THE WINGED CRUSADER! AKA Brian the Goose

Over the years the keepers have noticed something quite lovely about Brian the goose. Unlike the rest of the top pool residence, it seems he can’t stand by and watch any wrong doings in his part of town.

Anytime the keepers have to catch up a duck from his pool he will always come to the ducks rescue, seeing the keepers off and helping the ducks to escape. And in the spring when the male ducks get a little too flirty with our female ducks he can be seen fending the males off and saving the day, what a true hero!

Brian (above) having a bath with his fellow duck friends.

The Geese & the Swan!

Down at the lower lake this week the keepers noticed something strange!
Over the last few weeks we have been watching a pair of Canada Geese build a nest together and have seen them lay several eggs.

This week however we were very surprised to find that it wasn’t either of the geese sat on the eggs incubating them- but a swan!

We are not sure what started this strange partnership and whether we might see a mix of goslings or cygnets but we will keep you updated as the story develops!
We have also spotted another pair of Canada Geese who have successfully hatched their brood and have some very cute goslings!

Sophie Hales Penguin Encounter!

Yesterday we were visited by Sophie Hale who took part in a very special Penguin Encounter!
Sophie is from the Island and visits the park regularly. She also won our ‘Name the Penguin’ competition last month! Her suggestion of ‘Kiki’ was chosen for one of our female penguins- seen in the photo below on the right with red & yellow coloured tags.

Sophie first fed the Humboldt Penguins lots of their favourite fish and then was able to get up close to a few of our friendly characters!

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After that we took Sophie to the Incubation House where she met our gorgeous baby penguin chicks and watched them have their afternoon feed!

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Shoresearch 2013

Each summer the team at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust runs a series of surveys called Shoresearch, which aim to record and study the marine life of our local shores.
Shoresearch not only helps to increase our overall knowledge and understanding of our local marine environment but also helps to identify and monitor changes that may affect the marine life e.g. climate change, invasive species and local developments.



The surveys are very straightforward and are always carried out at low tide.Volunteers are needed in order to ensure that valuable information is collected and action is taken to help preserve our biodiversity-rich shorelines.

Some of the keepers here at the park are involved in Shoresearch and if you would like to volunteer and learn more about your local shore and the marine life it contains then please do get in touch!
For more information including dates please visit the Shoresearch website:

http://www.hiwwt.org.uk/pages/shoresearch-training-and-survey-information.html

The surveys are free to take part but booking is essential so please fill out a booking form and email it to the Marine Officer Amy Dale on Amyd@hwt.org.uk

Our first ‘Wildest Place for a Special Date’ of the season!

We had the pleasure of celebrating Vivien and John’s special Golden Wedding Anniversary here at the Park on this glorious morning as they enjoyed our unique ‘Wildest Place for a Special Date' package, our first of the season!

Vivien and John, local to the Island, wanted to make their special day one to remember and having never visited the Park before in all the years they have lived here thought this would be a perfect way to celebrate 50 years of marriage!

I gave Vivien and John a guided tour of the Park, allowing them to really get close to the animals and to meet some of our special residents……

…….before finishing off with a well deserved champagne lunch for two!

Judging by the smiles on their faces throughout the morning I can safely say that John and Vivien had a wonderful time and have said they may even come again next year…

It was an absolute pleasure to share this time with them both and we look forward to hopefully seeing them again soon!

http://www.seaviewwildlife.com/wildlife_encounters/Wildest_date/

Work Experience Student Sophie

Sophie Bradfield spent two busy weeks with us on a work experience placement and it was her last day with us yesterday. Sophie was a pleasure to have around and provided valuable help to our keepers here. She got stuck into every aspect of the job and got a real taster for what life is like as an Animal Keeper. We wish you all the best for the future Sophie, come and see us all again soon!

Junior Wildlife Experience- Matthew Woolford

Islander Matthew Woolford enjoyed a unique Junior Wildlife Experience on a glorious sunny afternoon!

Here are just a few special moments that Keeper Becky caught on camera of Matthew’s close encounters…

….all the while carrying a Joey in his rucsack!