Brook Valley Zoo
(Former Wisbroek Breeding Center)

Brook Valley Zoo

I'd heard about the Wisbroek Breeding Center (now Brook Valley Zoo) for years and had always wanted to visit, so I was really happy when I finally got the chance. It's a really lovely collection with a strong focus on rare and unusual bird species, and definitely one of the most interesting bird collections I've visited.

The collection consists of long rows of aviaries filled mainly with birds-of-paradise, cranes, birds of prey, and many other bird groups. From a species collector's perspective, it's an incredibly strong collection, with lots of rare and interesting taxa that you don't often get to see concentrated in one place.

One of the biggest highlights for me is the birds-of-paradise. During my visits I've seen six different species on show: Greater, Lesser, Magnificent, Red, King, and Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, spread across numerous aviaries. They have also maintained an impressive group of Flame Bowerbirds, with several aviaries dedicated to the species.

The layout is simple and functional, and very much focused on the birds rather than fancy presentation, which fits the collection perfectly. You just walk along the long rows of aviaries and take everything in at your own pace.

As with many breeding-focused collections, the species on show change over time. Between my visits I noticed both new arrivals and species that had disappeared from the collection. Some species I had previously seen on show, such as Great Barbet, Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Pheasant-tailed Jacana, were no longer on show. I was told that the Pheasant-tailed Jacanas had been sent to a private collection in Germany, with the hope of receiving some back in the future if breeding there is successful.

Overall, Brook Valley Zoo is a fantastic place to visit if you're interested in rare birds. It's one of those collections that might not look flashy at first, but if you're into unusual species, it's an absolute must-visit. I know I'll be back again.