Wildfowl Reserve

The Wildfowl reserve covers 23 acres and there are several different pathways through the reserve. Bentley has a wonderful collection of birds. There are147 species of wildfowl in the world and around 125 of them can be seen at Bentley.

The term 'wildfowl' is generally applied to Swans, Geese and Ducks. Recent additions to the collection include the spectacular flamingos and cranes - although not strictly wildfowl, they are closely affiliated.

The Black Swans from Australia are some of the most popular birds. They are quite tame (except for breeding pairs which are kept separately) and most attractive with their black plumage, red beaks and white flight feathers.

The Wildfowl reserve was established in 1962. On his return from the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge, Gerald Askew amazed his wife by telling her "I've ordered twenty pairs of wildfowl - where shall we put them?" A bulldozer was brought in to excavate a pond in one of the poorer fields and immediately uncovered a spring. With its water supply assured, the Duckery was established there. Some of the first birds to arrive were Mandarins and Carolinas, Emperor Geese and a pair of Black-necked Swans.