The British Wildlife Centre, Newchapel, Surrey
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:05 PeterT |
 The British Wildlife Centre was started in 1997 by David Mills. Before then, David had a successful herd of pedigree Jersey dairy cows on the site of what is now the wildlife centre. In 1994 David ceased farming in order to realise a second dream of setting up a centre to educate people about our native wildlife; at first only open to pre-booked groups, but, since 2000, open to the public. The centre has been growing slowly but steadily since, giving visitors more to see and learn about Britain’s fascinating wildlife. The objective remains the same - to help people learn more about our native wildlife in the hope that they too will want to protect it for future generations to enjoy. The British Wildlife Centre is a not-for-profit organisation; all revenue is ploughed back into improving the accommodation for animals, on breeding programmes or on habitat conservation. The above notes were taken from the British Wildlife Centre's website: http://www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk/homeframeset.htm A visit to the centre would be a wonderful experience for the family, with much to see. Opening dates, and times, are available via the above link. Below, are photographs taken, during 2010, on numerous visits. The images have been grouped, by animal, to facilitate editing. |
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| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:17 PeterT |
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) "Since the introduction of the grey squirrel into Britain (c1876), the native red squirrel has become increasingly rare. Driven out of the whole of their southern range, (except Brownsea Island off the Dorset coast and the Isle of Wight, where there are no greys) by the competition for food and the transmission of the deadly parapox virus. Although red squirrels were once found throughout Britain, in both broad-leafed and coniferous woodland, it is the mature pine-dominated woodland of the far north of England and Scotland which is the preferred habitat, as pine cones retain their seeds longer than broad-leafed species. Red squirrels are arboreal and diurnal, with major peaks of activity 2 - 3 hours after dawn and 2 - 3 hours before dusk in summer and a single morning peak in winter. They do not hibernate, suffer much from wet and cold, are very timid and are unwilling but accomplished swimmers." Although the red squirrel, in the wild, can be a shy and elusive creature, at the wildlife centre, some of the squirrels have become very inquisitive, and friendly.                          |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:05 PeterT |
Fallow deer (Lepus europaeus), muntjac deer ( Muntiacus reevesi), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are all represented at the wildlife centre. Only the red, and roe deer, are native to Britain, the others having been introduced. The fallow and red deer share a large park-like enclosure, whilst some of the muntjac deer share a copse with the red squirrels.         |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:05 PeterT |
Fox (Vulpes vulpes) At the wildlife centre, foxes live in two enclosures. In one enclosure, four cubs were born in the spring of 2010; "Frodo" being the father (dog), and "Flo" the mother (vixen). Another litter of cubs was born in April 2011.                  |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:11 PeterT |
Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris) The wildcats are in three adjoining enclosures. Always visible at feeding times, but often hidden amongst the vegetation at other times. The kittens (born earlier in 2010; and due for release, into the wild, in November), were very elusive. Not to be confused with a domestic cat; the wildcat shows its true nature when food arrives!           |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:22 PeterT |
Mustelid (weasel) family This family is represented by the weasel (Mustela nivalis), stoat (Mustela erminea), pine martin (Martes martes), polecat (Mustela putorius), badger (Meles meles), otter (Lutra lutra), and the American Mink (Mustela vison); the last of which was introduced in 1929.                   |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:43 PeterT |
Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) At the wildlife centre, several water voles live in a large tank (in which these photographs were taken), whilst others have been gradually introduced to the wetlands area. The water vole is the U.K's most endangered mammal.      |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:51 PeterT |
Other mammals The wildlife centre also has: Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), Black Rat (Rattus rattus), Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus), Field Vole (Microtus agrestis), Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus), Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), House Mouse (Mus musculus), Mole (Talpa eurpaea), Rabbit (Orytolagus cuniculus), Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and Yellow-Necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis).   |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:58 PeterT |
The adder (Vipera berus), and grass snake (Natrix natrix), can be seen in adjoining tanks. The grass snakes tend to be the more elusive, but both tanks draw the crowds when the snakes are active.    |
| Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:13 PeterT |
The Flying Team Matt Binstead, Head Keeper at the British Wildlife Centre, has been building up his team of birds for the afternoon flying displays. Early afternoon sees "Jack", the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) being put through his paces, above the deer paddock. Late afternoon, it is the turn of the owls, in the dell. All seven species of owl, found in Britain, are now represented at the wildlife centre.             |
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