Latest Shoresearch Survey at Thorness Bay

This week the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust visited Thorness Bay here on the island to conduct the latest Shoresearch survey.


With the help of one of the Keepers from the park and lots of volunteers, they were able to identify many different species of marine life- including this impressive Edible Crab:



Other species found included:
Velvet Swimming Crabs, Shore Crabs, Hairy Crabs, Broad Clawed Porcelain Crabs, Brittles Stars, Sea Spiders, Blennies, Gobies, Five Bearded Rocklings, Shrimps, Limpets, Barnacles, Winkles, Topshells, Dog Whelks, Razor Clams, Oysters, Anemones, Sponges, Algaes and many different species of seaweed!

VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Thorness Bay is a very important site, and the survey proved just how diverse and interesting the wildlife is there!
Everyone was also treated to a beautiful sunset on the beach (inbetween the thunderstorms that is!)



If you would like more information about the Shorsearch project including how to get involved, then take a look at the website for more information:

http://www.hiwwt.org.uk/shoresearch

EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Had to e-mail to send my thanks to all the staff involved in making yesterdays visit to the Park so wonderful!!
I had booked a “penguin experience” and a cake as a birthday surprise for my best friend. From the moment we got to the Park we were treated so well. The lovely lady at the entrance was obviously expecting us and even ensured that she gave me all the information I needed regarding timings etc., in secret so as not to spoil the surprise for my friend.

The 2 keepers that took the “Experience” were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and made it a lovely, personal, hands-on encounter with the penguins.
The Birthday cake, which Graham the chef had made, was really special and was decorated beautifully. It was presented to my friend in the restaurant with all of the staff singing “Happy Birthday”. It was such a nice touch and the cake tasted lovely too!


We both had a wonderful afternoon at the Park. The animals seem happy and well looked after, the surroundings are immaculate and the staff are so friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will remember the visit fondly for a very long time!
Keep up the good work!
Kind regards,
Ann Taylor.
PS – I have posted a glowing tribute for the Park on Trip Advisor. The staff deserve it!!

Humboldt Penguin Moulting 2014

It’s that time of year again when the Humboldt Penguins here at the park are going through their ‘Catastrophic Annual Moult’. 

This is a natural process that all penguins go through once year where they moult and lose all their old brown feathers and then will grow a beautiful brand new set afterwards.

Some of the penguins have now finished moulting and are looking very handsome in their new black and white plumage, whereas some of the others are still looking very bald, pink and scruffy!

During the moult their bodies also swell up and they get extra grouchy so the keepers are having to be extra careful not to get pecked!

Here are some photos of the penguins to show how different they are all looking at the moment:

Humboldt Penguin Moulting 2014 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Finally we have our oldest and most famous penguin who is looking a little on the scruffy side at the moment- Dippy:

EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Dear Lorraine,
Thank you all so much for such a wonderful afternoon on Monday. We all had a fantastic time and the girls haven't stopped talking about their VIP guided tour of the pigs and other animals.
Mum had an amazing birthday party. It was all so beautifully decorated and the food was delicious. Even after last year, she still didn't suss it out ! We shared Graham's yummy cake with some of the other guests at the hotel and everybody said it was a really fantastic cake.
I know I probably said this last year, but I'm going to say it again - I don't think I have ever been anywhere with so many lovely people working there. The effort you make is above and beyond and it makes me want to move to the Isle of Wight so I can come and see you all the time!


Mum will be writing to you herself, but I know she had a wonderful time.
Thank you all once again for making her Birthday so special and we really hope to see you next year!
With very best wishes,
Sandra xx

RANKED NUMBER ONE ON TRIP ADVISOR OUT OF 100 ISLAND ATTRACTIONS

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g503891-d1874777-r219461143-Seaview_Wildlife_Encounter-Seaview_Isle_of_Wight_England.html#REVIEWS
Seaview Wildlife are still in the number one spot on Trip Advisor…… we are getting some fabulous reviews and wonderful comments from our visitors – here is a small selection….

*****
“Excellent place to visit”
Reviewed 4 August 2014 NEW
*****
“very well run”
Reviewed 4 August 2014 NEW
*****
“A fun day out”
Reviewed 31 July 2014 NEW

Don’t leave the Island without visiting this exclusive Wildlife retreat on the NE side of the Island – a hidden gem!

SIZZLING HOT SUMMER MEANS FACTOR 50 FOR WALLABIES AND PENGUINS

The Isle Of Wight is sizzling hot and the heat wave means keepers need to be monitoring the animals even more and tending to their every need so they keep as cool and happy as possible in very hot conditions.
Our albino wallaby mob that originate from Tasmania and Australia are susceptible to skin cancers and many do not survive in their native homelands.  Twice a day the team apply factor 50 to their ears, tail tips and noses.


The colony of Humboldt Penguins that originate from South America go through an annual moult each summer time and shed all their old tatty feathers and then grow back a beautiful new smart  black and white set!  The in between time goes a little pear shaped and there sometimes is a gap between moulting properly and bald patches appearing thus, being susceptible to the burning suns rays making their little backs pink and burnt!  We also apply Factor 50 to our penguins during this time.


Our story made the National papers!!…….

Dippys Saturday Night Disco at the Pepper Pot

The disco started at 9.30pm, just after sunset. Myself and a group of friends had invited lots and lots of animals from all over the Island to come to this massive party located high up on the Downs overlooking the West Wight coastline. The venue being the Pepperpot !!


Inside DJ Squirrel was on the music set with his records ready to blast out some pumping tunes that would get everyone dancing. Above his mixing table high up in the roof of the Pepperpot hung a rotating mirror ball which transcended rainbow coloured lights through the small stone window gaps within the walls. The disco lights illuminated all the surrounding fields and valley below and above in the summers night sky the Milky Way twinkled and glittered which made the whole disco party truly amazing!
We served drinks from a tent situated around the back of the Pepperpot, fizzy lemonade with ice and lemon and Pringles as a tasty snack.
The music rocked and everyone was dancing, DJ Squirrel played some awesome tunes which must have been heard from miles around. Pink smoke covered the grass released from a disco dance pump, I couldn’t see my flippers for most of the night!
The party went on until dawn, everyone helped pack up the disco gear and then we all set off on our journeys home for some much needed sleep!!