themed’ area really now only the preserve of the Nenes. I had intended to go into the Arctic region exhibit as some nice geese there, but one path was fenced off and the other was defended on a couple of attempts by a very ‘up for your ankles’ (wild) Greylag goose, last seen chasing a woman who had tried to shoo it away! Discretion vs valor with geese as they say.
The free flight aviary had a lot of birds - it’s interesting to have captive birds who are also present in the wild in wetlands a few minutes away and not sure if that’s about breed and release, or more education and proximity. I can’t complain about black tailed godwits though.
I visit a few times a year but there seems to be a growth in new play areas.
On a cold windy and off and on rainy day it’s a great day out though I did really go for the wild birds in particular the common cranes - had some great views of one of the pairs. Always thrilled by a crane. And to get some bird in flight shots. The open top of the tower hide is a lovely place on a cold day when hardly anyone else is there and there are double rainbows above the estuary.
The kingfishers are nesting, so that hide was pretty full and the viewing windows were bolted shut which meant it was hard to see through the glass, but everywhere else was quiet, as you’d expect for a weekday at this time of year.
Pod Point EV chargers proved very handy.
The 'Arctic explorer' themed area contains a small flock of around 6 Emperor Geese & some 'Grey' geese -possibly Greenland Whitefronts(?). I don't remember anything else in there.
I saw Red-breasted and Brent Geese together in another enclosure and also the Hawaian 'themed' enclosure. Sadly I missed the 'Geese of the World' display which used to be tucked away rather in an out of the way paddock- not sure if its even still there though signs still mention it, but it used to contain the rather sad remnant of their once extensive goose collection- Emperors, Snows, Bar heads, Red Breasted etc but now the Emperors have moved into the Arctic display (and the Red breasted into another enclosure,) I'm not sure whether they still have the other species like Snow and Bar -headed on show.
Last edited:
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Yes there were white fronts in the Arctic section, I really wanted a shot of them but couldn't sneak around the wild guard. I thought there were bar headed geese on the far side of geese of the world (I see bar headed who had lovely goslings at CWP last year and always visit them there so wasn't specifically looking).
I'm just interested to know exactly which species Slimbridge no longer hold. I did ask a staff member but it was a rather complicated question, she did say something like 'the only (captive) geese they had now were in the Arctic section' but I don't think that's quite the case. I should have checked more closely but it was a bit of a quick look around I'm afraid and so I missed some sections.
Last edited:
Lafone
Well-Known Member
There was definitely at least one goose in the closed off aviaries at the back of the wetlands free flight aviary as well as in the other areas, though I couldn't tell what it was. They don't seem to do a list of birds though I'll snap the signs next time I am there (was going to yesterday but it was raining so hard I kept my gloves on!).
I have received an e-mail from the collection about the lack of species currently.
They will have all the species back and some new ones in the next few years, as the site is under complete refurbishment.
I have also agreed not to release info sent on a second e-mail about the refurb but I will say it will be brilliant once finished for Birdwatchers and captive visitors.
They will have all the species back and some new ones in the next few years, as the site is under complete refurbishment.
I have also agreed not to release info sent on a second e-mail about the refurb but I will say it will be brilliant once finished for Birdwatchers and captive visitors.