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White-winged duck, Asarcornis scutulata

Welcome to Harteman Wildfowl Aviaries, a private facility in the Netherlands with a focus on the aviculture and conservation of waterfowl. Harteman Wildfowl contributes to the global knowledge and conservation of the world's ducks, geese and swans by sharing hands-on experience and participating in international ex-situ breeding programmes. 

Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?

- Sir David Attenborough

Highlights

Twenty years since internship Sylvan Heights

 

 

This month marks twenty (20!) years since I did my internship at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl - now better known as Sylvan Heights Bird Park. The bird park was nothing more than plans and dreams at the time, but the breeding farm alone made it worth spending six weeks with Mike, Ali, Brent and the Sylvan Heights family. What a great time I had there and what a lot I learned. I am still so grateful for that experience.

 

Sylvan Heights is home to breeding populations of some of the world’s rarest waterfowl. In some cases, fewer than 250 individuals of these species remain in the wild, and the collaborative captive breeding programs taking place here may be their last barrier against extinction.

 

I can hardly believe that it's been 20 years since then. Unforgettable and sweet memories!

 

Check this Facebook album for some more photos of the internship at Sylvan Heights back in 2005.

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