Weekend Openings

Half term opening is over, but remember... we are now open to the public every weekend from now until the end of October. The keeper talk times will be back to our summer schedule, so take a look on our keeper talk page above for the new line up.

Despite the bitterly cold weather last week, we were very busy, and our animals seemed to enjoy the company of some fresh faces around.

We have a new stoat and weasel on display up opposite our polecats, and they have both been absolute stars showing themselves for most of the day.

As always, our otters have thoroughly enjoyed the colder weather. Elwood in particular has been putting on a good show, and has even started playing with his food...

Both our new wildcats have settled in very well, and on the warmer days at the beginning of the week, they were both seen out and about. Later this week I will be introducing McTavish to Kendra.

For those of you that are local to the Centre, check out our local news papers. Both the East Grinstead Observer and the Surrey Mirror are now publishing a monthly column by yours truly. The idea is to have the regular advertising in our local papers, and keep the local people in touch with what is happening at the Centre.

Of course, for all the real up to date news on the animals... this blog is still the best place to be!

1/2 Term Opening

Just a reminder to everyone that we are open every day this week for the February half term, and then continue to be open for every weekend onwards until the end of October.

The weather has been good the past few days, and we have seen many visitors come to the BWC to see our animals. I always think of this half term as the start of our "open season", and a chance to get back in to the swing of things for the weekends that follow. With this in mind, we have moved a few animals around to get used to the public over this week.

A new weasel and a new stoat are on display up opposite our polecat enclosure, both have been out and about quite a bit exploring their new pens, and the stoat in particular seems already to be a favourite with many a people.

Recently we acquired two new wildcats, and McTavish (above two pics) is now also out on display in the main enclosure next to "Kendra". He is a little shy still, but seem to like lying on the top platform in the centre of the pen. He has however shown a lot of interest in Kendra, who has mirrored this affection through the wire, and so I think we will introduce them together a little earlier than originally planned.

A post with three wildcat pics... I couldn't not have at least one snarling!..

Macavity, above, has settled in extremely well and is out quite often through the day. He is already in with one of our females, Iona, and so fingers are crossed for successful mating and a litter of kittens to follow.

New Keeper: Lucy

Completing our trio of new arrivals in the past week, welcome to "Lucy" our summer keeper for this year.

Every year, as the season gets busier with school group bookings, and the extra days open to the public, we take on a seasonal keeper to help out with the work until the end of the summer holiday. Last year Lucy was here on work experience, and particularly stood out... and dare I say, fitted in to our slightly crazy family and so she was an obvious choice to help out this year.

Yes, that is a normal sized squirrel...

Lucy will be here for three days a week until she finishes her college course, and then for a full five days a week over the summer period up to the end of October. Please say hello to her next time you are here and make her feel welcome.

Head over to the Keeper Page to learn more about Lucy.