ZSL London Zoo Snowdon aviary question
- Thread starter Gilgamesh
- Start date
Haven't logged in for a while but I wanted to thank whoever uploaded the scans of the Snowdon Aviary booklet. I printed them out and will be storing them in my zoo scrapbook. Fascinating info. I'm also curious how the kestrels got along with the smaller birds, especially the pigeons and starlings.
In 1998, there were in fact Bateleurs in the Snowdon Aviary along with waders, gulls, and White-cheeked Turacos. I believe they were pinioned. In 2006, I didn't visit the aviary during my London Zoo visit, but I think there might have been Red Kites in there.
Interesting that they went from 45 species at opening to 9 species in 1998!
Yes I was suprised to see them in there, they were at a reasonably low level , one lower down and one slightly higher up, both sat in the large willow tree on the left as you enter.
The Snowdon Avairy has always had a problem with wild sparrows, starlings and rodent- pests, on my last visit it was absolutely rife with rats!
But I have always had a soft- spot for the Snowden. It is true to say that the numbers of species has dwindled down quite a bit in recent years, but they did struggle to keep control of numbers especially of Speckled Pigeons and Grey-Headed Gulls. The Sacred Ibis have always done pretty well in there too. Managing the birds in such a vast space has always been problematical though.
That is interesting, perhaps I should add it to my 'Rats in Zoos' thread.
My guess would be the Rats are there because a. there is a good food supply and b. its close to the Canal- they like areas close to slow-moving or stagnant water. I have seen them by the Bridge over the Ornamental Waterfowl section of the Regents Park Lake too.
That is interesting, perhaps I should add it to my 'Rats in Zoos' thread.
Yes, absolutely ideal for them. Marwell is also particularly affected but it is quite seasonal, Mice as well to a lesser extent. I think most UK zoos are affected to some degree.
Colchester had the most obvious ones I've seen- they were nipping in and out of Bird Aviaries etc. Food supply and the rather stagnant Lake and undergrowth pretty much in the centre of the Zoo probably make for a 'rat haven.'