A little later than intended, a quick report on my visit in September. Having travelled from Paignton to Par by train, by good fortune I walked in the right direction and reached Wingz only half an hour later - if I'd known it was that easy I'd have gone last year and would not have missed the Crimson-rumped Toucanet. I was outside the entrance (at the top of the garden; it is set on a hillside) at 9.45 and the place opened at 9.50, 10 minutes early - you're talking my language Reggie! What an excellent place and what pleasant people. I left with reluctance at 5 o'clock, well it was closing time.
This is just my kind of place - quite homespun (I mean that as a compliment, it's got character) and full of birds. I'll excuse the presence of the Meerkats (most visitors seemed keen on seeing them, marching down the direct route with their cups of Mealworms) as there was so much else to admire. Of the few mammal species I particularly liked the Japanese White-bellied Squirrels, but I spent most of the day revelling in the birds, all housed in what I'd call proper aviaries where they could be seen but were allowed seclusion if they so wished. Wingz takes in rescue Parrots, so there were a few not in the best of feather but with notices explaining the situation. Many of these birds looked much better than the description of their condition on arrival, so an excellent job was clearly being done - a delightful Goffin's Cockatoo being a fine example. I could list all of the Parrots as highlights, which they are to me (an African Grey's whistles - bliss), but I'll just mention the Eleanora Cockatoos, the Yellow-crowned and DYH Amazons, and the Green-winged Macaws (but then that ignores the Sun Conure, the Greys, the Red Lory.....). Other highlights were the Red and Yellow Barbets, the Tropical Mocking Birds, the African Grey Hornbills, the Fairy Bluebird and the Long-tailed Glossy Starlings. Really I could list everything - I loved the place and cannot wait to return. Anyone visiting Cornwall or Devon should beat a path to this collection, and if you live near it you are very lucky - I'd happily take up residence there!
There is also a nice little education room that doubles as an indoor picnic area. This is decorated with copies of press articles about the planned and subsequent public opening of the collection - all very interesting and I tore myself away from the birds for a few minutes to read them.
Overall I had an excellent day. Visiting Wingz meant I did not get to Newquay Zoo during my holiday, but much as I like it there I would not have had such a wonderful day as I did at Wingz. I hope this place really establishes itself and thrives.
This is just my kind of place - quite homespun (I mean that as a compliment, it's got character) and full of birds. I'll excuse the presence of the Meerkats (most visitors seemed keen on seeing them, marching down the direct route with their cups of Mealworms) as there was so much else to admire. Of the few mammal species I particularly liked the Japanese White-bellied Squirrels, but I spent most of the day revelling in the birds, all housed in what I'd call proper aviaries where they could be seen but were allowed seclusion if they so wished. Wingz takes in rescue Parrots, so there were a few not in the best of feather but with notices explaining the situation. Many of these birds looked much better than the description of their condition on arrival, so an excellent job was clearly being done - a delightful Goffin's Cockatoo being a fine example. I could list all of the Parrots as highlights, which they are to me (an African Grey's whistles - bliss), but I'll just mention the Eleanora Cockatoos, the Yellow-crowned and DYH Amazons, and the Green-winged Macaws (but then that ignores the Sun Conure, the Greys, the Red Lory.....). Other highlights were the Red and Yellow Barbets, the Tropical Mocking Birds, the African Grey Hornbills, the Fairy Bluebird and the Long-tailed Glossy Starlings. Really I could list everything - I loved the place and cannot wait to return. Anyone visiting Cornwall or Devon should beat a path to this collection, and if you live near it you are very lucky - I'd happily take up residence there!
There is also a nice little education room that doubles as an indoor picnic area. This is decorated with copies of press articles about the planned and subsequent public opening of the collection - all very interesting and I tore myself away from the birds for a few minutes to read them.
Overall I had an excellent day. Visiting Wingz meant I did not get to Newquay Zoo during my holiday, but much as I like it there I would not have had such a wonderful day as I did at Wingz. I hope this place really establishes itself and thrives.