Zoological Society London

Wild African Dogs at London MAE ©  2013

The London Zoo is part of the Zoological Society London or ZSL for short. Their website states:

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our groundbreaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Although the orignal zoo in London is still a typical old fashioned one with small enclosures for the animals, they are expanding and changing in order to give the animals more space. This is definitely achieved at their other location in Whipsnade, but they are changing the London Zoo as well. In this blog, I would like to show how this looks from behind the camera.

MAE © 2011

The American Flamengo's are so brightly coloured, that you can see them from far away. It is almost as if the zoo keepers re-paint them on a regular basis. 

There are about two dozen of these birds at Whipsnade. They always look very releaxed with their feet in the little pond.














Even a Rhinoceros needs a bath every now and then. And although you never know with these short-sighted and grumpy animals, this one seems to enjoy it. There are quite a few Rhinos at Whipsnade, with plenty of room outdoors to live a happy life.

MAE © 2011

Rockhopper Penguin MAE © 2013

Grey Heron landing for opportuniy food MAE © 2013

The new Penguin Beach is a real attraction in the London Zoo to al visitors, whatever age. Twice a day, the keepers feed the penguins and explain some things about them as well. This is however irrelevant for the ever watchting Grey Heron, who waits for it's moment to land on the beach and (hopefully) get something to eat as well.

  

MAE © 2011

MAE © 2013

And finally a greeting (?) from the Chimpanzees, who don't seem to be bothered by all the attention. One is just eating his 2 out of his 5-a-day apples, and the other is practicing on it's wave skills. The Chimpanzees do have a very nice playing area with lot's of room at Whipsnade.

Croxley Common Moor, an unknown jewel

Bridge over the river Gade MAE © 2011 

More than a two years ago, I discovered a hidden gem, just outside the tiny village of Croxley Green (Herts). Just next to the Grand Union Canal (walking down from the Tube station), and crossing the river Gade, there is  a beautiful field with low bushes and some trees: Croxley Common Moor or CCM for short.

The website of Friends of CCCM states:


Croxley Common Moor has been registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the rarity of its plant life; it is also designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in acknowledgement of the contribution local residents make to its management. This protection is essential because there are only one or two similar river valley sites still in existence in Hertfordshire.

I have been walking many times over the Moor, wandering what new species I would catch with my camera. And there are quite some "firsts" that I would like to share.

Long-tailed Tit MAE © 2013

Only recently I saw my first Long-tailed Tit. This brown and white bird which is called Staartmees in Dutch and Aegithalos Caudatus.in Latin, has indeed a very long tail. It is a very restless creature, so taking a picture of it is quite a challenge. But is worth the wait, since it is indeed a very beautiful little fellow.

Now Spring is gradually arriving the birds all seem to become more restless and quick; taking pictures requires more patience for sure.

Small Tortoiseshell MAE © 2011

And since I am proudly showing some firsts, I have also taken my first (and so far my only) pictures of this very colour butterfly called: Small Tortoiseshell. Everybody knows it, but I haven't seen them very often. This one was very happy sitting on a thistel and had the courtesy to stay put while I was taking pictures. In Dutch it is called Kleine Vos and in Latin it is called Aglais Urticae.

The British Butterfly website from Steven Cheshire confirms my fears:

Recent years have seen a rapid decline in numbers of Small Tortoiseshells across Britain. The primary reason for this decline is thought to be due to the expanding range of a tachinid parasitoid fly called Sturmia bella which was first recorded in Britain in 1999.

Let's hope the decline can be stopped.

Caterpillar of the Cinnabar Moth MAE © 2011

One of the typical dilemma's for the Friends of the CCM is the Ragworth growth. This yellow plant is poisonous to livestock and cows do graze on the CCM on a regular bases to keep the habitat in it's original form. Therefore the friends have to keep the ragworth in check by weeding (with volunteers) every month in the Spring and Summer. But this activity has to stop once the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth (in Dutch: St. Jacobsvlinder; in Latin: Tyria Jacobaeae) arrive, because it is the only thing they eat.

And so the preservation of nature is always a matter of making the right choices at the right time.

You can see more pictures of the CCM at the special FlickRiver Group that I have set up. But why don't you have a look for yourself? It is worth the travel to Croxley Green. Just cross the road from the tubestation, Go left and follow the small road (right turn after 100 yards) down to the canal. After crossing the lock you will find the entrance of the Moor.