Sunday 7 August 2011

The Chestnut Centre. Otters Owls & Wildlife Park

This weekend I visited The Chestnut Centre a small wildlife sanctuary situated amongst the hills of the High Peak in Derbyshire.



It's a lovely walk from the entrance across the deer park to reach the animal enclosures which are in a woodland setting with a stream running through it.

The centre cares for injured and abandoned native wildlife but there were also non-native species of otters and owls.... conservation is mentioned in the brochure.
Tawny Owls
The otters did have large pools especially the Giant South American species which have bred successfully over the years... there were two young cubs born this March.

My favourites were the Asian Short Claw Otters..... images below.



The park had lots of information boards for kids to learn about wildlife.
And at head height for the under 10's.

I have added a short video clip.... it's less than two minutes long.
I was amazed to watch the Asian Short Claw Otters shifting big rocks in their search for food.
A very chatty animal.

16 comments:

Magia da Inês said...

ჱܓ
。°✿Amigo,

A série de fotos está incrível.

Vale a pena investir na natureza.
Adorei a agilidade das lontras.

No meu país, infelizmente já tem uma espécie em extinção... amei o vídeo, a água, o barulho da água e as lontras nadando...

Deixo um abraço carinhoso.
Boa semana! ჱܓ

。°✿Beijinhos.
°º✿ Brasil.
º° ✿✿♥ ° ·.

ADRIAN said...

It is twenty years since I was here.........it has come on a long way. If one is going to keep otters then this is how it should be done.
I called at a place in Devon they subjected their Otters to tanks that would have made a cess pit look hygenic. A depressing experience was that.

TexWisGirl said...

the deer are magnificent! and you can't help but smile when you see those otters! their little squeaks made my dogs perk up here.. :)

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful photos for a brilliant park.

grammie g said...

Hi Andrew...Oh my I could sit and watch those Otters all day ...how cute it's that....and strong little critters to!!
A lovely spot! The deer are majestic!!
Very nice ♥ Grace

DeniseinVA said...

I would love to visit this place one day. So enjoyable to see all these beautiful animals and I loved the video. Thanks Andrew.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

That was a nice video. I am just now "learning" how to do video and put it onto my blog. So this has inspired me to press on with my efforts. The deer are beautiful. I could watch the otters all day.

Joe said...

Oh my goodness... dear and otters. You live in a wonderful part of the world.

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots from a beautiful place!
I wouldn't mind living in that house ;)
I'm glad there are still places out there like this, caring for the wildlife!

Fotokarusellen said...

A wonderful post from a very beautiful place. Great work, Andrew.

A nice week to you.

Unknown said...

Otters are so cute! Awesome shots of the deer and beautiful scenery on top.

joo said...

Terrific walk! I love otters and owls and the scenery is just awesome!

Unknown said...

Great tour Andrew!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

John said...

Hi Andrew,
Otters are my favourite mammal, so intelligent and it helps that they look quite cute too! Only ever seen 1 wild one, in the Highlands many years ago. I live in hope that I will soon see another, they are apparently present in every county in Britain now, so who knows!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

936000 said...

Wonderful! The deer are nice but Love the Owls and it would be very hard for me to stop watching/leave the otters!
Lucky, lucky you!

Pantherka said...

Otters are wonderful. I could watch them all day. Beautiful shots!