MUSINGS FROM THE BOWER 19

This week I visited Paradise! Paradise Wildlife Park is situated near Broxbourne, Herts, and is home to lots of animals, birds and reptiles, including many rarities. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very paradisical – it poured with rain for much of the day, but even so, I still managed to see most of the creatures.

The zoo was purchased in 1984 by the Sampson Family, who could see potential in the then rundown ‘Broxbourne Zoo’ as it was once called. They renamed it ‘Paradise Wildlife Park’ and today, through their hard work and commitment, have produced a first class wildlife attraction, which contains many endangered and rare animals. Amongst the creatures I saw were snow leopards, white lions, tapirs, lemurs, red pandas, otters, camels, parrots, snakes, reindeer, penguins and gibbons. Some of the creatures had young. There was a tiny baby gibbon holding tight to its mother while a young tapir was demonstrating how strong it was by repeatedly lifting a large branch!

Additionally there was a farmyard section, with goats, sheep, pigs and Shetland ponies, while the bunny town consisted of ‘streets’ of house-shaped hutches each sponsored by a local organisation. There was a hutch containing some super guinea pigs too, and there were chickens scuffling around. Have you ever noticed how much beauty there is in the feathers of a chicken?

Everyone has certain things they have always wanted to do – and one of my wishes came true when I was given a tarantula to hold. I’m fond of spiders, and the large Chilean rose tarantula crawled all over my hands. It was a magnificent beast. And then I was allowed to stroke a skunk! The keeper assured me that ‘it only rarely sprays’ (!) so I risked it and stroked its white fur – it was an albino. Interestingly, although the fur looked soft, it felt quite coarse to the touch.

In the evening, I went to a talk by Chris Packham, presenter of many wildlife shows including Springwatch. I have been to several of his talks, and have always found them very entertaining; he shows stunning pictures of animals that he has photographed worldwide, recounting humorous anecdotes as he does so. He is one of those rare people able to hold an audience’s attention even when he changes tack to dwell on the more serious conservation problems. If you ever get the chance to attend a Chris Packham talk, please go! I’m sure that you’ll enjoy it.

This week I also visited Hatfield Forest, a place I visit frequently. The trees were just beginning to turn to their autumn shades – another couple of weeks and the leaves will be red, russet and gold. There were plenty of squirrels gathering beech mast, and on the lake were mallards, grebes, moorhens and geese. I took the path to the decoy pond and was surprised at how many dragonflies were still around enjoying the autumn sunshine. One kept returning to sit on the bench next to me.

The sunlight filtering through the leaves was beautiful, and as usual I took plenty of photographs. As I walked along the narrow path by the pond I heard the cry of a special bird and excitedly looked towards the water – a streak of electric blue sped by. A kingfisher. Luckily I recognised the cry so knew where to look. Although I have seen these beautiful birds before, that was the first kingfisher that I had seen at Hatfield Forest. Sadly, it was too quick for me to get a photo.

I find walking in the forest, amongst those beautiful trees – many of which are ancient – is very therapeutic and full of surprises. This time it was a kingfisher, but at other times I have glimpsed deer, watched baby coots, observed grebes diving for fish and seen a huge cormorant perched high on a bare tree against a blue winter sky. It looked rather like a pterodactyl, there was definitely something prehistoric about that long, strong beak with the hooked end, and the bird’s general poise. Squirrels are commonplace and magpies and jackdaws fly overhead. Sometimes there are nuthatches in a tree beside the path, and often jays and green woodpeckers are around. Yes, I find that a walk through the woods is relaxing and a perfect way to blow away the cobwebs from my mind.