There's a host of egg-citing Easter events and activities taking place at Birdland throughout the holidays (Saturday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 24th).

In what is the season of new life, many of the birds will begin courtship and dozens of eggs are due to be laid over the coming weeks.

There have already been eggs with the Indian Scops owl and also nest box interest from the Spectacled owl, which are always the earliest of breeders. There have also been early eggs from the Southern Ground Hornbill, Southern Lapwing, Crested Pigeon and Speckled Pigeon.

Birdland's head keeper Alistair Keen said: "Easter is always a busy time of the year for us as we wait for the eggs to be laid. It's an exciting time of the year when we find out what our new residents are going to look like."

New arrivals at the Bourton-on-the-Water park include a Burrowing Owl, a Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove, a large group of Java Sparrows and three White-Faced Whistling Ducks.

Families can join in the Easter Challenge Quiz throughout the holidays, hunting down 10 hidden eggs around the park and answering some fun ornithological questions.

Visitors can also go back in time to hunt for dinosaur eggs in the Jurassic Journey trail and explore prehistoric fossils in the Dino Dig.

There are plenty of opportunities to brush up on bird facts at daily feeding shows and talks, where visitors have a chance to meet the keepers who care for all the birds in the park.

There will be a mini penguin talk at 11am, followed by talks on flamingos and parrots at 11.30am and 12pm respectively. You can Meet a Keeper at 12.30pm and there will be a pelican feed at 3.15pm.

One of the most popular daily feeds is at 2.30pm with the penguins, whose enclosure is undergoing redevelopment work which includes some new theming and new glass going into the pool.

This redevelopment is due to be completed by early April and will include a themed fishing village setting and an improved public viewing area.

Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water is open daily from 10am. Visit www.birdland.co.uk  for more information.