Keepers at Bourton-on-the-Water's Birdland are paying tribute to some of the best feathered Mums for a weekend celebration as part of Mother's Day. (Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 March).  This is the time of year that the hens are starting to lay and sit on eggs and their progress is closely monitored by the bird-keeping team. 

Over the weekend, the talks programme will highlight some of Birdland's hard-working mums, so you can hear more about how birdlife looks after its young.

Head Keeper, Alistair Keen says: “In fact in some cases it's the males that actually do most of the hard work when it comes to looking after the babies, the King Penguin parents share incubation of their single egg – taking it in turns to keep the egg warm on top of their feet. The Emu male has a harem of females laying eggs into his nest.  He will then incubate for 40 or so days and be responsible for protecting the chicks.”

He continues “Our male Emu has already 7 eggs in his nest which will hatch at Easter time, and we have one emu chick already hatched and doing well in the Hatchery!”

Currently the bird-keeping team are keeping a close eye on the Burrowing Owls, Luzon Bleeding Heart Doves and Mindanao Bleeding Heart Doves, who are all showing some signs of nesting. 

Alistair said “The emu chicks are being hand-reared currently and are still in the hatchery until they are big enough to join their parents in the pen at approximately 54 days. We are expecting the 8 eggs to begin hatching soon.” 

The Humboldt Penguins have their new nesting boxes in their enclosure and 3 pairs are showing an interest and Keepers are hopeful of eggs very soon.

Amazing Bird Mum Facts:

• Burrowing Owls burrow underground where several eggs will be laid, away from prying eyes.  
• The Flamingos build a nest cone of mud up to a foot high to protect their single egg from flooding.
• Female pheasants make a scrape on the floor and lay up to 8 eggs which they will incubate and hope that their dull coloured plumage will help camouflage them
• Pigeons build a flimsy nest on a platform of twigs and lay 2 eggs.

Parrots will find holes in trees in which to nest.

• Female Cassowaries are possibly one of the laziest of bird mothers, she will lay eggs in the nests of several males then leave them to incubate and rear the young.  
• Possibly the most committed mother is the female Trumpeter Hornbill, she will seal herself into a cavity in a tree (or a nest box at Birdland) using mud, droppings and saliva.  She will leave a narrow gap through which the male can feed her for the following three months whilst she lays eggs, incubates them and hatches the chicks.  Once the chicks are full size they will then break out

Contact:

• Alistair Keen, Head Keeper on 07772 971287 or 01451 820480
• Simon Blackwell, Manager on 01451 820480 / 07850 929 828

Editors Notes:

• Birdland is situated in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
• Established in 1957, Birdland was one of the first bird encounters to open in the UK.
• The Park and Gardens cover an 9.5-acre site situated around the River Windrush.
• 7 acres are dedicated to the Bird Gardens featuring over 500 exotic and rare birds, 140 species in 50 aviaries including everything from flamingos , pelicans, owls to hornbills, touracos and cassowary.  Temperate and Desert Houses are home to delicate species.  Birdland has the only breeding group of King Penguins in the country.  Spike the King Penguin, who was hand-reared, is a popular resident with his own Facebook and Twitter following.
• There are a number of rare species at Birdland and the team are actively involved with global breeding programmes.
• The 2.5-acre Marshmouth Nature Reserve is a secluded trail where many indigenous species from kingfishers to otters are regularly spotted.
• Birdland is open daily from 10am, Closed Christmas Day only.
• Find us at: Birdland, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucester, GL54 2BN
• Admission:  £8.95 Adults / £5.95 Child (3-15) / Senior £7.95/ Family £28.00 (2+2)

For more information visit: www.birdland.co.uk

Birdland Park & Gardens, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos, GL54 2BN

Tel: 01451 820480   Email: info@birdland.co.uk   www.birdland.co.uk