Wednesday 17 July 2013

Behind The Scenes

As you know, we bought a season ticket for Lotherton Hall earlier in the year. Though the price has increased over the last couple of years, we've still had our money's worth out of it already. Recently, we received a letter inviting us to a Season Ticket Holders' Exclusive Event, Behind The Scenes at Lotherton Bird Garden.

The event was last night, and a beautiful evening it was too.


The heat of the day was subsiding, and the park looked beautiful in the evening light.


We were able to visit the Bird Garden and meet some of the team who care for the birds. There was a talk about the owls and we got to meet this barn owl, Gascoigne, named after the family to which the property belonged. Gescoigne is four years old and was hand reared by one of the team. He's a beautiful bird, and we learnt some fascinating facts about owls which I didn't already know.


The snowy owl was wondering what was going on.


I love this mural which explains things about different birds. The emphasis is definitely on education in the bird garden and facts about different birds are dotted about all over.


The birds were much more vocal that I've heard them before. I suppose the time of day had something to do with this. I always talk to animals, whether they can answer or not, so I was quite surprised when I said Hello to this bare eyed cockatoo named Goosey and got a reply. I think he though I was a bird too as he kept saying Hello Birdie and calling me a Pretty Boy.


As we walked away he even said Goodbye.

I love these Laughing Kookaburras but didn't realise that they're members of the kingfisher family. There's so much to learn every time you visit Lotherton.


This is a great bug hotel which is situated in the Wildlife Friendly Garden, it's on a much larger scale than the small one I've got in my own garden.


There's a new deer hide at Lotherton which we could have had a preview of but we just didn't have the time, we were so engrossed in the talks which were going on in the bird garden, but I'm sure we'll get to see it in use very soon.

I noticed this sign asking for volunteers to help care for the birds, that's something I could be quite interested in if I had a little more free time on my hands.


At the end, we were given complimentary refreshments in the Stables Cafe. It was lovely sitting outside in the courtyard at the end of the day, watching what I think were House Martins flying in and out of the stables buildings, there were so many of them, they must have nests in there.


All in all we had a lovely time, and I think it was a very worthwhile event, we certainly enjoyed it.

24 comments:

  1. How wonderful to see all the animals when it's not so busy with others. The season ticket was a good thing.
    June

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was lovely and quiet, a totally different atmosphere to usual. The season ticket has definitely been worth the money.

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful way to spend an evening. I'd have loved it, especially seeing the Kookaburra.
    Jill x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a wonderful evening, something out of the ordinary. There's so many lovely birds to see.

      Delete
  3. What a really interesting evening, all the more enjoyable for being able to enjoy it in the warm evening sun.
    Have you ever posted about your bug hotel? I think they are wonderful things, that one is a real des res!
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We loved it, and as you say, the lovely weather just added to it. I posted about my bargain bug hotel on my other blog, you can find the post here:-
      http://www.jo-thegoodlife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-desirable-residence.html
      I've been saying that I'll build a bug hotel for a few years now but haven't got round to it, so I cheated.

      Delete
  4. What a lovely way to spend a warm summer's evening! Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so interesting, a really lovely evening.

      Delete
  5. Such a beautiful place! I love to look at birds. They're really pretty, especially the owls. Gascoigne is stunning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a really beautiful place, we love to walk Archie there, though of course, we can't visit the bird garden when he's with us. I love to encourage birds to the garden, but I don't see any of the birds they have in the bird garden in my own garden.

      Delete
  6. A most enjoyable post and lovely photos, it looks and sounds like you had a wonderful evening.
    I've always been fascinated with owls, and like you I always talk to animals.
    The deer hide is something to look forward to when you next visit. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought this would be right up your street. Owls are such beautiful birds, the talk was so interesting. I'm sure we'll make plenty of use of the deer hide in the future.

      Delete
  7. What a lovely event. There's something magical about warm summer evenings spent outdoors isn't there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a fabulous event and there's talk of more events for season ticket holders in the future, so I'll look forward to hearing what's on the cards. It was the perfect event for a warm summer evening.

      Delete
  8. The owl looks nice, I like them. The nice thing about this great weather is that you can enjoy evenings outside, looks nice there. I have missed a few posts, finally got some time to get on here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Owls are beautiful birds, all kinds are very different from another. We're enjoying our evening walks with Archie in this lovely weather.

      Delete
  9. A great, relaxing way to spend a warm Summer evening and learn more about the birds. Love the close-ups of Gascoigne, the barn owl and the snowy owl - I'm assuming you're using your new camera.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a lovely evening. These photos were actually taken with my bridge camera, it's much better at getting closer shots, especially of birds which are in aviaries. I'm limited with the lens on the DSLR so I'll have to look in to which all round lens would be better.

      Delete
  10. Just catching up Jo, and couldn't believe seeing some of my lovely Australian birds (cockatoo and kookaburra). We also have owls over here too and I've always been an owl nut. I would love to be a volunteer in the aviary, as I just love all animals and birds. So glad the weather was kind for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's birds from all over the world at Lotherton and so much to learn about them, you'd love it. I especially like the owls, there's just something about them.

      Delete
  11. What an amazing place Jo!
    That owl is gorgeous! As all the birds are of course. I love those bug houses, I've seen them before
    ... cute little things!
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is an amazing place, and there's birds there that you wouldn't otherwise see. The bug houses are great for attracting wildlife to the garden, I have one on a much smaller scale.

      Delete
  12. Lotherton looks marvellous! Gorgeous birdy pics. Do you think you could find time ever to volunteer Jo, I'm sure you'd love it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'd really enjoy volunteering, perhaps in the not too distant future now that the kids are growing up.

      Delete