Georgia Wetlands

The Georgia Wetlands exhibit is located within Webb’s Brake, a woodland area that comprises some historic garden features such as pools/reed beds, small bridges and narrow paths. This exhibit has been chosen to match the natural existing habitat as closely as possible. The ecosystem upon which this exhibit will be based is in Central Kolkheti wetland, Georgia; a wetland area of international importance (a RAMSAR) site. This little known area of eastern Europe, previously behind the closed doors of the USSR, has been shown to be a haven of wildlife.

The exhibit will consist of a large walk-through aviary built amongst the existing trees and woodland of Webb’s Brake and over the many waterways and pathways that weave themselves through this natural glade. In addition to the wide variety of birds, the aviary will also house some mammal exhibits. A ranger station and keeper facilities will be located outside the aviary.

A short journey off the main pathway takes visitors to a small shelter that operates as a gateway into the aviary. The single route takes them through the aviary, across boardwalks and bridges and through small hides into some larger open areas and other smaller, more intimate, areas. At one point the route takes visitors out of the aviary itself on an existing path to allow the exploration of the current rich natural habitat.

The landscape is managed so that visitors are unlikely to catch glimpses of other visitors across the exhibit, heightening the sense of being immersed in a special ecosystem. Arriving at the timber ranger station, visitors are provided with a long range view of the main flamingo pool.

Newly created water areas introduce a number of larger and smaller ponds needed for other species of bird to congregate and breed.