Hamerton Zoo Park Visiting Hamerton
- Thread starter amaroc
- Start date
I'm lucky to live close and everytime I go I'm never disappointed, what I like is that it isn't overly 'kiddified' if you know what I mean!
I'm taking my hubby tomorrow , sorry to rub it in.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
Whilst Hamerton is great with the species they have, I would always advise people, it's quite small and a lot of the "really want to see animals" aren't really active until after 1.30-2pm, so if visiting this time of year, you do get a chance to see them later in the afternoon, but if you get there at 10am, you'll probably spend a lot of time looking at empty exhibits and animals sleeping indoors, and there isn't a great deal to do to drag you to 1.30/2pm when the cool stuff starts to surface. So my advice would be aim to get there at say 12 ish. That way you still have 4 hours viewing and you will be getting there when the cool animals you want to see will start to be more active.
A visit to Hamerton is ALWAYS worth it. It is true that some of the animals are most likely to be active later in the day but we always turn up at 10am and find plenty to do / see in the morning. The wombats were very active in the morning the last time we visited actually.
BeakerUK
Well-Known Member
I have previously always got there for opening time, but the last time I visited in the summer it was much later in the day (on the way home from Norfolk / Suffolk, and having already been to Banham Zoo that day) I could have spent the entire afternoon watching the wombats, one of which was being very active. (Still didn't see the black backed jackals, though!)
This is the best time of year for the jackals actually, due to the significantly lower level of vegetation cover in their exhibit 
and in my experience they are more visible in the mornings.
and in my experience they are more visible in the mornings.
I went this afternoon and saw two jackals for the first time
. Here is a tip if you walk down the tiger tunnel from the Maned Wolf end and look through the first window on the right, across the white tiger enclosure, that is where I spotted them - under/near the tree in their paddock. Admittedly they are through two lots of wire and a window too but if you have a reasonable lens or some binos you might spot them (I took some photos so will take a look when I download them as whether they are worth sharing!). I saw them at about 14:15.I also saw a Southern Aardwolf. Not see the Southern Aardwolf before and I go really regularly
. All three Tiger Quolls were out - they each have their own space and for the first time I saw one that is only visible through the two other enclosures that looks much more red and smaller (younger perhaps?). The Civets in two different enclosures were also out - one next the the Jagurundi was most active the other side of the Sloth house was just peeping out waiting for dusk probably. The Grison were out and about too at this time (15:30). Caracals out and pacing too.Hope that helps - sorry it's a bit of a rambling message.
Zooreviewsuk
Well-Known Member
The two Quolls in the back sections are the females which are effectively offshow.
Where you describe the Jackals viewpoint is sadly pretty much the only place to see them. Even then it’s not easy and anything under a 400mm lens doesn’t really get a great image of them.
Where you describe the Jackals viewpoint is sadly pretty much the only place to see them. Even then it’s not easy and anything under a 400mm lens doesn’t really get a great image of them.
BeakerUK
Well-Known Member
I really ought to do some planning for work tomorrow, but I think I will head over on Thursday. I have luckily seen the Southern aardwolf a few times before (including on my first ever visit, when it was very active - I didn't realise how lucky I was then!) but I have only seen the jaguarundi once. I will be going on my own for this visit, so I can just hang out at enclosures for as long as I like, and return to them as many times as I like!
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I've managed pretty good shots with a bog-standard bridge camera - you really don't need anything extravagant if they are out and about.
I use my bridge and find it fine. I have images coming later from today's finds.
Hamerton is always best visited alone ( or with other zoonerds ) !
I agree - I took my husband today and he got a bit bored waiting for me - I found him later sitting by the cafe looking at........ his phone!
bless - next time I'll be on my own.
BeakerUK
Well-Known Member
Hamerton is one zoo I haven't made it to alone yet (mostly because previous attempts have ended up with my car breaking down en route - I have a different car now!) The last visit followed my short break to Norfolk / Suffolk where I had visited 4 zoos in 3 days and the person I was with (although they'd only accompanied me to 2 of the zoos) spent most of their time sat at the cafe. I'd only persuaded them to go by paying for their entrance, as well - it just seemed ridiculous to be essentially driving straight past on the way home, and not stopping for a visit.
I have just added a few photos from yesterday's visit to the Hamerton Media feed. Here is one of the Sumatran White-bearded, you need a fast shutter speed as he's pretty nifty. How I wish there was an easy way to edit out the wire mesh - any tips anyone?!
