Early Easter Egg Surprise For Birdland Keepers

Despite the lack of visitors, keepers at Birdland Park & Gardens are being kept busy with the arrival of a clutch of rare eggs.

The Bourton-on-the-Water wildlife attraction’s rarest residents the Edwards’s pheasant, which is critically endangered, has laid eggs.

Staff are hoping the eggs are viable and are cautiously optimistic about their prospects.

“Regardless of all the current disruption and concern our birds are still doing what comes naturally and spring marks the start of egg-laying season,” said Birdland’s Head Keeper, Alistair Keen.

“The pheasants are doing well and seem to be attentively looking after the eggs so we’re keeping our fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we start seeing the chicks hatch out,” he added.

The park’s colony of Humboldt penguins has also laid its first two eggs and a pair of black swans are now also sitting on a clutch of eggs.

Although closed to the public, Birdland is hosting a series of live video feeding and Q&A sessions via its Facebook page.

“We still want to be able to share all the amazing stuff that’s happening in the park with as many people as we can,” said Alistair.

“The video feeds will literally provide everyone with a bird’s eye view of all the very latest developments and, hopefully, we’ll be able to provide live updates on any new arrivals,” he added.

Visitors can find out what’s on and the latest news via the Birdland website.

Located in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds, Birdland is home to more than 500 birds, ranging from England’s only breeding colony of king penguins and awesome birds of prey to parrots, cassowaries and cranes in a mix of free-flying and aviary displays.