Red Squirrel Kittens

The first of the red squirrel kittens born in our walk through enclosure have stated to explore! They are around 7 weeks old, and beginning to stretch their legs and look outside of their drey. Over the next few days and weeks they will continue to look around and play, and even venture further from their home to see what the rest of the Copse has to offer. Growing up with the other squirrels, they will no doubt become as friendly as the others, and given time may well turn up for the talk every morning at 10.30am

As well as our walk through enclosure, we have several breeding pens off display where we house squirrels for our breeding and release programs. Along with a few litters at other sites, we have a few here too which well be part of a release later this year on to another island. More news on this when the time comes.

Long-Eared Owl Chicks

Do you remember Leo and Percy? Well there mum and dad have done it again... another clutch of eggs, and this time three successful chicks were hatched! Meet (from right to left above) Megatron, Starscream and Ironhide.

Last year our long eared owls had one chick in the Spring, and a second later in the Summer. So who knows, after these three above they may well have another clutch later this year too.

These long eared owl chicks are now about 3 weeks old for the oldest, with the other two a few days younger. Within a clutch you usually get the eggs hatching a day or two apart from each other, and you can see the size difference of these in the photo at the top.

We have taken these chicks to be creche reared together before finding their new homes. They are being looked after by the keepers, who are getting them used to people, various noises and the ways of life. They will then be friendly owls ready anything their new homes throw at them.

First 2017 Releases

This past week was the annual Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group (CDCBG) meeting. As well as discussing all things domousey, it was a chance for the group to collect up all the dormice bred last year for the annual release. 

We had a very successful year last year, and all our youngsters came with us to the meeting to be handed over to the quarantine team. Both London Zoo and Paignton Zoo take the dormice to be checked over before release later in the year, co-ordinated by the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). 

As well as our dormice preparing for their release, we had our first release of harvest mice on home soil! With the warmer Spring in full flow, we were finally able to release the many we had been keeping safe over the Winter months.

We breed several harvest mice each year, and have slowly been releasing them around our reserve. Last year we found several signs, including nests, to show they are settling in well and really making a home for themselves out there.

More animal news over the coming weeks, including some new arrivals!