Merry Christmas!

The British Wildlife Centre would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Of course its business as usual for us, we still have to feed and look after our many charges but I personally couldn't think of anything I would rather do on Christmas day... it is after all about spending time with our loved ones.



May I just remind you all that we are going to be open to the general public from the day after boxing day for one week. Sunday the 27th of December - Sunday the 3rd of January.

Good will to you all and best wishes for the coming New Year!

Snow at the BWC!

Heavy snow last night led to a very fun day at the Centre today! It was the first time many of our animals had seen the snow and they all took it in their stride. No surprises that Hedwig, the Snowy Owl, didnt seem phased at all and flew more beautifully than ever this afternoon. but the most fun to watch was our new arrival Flo, the fox. She was more crazy than ever, dashing around in the snow chasing snowballs and having great fun!

With more snow forecast next week and continuing cold weather, you never know... we could still have some of the white stuff left over come our Christmas open period.

Below are a few photos...

"Frodo" taking it in his stride

"Hedwig" don't think he even noticed...

"Minnie" as ever, the Otters are a joy to watch on the ice

"Eric" snow resting on his antlers

"Bonnie" you didn't think I would post photos of animals and not include a Pine Marten did you?

Winter members day: Sunday 17th January 2010

Just a quick reminder of our Winter members day which we are holding on Sunday the 17th of January 2010. The schedule is still not finalised but we are hoping it will be another good day and already we have had a lot of interest.

Full schedule with timings will be released nearer the time but look out for...

Our new Red Squirrel walkthrough enclosure!!!

Harvest Mice keeper talk.

Polecat keeper talk.

Flying owls.

and of course feed times with all your favourite BWC residents, old and new.

Hope to see you there!

Red Squirrels

I have a passion for all British Wildlife as you can probably imagine, but for those of you who know me well you must know I have a certian soft spot for two animals in particular... One being the Red Squirrel!

We finally finished work on our new venture, our Red Squirrel walkthrough enclosure. What we beleive to be the only one of its kind currently in the UK. Needless to say we were all very excited about releasing our Squirrels out into their new home and it is something I have personally been looking forward to for over 5 years, ever since I first started here and David (owner) mentioned his idea to me!

We dressed the new enclosure up with special feeders as above and below to allow the Squirrels to get to their food but to keep the birds away from it. In time we may very well put up bird feeders for both the Squirrels and birds, but for now we are concentrating on making the Squirrels happy in their new enclosure.

As well as these feeders we have placed natural poles around linking trees to each other as well as some natural looking rope which doesn't detract too much away from the "wild" look but gives the Squirrels something else to play with while making their way around.

We cut back the trees from the edge of the pen to create a safe distance which they will hopefully not be able to jump out from, and then constructed double doors either end of the boardwalk as well as electrifying the boundry to not only help keep the Reds in but also stop any curious Grey Squirrels from entering.

A couple of weeks ago now I had a large sort out of our Squirrels and re set up the breeding pairs for next year. At the same time I moved 5 males into each of the smaller holding pens in the Copse. They stayed in those pens for a week and a half to establish them as new homes and then last Thursday we opened the doors of the enclosure leading out into the Copse and have since left them open.

Initially the Squirrels were a bit unsure and seemed to prefer the safety of their pens, but one brave male came out fairly soon and started to explore. Over the first day I beleive curiosity probably took over all of them as we started to see more and more Squirrels in the trees.

Nearing nightfall and we watched as the Squirrels slowly made their way back to their pens and the safety of their nest boxes. It could not of gone any better. In time we hope they will drey in the trees around the edge of the copse and not go back to their boxes, in fact I have noticed 2 Squirrels starting to build already.

The feeders have mainly been placed in the centre of the Copse so that they have to venture in and not out towards the boundry to find their food.

The plan is to watch these 10 Squirrels over the coming weeks and when the public are around after Christmas, and then shortly into the New Year I will release another 10 young males into the enclosure holding a further 3 back to be released on the day we have our official opening in the Spring of next year.

All going well and we hope it will provide not only a happy home for our Squirrels but also a fantastic place for you to relax in while watching our native squirrels and a great oppourtunity for all you budding photographers out there!

Foxes

Wednesday the 2nd of December this year we introduced our 2 young fox cubs, Luna and Flo, to Frodo inside the Barn section of the enclosure. The introduction went well and we seperated them again for the night. After another successful introduction the following day we decided to leave them in overnight and see how they settled down. Again the following morning they seemed fine, all curled up together... it seemed Luna was becoming rather dominant and even keeping Frodo at bay for first pickings of the food.

We finally introduced them together for the last time last Sunday in front of the Countryfile cameras and then left them together overnight before letting them out into the outside enclosure the following morning. Luna has recieved a small bite wound to her neck which is probably from Frodo re-establishing himself as the Master Dog, but it is superficial and they all seem very happy together.

Luna relaxing under the Gorse in her new home

Flo exploring the outside part of her enclosure

Flo in particular is a real handful and doesnt seem to stop moving! I think she will be a real challenge to you photographers out there to get a nice photo of her.

Wildcats

Kendra keeping an eye out over her new territory

About a week ago now we decided to slightly alter our Wildcat enclosures to allow for easier management. From a public point of view the changes may not be that obvious, but for us it has been a huge improvement!
We slightly raised the back part of all three enclosures to make it easier to access the very back of the enclosure where the wire netting meets the sloped ground. This allows us to get in there and keep it free overgrown plants making it easier to find the cats if they are not out and see any potential holes.
We then also changed some of the higher netting to a thin gauge wire as we have had problems this past Summer with wild Foxes entering the pens by chewing through the netting and then not being able to get out again!

This past Wednesday, 9th December, we introduced our two new kittens the main pens. Kendra was paired up with Lex in the centre enclosure while Iona was placed in the end pen with Angus (after removing Heather.)

The kittens both seem to have settled down very well and are enjoying their new found space. In fact the two boys barely have seemed to of noticed them, but I am hoping that all changes soon when they come into the breeding season!

Animals on the move

It's been a busy week so far introducing and moving animals around. Both Flo and Luna have been successfully introduced to Frodo and Pickles and now all four Foxes have access to both the inside and outside areas of the main enclosure.

We have introduced the two female Wildcat kittens out on display while allowing Heather to retire off site and...

This morning the doors where officially opened on the Copse Squirrel pens allowing them access to the walkthrough enclosure. The Squirrels have been seen out in the Copse already and I have managed to get a few photos to show off what oppourtunities await you budding photographers!

Look for individual update posts on all these moves, with photos, over the next couple of days!

Countryfile

To round of yet another busy week here at the Centre, yesterday, Sunday the 6th of December, Countryfile visited the Wildlife Centre to spend a day here filming for one of their highlight shows next year.

The Centre will be their base from where they link out to segments they have filmed elsewhere in previous episodes. Among the filmed stars are our new Foxes Luna and Flo, our Otters Oscar and Minnie, Wildcats, Red Squirrels, Ethel the Eagle Owl and many more (including some of the keepers!)

Look out for this episode due to be screened on January the 3rd 2010.