Where are you going in 2012

IanRRobinson said:
The dearth of high quality bird collections (there is nothing in the UK on the scale of Avifauna, never mind Walsrode) and the lack of a truly first rate aquarium spring to mind immediately. And whilst opinions differ on the revamp of the Clore at London, forty years ago it was one of the planet's greatest collections of small mammals, which is not the case any longer.
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And herpetariums - there are close to none in the UK, with the closest thing being Crocodiles of the World, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of zoos in Germany, Denmark etc that have full-scale zoos dedicated to reptiles/amphibians/inverts and fish.
 
I am sitting here with a copy of the guidebook to Dallas World Aquarium, which MikeG was kind enough to bring back last year. If only someone would buy up a derelict block in Birmingham (or better still, Northampton ;)) to do something similar!
 
Javan Rhino said:
And herpetariums - there are close to none in the UK, with the closest thing being Crocodiles of the World, but I'm pretty sure I've heard of zoos in Germany, Denmark etc that have full-scale zoos dedicated to reptiles/amphibians/inverts and fish.
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We did have Bug World in Liverpool, but that only lasted 18 months before closure, it was two hours at the very tops for a visit and was pricy for what it was, although I thought it was quite good. The general public didn't go in enough numbers to keep it going, probably based on a general lack of interest, phobias of bugs and the entrance fee. I think this lack of interest from ‘Joe Public' is the reason no one (apart from The Croc Man) has recently had a go at opening and investing in a venture that doesn’t hold mammals. (Sealife/World type places apart of course).

For 2012 visits.

nailed on trips to various places this year....

Edinburgh
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Woburn
Bristol
Crocs of the World (be on me tod for that one!)
Blackpool
Amazing Animals (Heythrop) - still waiting on open day date(s)
London

Depending on where the Summer holiday will be...

either a) Jersey, CERZA & Lille, or b) Dublin. (Wine v Guinness you could say :D)
 
Pootle said:
We did have Bug World in Liverpool, but that only lasted 18 months before closure, it was two hours at the very tops for a visit and was pricy for what it was, although I thought it was quite good. The general public didn't go in enough numbers to keep it going, probably based on a general lack of interest, phobias of bugs and the entrance fee. I think this lack of interest from ‘Joe Public' is the reason no one (apart from The Croc Man) has recently had a go at opening and investing in a venture that doesn’t hold mammals. (Sealife/World type places apart of course).
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Too true - it is a shame because apparantly they work well on the mainland, and it is certainly an ambition of mine to set one up if I had the money/space to do it.

I always find it annoying that these places don't get recognition, because there's been a huge amount of children/younger people nowadays that are really interested in reptiles through being exposed to them more [people going into schools for handling etc] - it's just that a lot of the parents don't encourage the interest.

I wish I'd managed a visit to BugWorld as it sounded really interesting - the reason I left it off however was because typing the original piece I particularly had reptiles and amphibians in mind, inverts and fish were something I later thought were also a part of a good herpetarium.
 
sooty mangabey said:
Sorry - re-reading what I wrote here, it looks as if I'm having a go at Andrew - which wasn't my intention at all. I was, instead, making the point that despite our many, many zoos in the UK, they're not all Walsrodes and Zurichs.
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No offence taken! I prefer small zoos these days and I think I'll like the Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre - it sounds my kind of place and its website particularly mentions the Parrot Show. I have picked up its leaflet for many years without going, but an article in the Parrot Society magazine mentioned the Green-wings and that clinched it. If a place has a few Parrot aviaries and I can get some good photos I am happy (Tropiquaria springs to mind) and can spend all day there. I have never dipped my toe into foreign climes, but I have always fancied going to Walsrode. Once I sent for a brochure about a trip there, but the coach travel put me off.
 
So far this year I've visited London Zoo, London Sea Life, London's Tropical forest and Weymouth Sea Life Park.

As usual, there's some structure, but my year is mostly unpredictable. I'm booking a trip to Barcelona in April, which might include other Iberian excursions, and I'm also planning another trip to Switzerland and potentially a German trip too. I'm also hoping for a couple of spontaneous trips abroad during the year.

Within the UK, I'm aiming to see a lot more of the south coast this year, including a bunch of zoos in Kent which I've yet to visit. I've also bought a sea life annual pass for the year, which should make me travel a bit. I'm also hoping to visit a friend in Hull in a few months - so I'll pass by 'The Deep' too. Exams, studies and finances will probably dictate the rest. :)
 
If anyone is planning a visit to the West Country at the end of April, don't forget to pop to Shaldon Zoo on Sunday 29th April, when my book on the life of Ken Smith will be officially launched.
 
My second Jaunt out for 2012 is this weekend when I will be enjoying a weekend of W's :)

let me explain:

Friday I have a Wildarena photoexperience at the Anglian Wolf Society
Saturday is a trip to Woburn Safari Park
Sunday is a trip to Whipsnade Park

see Karoocheetah does W's - I did not fib :D
 
Just been sorting out my Easter holiday jaunts:

Knowsley (first ever visit)
Chester (nice meet up with friends)
Twycross (regular visit)
Paradise Wildlife Park (first visit)
Woburn Safari park (third visit ever)

Quite surprised myself when I realised I was visiting so many in 2 weeks.

So far this year I have visited:

Yorkshire wildlife park
Twycross
West midlands safari park
Wales ape and monkey sanctuary
Colchester zoo
Banham zoo

A few must do's for the year:

Monkeyworld (a regular-ish).
Blackbrook
Howletts
Port Lympne
Might also do Dudley again
Also would like to visit BNC later in the year
 
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