KEEPERS at wildlife park in Bourton-on-the-Water have been celebrating the arrival of an array of newly-hatched chicks this week.

Birdland Park and Gardens has welcomed a host of new feathered friends, including a pair of newly hatched flamingo chicks, a galah, lovebirds, speckled pigeons and weaver birds.

Among the other newcomers is a collared finchbill chick, a first for Birdland, along with five Blacksmith plovers, two grey peacock pheasants, a red billed quelea and several Java Sparrows.

Keepers are also celebrating after their cassowaries produced a clutch of giant green eggs. 

Cassowary chicks are incredibly rare in the UK and the team hope the pair will go on to breed in the new year.

Head keeper Alistair Keen said: “It’s been a successful summer for new chicks and we’re delighted to see some birds breed for the very first time here.

“Breeding is a great indication the birds are happy and healthy and is also a really important part of our role as a wildlife collection as many of them are now at risk in the wild."

In addition to all the births, Birdland has also welcomed a number of new birds from other collections around the world including six scarlet ibis, azure wing magpies, masked plovers and a female seriema.