Reserve manager John Gowland said: “We have begun lowering the level of Wader Lake by gradually lifting the top sluice board, allowing the water to slowly drain into Spring Gill then out in to the River Wear.

“By releasing the water gradually during a mild spell of weather, we create a bountiful supply of extra food for wintering wildfowl. This is timed to coincide with the birds feeding up in readiness for their journeys back to their breeding grounds.

“Bird life on Wader Lake looked fantastic today, with a host of wader and wildfowl species taking advantage of the freshly-exposed mud and grass.

“The grey heron colony now has at least five birds incubating eggs and a woodcock was flushed from the wet flash behind White Meadow scrub during morning fence check.”

The joint event brings two very different mediums and subjects into the frame.  Amanda has worked as a professional artist since 1997, but was drawing and observing animals and wild places from a very young age.  Amanda is particularly inspired by placing wildlife in their environment and has developed a number of styles ranging from realistic detailed studies to more abstract, inspired by light, colour and form of wild habitats.  While working on the interpretative fit out at the new Castle Espie Centre over two years, Strangford Lough could not fail to inspire Amanda and this collection reflects the very essence of this stunning location and the wildlife it supports. This is Amanda’s third exhibition and she has worked on many individually commissioned paintings and illustrations internationally Amanda highlights, ‘I am looking forward to exhibiting ‘Turning Tides’ for the first time in Northern Ireland. The unique and beautiful landscape and wildlife of Strangford Lough captured my imagination during my time here. WWT
Castle Espie’s stunning views of the Lough makes it the perfect place to show my work’.

Jennifer Brown, a textile artist from Belfast. graduated from the University of Ulster with a BA (Hons) in Fine Craft Design. She creates intricate embroidered pieces of art using hand and machine embroidery. Jennifer highlights, “I love tactile uneven areas and shapes. My love for the work of artists Gustav Klimt and Friederich Hundertwasser is a constant source of inspiration. When starting to make a piece I find it evolves into the shape it
becomes through the subconscious imagination and I allow instinct to take over’. Jennifer’s exhibition will include a series of textile pots called ‘Nests’ and has been supported by the Arts Council (NI) SIAP Award.

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve. For further information on this exhibition, forthcoming events conservation campaigns and closing times please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.

Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE.  Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits. Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK
wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world. visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details.

Susan Barley from NFU Mutual presenting the prize to the winner Danita Teemul

Poetic flair and green ideas helped Danita Teemul win our Work Your Butt competition.

Danita, from Gloucester, doesn’t own a water butt but impressed judges with her fun poem about how she would put hers to good use.

She came to Slimbridge to collect her prize of £250 gardening vouchers courtesy of NFU Mutual.

Here is her winning entry :

‘If I had one, I would work my butt by…..’

Watering tomatoes, lettuce and squash,
They’ll grow into tasty nosh,
From the butt, I’d fill my pond,
Making the Froggies rather fond,
The humble butts’ truly a star,
I’d even use it washing my car,
Butts are great, price is a pain,
So instead………
I put pots in the rain!

‘Work Your Butt’ is a fun, cheeky awareness campaign being launched last spring by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) with a serious message.

WWT called on the nation’s garden owners to use their water butts to wash the car, water the plants or even top up their pond, and highlighted the benefits that less reliance on mains water has on the environment and their pockets.

Bird Box Building

The breeding season is upon us and your garden birds will be searching for suitable nest sites! Castle Espie have a whole lot on offer this half term so why not drop in to make your very own bird box to take home and put in your garden and hopefully give some fluffy chicks their first home! You will receive expert one-to-one instruction to help you complete your box. There is nothing quite matches the fun of making your very own nest box and watching on a daily basis as a pair of birds make their nest and raise their family in your own garden.

So come along to our popular annual drop-in nest box building workshop on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th February between 12 noon and 4pm. Suitable for all ages from toddlers to the retired. If you would like to keep your bird box a small charge of £5 will be applied to cover the cost of the materials.

Our award-winning wetland reserve and visitor centre has something to keep all the family entertained and your little ones will enjoy our funniest storyteller in the history of storytelling with lots of tales from the animal kingdom. So join us at Everything’s Going Quackanory on Friday 17th to Monday 20th February 11am, 11.30pmm 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm & 3.30pm. Craft activities will be running from 11-4pm so why not make a bird, butterfly, or moth and race them against each other. For those of a more reflective/bookish nature – why not make a simple ‘birdy’ book mark.

Regular events at Castle Espie

Duck tales – What whistles and doesn’t quack? Find out more about the fascinating birds in our captive collection. A perfect time to witness the collective birds in their finest beauty (Every Saturday and Sunday at 12noon & 2pm). Birdwatch Morning (Thursday 23rd February 10.30am) Join Dot Blakely our resident expert, to find out more about birds in and around the grounds. Everyone welcome, but as any of the regulars will tell you, if you come out for a birdwatch walk with Dot, it might take longer then an hour, you might see or hear birds in the woods that you didn’t know about, and you will really enjoy your lunch when you get back to the centre.

All events are included in the cost of admission. For more information about WWT Castle Espie, please visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie, email maeve.curran@wwt.org.uk or call 028 9174 146. Follow us on Twitter @WWcastleespie.

Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE. Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits.

Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world.

Ask a member of staff or visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details.

Hares have been spotted playing on Old Oak meadow and the grey heron colony is nesting in earnest. Wardens think a couple of pairs may already be incubating eggs, which isn’t unusual for these majestic, hardy birds. In fact, they typically squeeze two or even three broods of chicks into their long breeding season!

Young birds such as the ones in this picture will be visible in their nests from a lake-side hide or via CCTV from Waterside Cafe in the coming weeks.

Wader Lake was frozen over during the recent cold snap, but the ice has now thawed and wardens are lowering the water levels in preparation for nesting spring waders. Expected species include lapwing and the avocet, which has bred successfully on-site since 2006, with two pairs hatching chicks last year for the very first time.

Our reserve manager John Gowland said: “All of our birds have been feeling the cold recently – the exotic collection birds have been taking on extra food from the daily feed wheelbarrows and we have added willow shelters and straw into their exhibits, protecting them from the worst of the winter weather.

“The wild birds at Hawthorn Wood have also been flocking to the feeders in search of high-energy peanuts, sunflower seeds and lard, to help them survive the cold weather.

“We had a count of 11 robins at the feeding station on Saturday 10 February, all of which were waiting for me to add fresh lard and seed mix into the stumps of the tree trunks.

“One robin was so impatient it landed on my arm for a few seconds as I applied its breakfast to the stump and I managed to get a shot of a second robin waiting less than a foot away for its turn!”

The brown hare has suffered a 75% decline in England since the 1960s. The North West Brown Hare Project aims to improve our standing of the brown hare population within Greater Manchester, South Lancashire and North Merseyside.

The event begins with a classroom session to learn how to identify the signs of a brown hare before going outside to undertake a survey. The event includes a lunch of soup, sandwich and hot drink and costs £10.00.

The event begins at 2pm with lunch.

To book, please call Lucy on 01704 895181 or email info.martinmere@wwt.org.uk

WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.  The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.

Welney regular Baldur (U5B), his mate U5S, and last year's brood of 7 cygnets. David Featherbe

See some feathery favourites at the floodlit swan feeds such as Baldur, Wimble and Toby Two!  As well as catching up with our Welney hatched whooper ,‘Junior’, along with parents Romeo and Julietta.

Thousands of wintering swans will be preparing for their spring migrations by catching a feed at WWT Welney.  Spectacular evening floodlit feeds at 6.30pm (Thurs-Sun) as well
as daily 12noon and 3.30pm feeds, offer chances to get close to these amazing birds.  Some of which are well know to staff at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Welney.

This winter there have been plenty of familiar faces amongst the swans including Toby Two, ringed at Welney in 2008 and Wimble who was ringed in Iceland in 2000.  Amongst these individual swans there are whole family groups jostling for a place at the feeds including Baldur and his mate with this year’s brood of five cygnets.  As well as the whooper pair Romeo and Julietta and their Welney hatched cygnet, ‘Junior’, who has been mixing with the migratory swans at the feeds.  A question that we all would like the answer to is will this cygnet take to the skies this spring and follow the migration to Iceland – its
first ever migration!

Samantha Lee, Public Engagement Officer at Welney comments on the half term activities on offer next week.  ‘The swan feeds are a really unique experience and in this cold weather, with the birds brought closer to the hides you really don’t need specialist equipment to be able to enjoy them.  It’s incredible to see swans returning to Welney each winter and to get to know some of the birds really well is a privilege.’

‘During half term there is also the chance to learn more about our winter migrants with our discovery trail out on the reserve.  Or if visitors need to take a break from the cold and warm up in the visitor centre there will be led sessions on how to make fat-feeders for garden birds from 1.45-2.45pm with activity stations available throughout the day.’

The Ouse washes wetlands site at Welney is the UK’s largest winter roosting site for whooper and Bewick’s swans.  Add to this, thousands of wintering duck and you have one of the best winter wildlife spectacles in the UK right on the doorstep.  The swan feeds are a great way to learn about these fantastic birds and the amazing migrations they undertake to get to the UK each year.

For more information on the swan feeds and other activities at WWT Welney call the centre on 01353 860711, go to our events page or follow us on twitter @WWTWelney.

A Pair of Nenes taken by Dominic Heard

Couples will be able to admire our love birds if they make a Valentine’s visit to Slimbridge Wetland Centre over half term.

Pairs of geese have been wandering the grounds for the last few weeks preparing their nests ready to lay eggs.

This half term visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite Hawaiian goose pair (or nene) to mark 60 years of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s work to save them.

This appealing species faced extinction in the 60s as numbers dipped dangerously low in Hawaii, thanks to WWT’s intervention their numbers have grown and are now stable in the wild and there is a healthy population in collections such as the one at Slimbridge.

Visitors coming over the half term week (11 to 19 February) will be able to choose between different couples picked out as having strong personalities or for being good parents.

Visitors will be able to mull over their choice while they enjoy a cream tea in the Water’s Edge Restaurant overlooking the Caribbean flamingos

The love trail is included in the normal cost of admission. See the Love Trail event here.

The breach is just visible in front of the digger

The riverbank at the saline lagoon has now been breached and we expect the habitat to flood for the first time during high tide on Friday 9 March (about 4pm).

Join us for a special guided tour of the lagoon on Saturday 25 February at 2pm, before the River Wear floodeth over!

 
When he designed WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, Sir Peter Scott’s original vision was for visitors in the main gallery to look out over Swan Lake and be able see across the landscape all the way to the South Downs.  The current Arun Riverlife Project at the wetland centre seeks to restore some of this inspired outlook. The proposed project design reflects the riverscape of the Arun valley, undertaking the landscaping of Swan Lake.  The South Downs National Park is supporting the project with a £30,000 grant from the Sustainable Communities Fund and we are looking forward to working in partnership with them. Natural England has licensed the tree work around the lake which is the first phase of the project starting in February.  There are strict plans for working in the area so we can protect sensitive species like our dormouse population.

Trees obstructing the views to the South Downs will be reduced and the landscape redesigned to give the impression that the River Arun flows up to the windows of the centre.  Shorter scrub around the lake will be preserved as dormouse habitat.  New land will be created around the lake edge allowing us to improve and maintain habitat for dormice. The land banks here will remain as hibernacula for snakes and reptiles.

We began the Arun Riverlife Project in January by arranging for contractors to net the larger fish from Swan Lake. The fish are being held in a quarantine pond offsite. Once they have passed a health check the fish will be re-located to other ponds and lakes in the area. This fishing had to be done under license in winter so the fish do not overheat during transpor

The fence along the river bank has been removed in preparation for connecting our site with the River Wear

The landscaping of the lagoon is progressing well, with the creation of mud islands for nesting birds. To the left of the shot is the area of riverbank that will be breached and flooded.

London Wetland Centre is a 43 hectare nature reserve located close to the heart of the capital. Just ten minutes from Hammersmith, the reserve is a network of ponds, lakes and reedbeds teeming with wildlife, from dragonflies to peregrine falcons.

Mike Caiden said “London Wetland Centre wardens work outside in all weather conditions every day. It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding when you realise that your work benefits a huge range of birds, animals and plants, and also all the people who come to visit our nature reserve. The video shows that there’s always something new to see every time you visit. ”

The video shows how the reserve is managed to attract birds and animals. London Wetland Centre wardens control the water levels and maintain the reeds and other plants to provide a variety of wetland habitats.

The first view in the video shows a water channel leading towards the Peacock Tower, the Centre’s three storey viewing hide. As the seasons change the trees and reeds grow and change colour before dying back for winter. See if you can spot swans and coots paddling in the water.

The second angle shows the Wader Scrape, a shallow pool with islands fringed with muddy areas for wading birds. As the seasons change, water levels are raised and lowered by the reserve team. This provides different types of habitats throughout the year.

The final shots show the Grazing Marsh. Look out for London Wetland Centre’s three highland cattle, which help maintain the grass areas. Their dung also attracts larger flies and beetles which in turn provide food for bats and summer visitors like swifts and sand martins. Again, the level of water is changed during the year. In winter the water level is raised to provide a vital feeding area for wintering ducks.

The Centre is managed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), a conservation charity working across the UK and overseas to preserve wildfowl and their wetland habitats. WWT’s London Centre begins its twelfth year with a string of conservation successes including the provision of water bodies for high numbers of wintering ducks, breeding grounds for the rare hairy dragonfly, and a vital feeding habitat for several species of bats. The reserve is also home to breeding colonies of water voles, common lizards, slow worms and grass snakes.

Find out more: four seasons at WWT London Wetland Centre

See more of Mike Caiden’s London Wetland Centre images

A busy Rushy Lake in the morning of the Festival taken by Derek Cropton

To kickstart the Festival Mark Carwardine delivered an entertaining evening talk on Friday (Feb 3) to a packed cinema called Ultimate Wildlife Experiences based on his new book.

On the Saturday Simon King came to reopen the Zeiss Hide, which has had work done on it to improve the interpretation, windows and flooring thanks to a grant by Zeiss.

Simon King at the Slimbridge Bird Festival taken by Derek Cropton

Simon King wraps up warm ahead of Zeiss Hide opening

Simon was met with a huge cheer from the 100 or so birdwatchers gathered outside to witness the plaque unveiling. During his speech Simon joked that that was a chance that a ‘B’ might show itself but that he couldn’t mention its full name or it would never appear.

Sadly the bittern which has been showing repeatedly at Slimbridge indeed didn’t show on the Saturday. Later that day Simon signed copies of his books and did a question and answer session in the cinema.

On the Sunday it was the turn of the Urban Birder David Lindo to entertain the crowds. He did some birdwatching around Slimbridge before giving an afternoon talk.

There were many other popular events at the festival including warden Martin McGill’s Great Waterbird challenge, James Lees’ talk on seasonal birding highlights from Slimbridge and Julia Newth’s swan bill sketching session.

Sally Munro, marketing manager at the Centre, said: “We have had great feedback from many visitiors and we are thrilled that so many wildlife fans braved the ice and snow to reach us.

Eyebrook Birdfeeds: one of many great stands in the Centre taken by Derek Cropton

“There was a fantastic range of speakers, outdoor activities and shopping opportunities which kept our visitors entertained for the whole day.

“We think this event has shown real potential and hope to make it an annual festival.”

On the Lookout by Glenton Roberts

The predicted cold snap has hit, and while it may have its foot-stamping, hand-rubbing downsides, it can also create some stunning photographic opportunities.

So make the most of the wintry weather at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, where the beauty of the season in all its glory can be easily captured on camera – and could scoop a top prize in the WWT Photography Competition 2011/12.

Frosty Leaves by Amanda Lowden

Pretty, frost-edged leaves; a colourful bullfinch waiting patiently in crisp sunlight at the feeding station and a serene misty reedbed are just some of the entries so far in the winter heat of the competition, which closes on 29 February.

Taking place over 12 months, with four seasonal heats, the WWT Photography Competition 2011/12 is looking for the best photos representing that season.

At the end of each heat, winners from each of WWT’s nine wetland centres – including WWT Washington – will be chosen from each category.

Misty by June Shaw

When the competition closes on 31 August 2012, all regional heat winners will go through to the grand national final to be held in the autumn; with an overall Portfolio Photographer being awarded the grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.

Judi Mahon, from Middle Herrington, was winner of the autumn People’s Choice
category for WWT Washington, with her shot ‘Vantage Point’.

She said: “A visit to WWT Washington is always an uplifting experience, you never know what will crop up.

“I took up nature photography after retiring early from an office-based occupation and receiving a movie camera as a leaving gift.

“Things moved on rapidly from there – camera and lenses and joining WWT was the next step.

Vantage Point by Judi Mahon

“The photograph was taken from the lake hide and was purely opportunistic. Patience is the name of the game!”

The WWT Photography Competition 2011/12 winter heat closes on Wednesday 29 February 2012. For more information, visit http://photo.wwt.org.uk

So as the cold snap begins, our wardens are busy making sure that we do all we can to help protect it from the elements.

A great-spotted woodpecker builds up its energy reserves (by Marcel Lundy)

Extra seed and fat is being put out for our visiting woodland birds, as it is essential that they keep their energy reserves built up during cold weather (there’s up to 20% off bird feeding products in our shop, if you wish to do the same!).

Right now we’re being inundated with flocks of colourful tits and finches, which are stocking up for the days ahead. Spot them on the many feeders at Hawthorn Wood or clinging to the tree trunks, devouring the lard that we’ve smeared there for them.

We’ll also be making sure that these beautiful birds have enough fresh water to drink and bathe in, which is something that people may forget about when looking after birds in their own garden. Be sure that you don’t!

A woven willow shelter (left)

We’ve built woven willow and recycled timber shelters for our rare and exotic wildfowl, with lots of lovely straw bedding to keep them warm, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on our ponds too, ensuring that they don’t completely freeze over.

And we haven’t forgotten the humans either! We’re open 364 days a year, so we’ll be here for the public whatever the weather; allowing visitors to explore our fantastic winter wildlife and scenery despite the snow. Plus Waterside Cafe will be serving up warming food and drink to those that do brave the wintry conditions.

We hope to see you soon

Read Paul’s column every week in the Chichester Observer, Bognore Regis Observer and Midhurst & Petworth Observer.

Arriving to work at Arundel Wetland Centre this morning I was greeted by a choir of song thrush, robins, great tits and dunnocks.  This dawn chorus made me optimistic about my walk today but now a constant rain beats down on the reserve and as I make my way to the Ramsar hide, the sky and my mood are much greyer.  A bedraggled pheasant shelters under a tree. She has no natural oils to waterproof her feathers. The bare branches in the hedgerow run with water, soaking the scraggy remains of an old nest near the trunk. A group of jackdaws try to steal grain from the Tundra pen feeder .

A male lapwing struts the grassland.

At the Ramsar hide my mood lifts when I see how the heavy rain has brought out the crowds. Eight lapwing are feeding on the grassland, scurrying in their amusing ‘run and stop’ fashion.  A male lapwing struts near the water’s edge across from the hide, calling aggressively with his tail in the air. A few of the lapwing take short swooping flights at each other. These could be the start of territory skirmishes and spring pairing. Strangely I see a wing pointing straight up from the grassland, saluting the sky. My binoculars show that it’s a wood pigeon , showering in the downpour by allowing the rain underneath its wing. 

Teal dabble in shallow pools forming on the saturated grassland. Invertebrates rise to the surface of the soggy ground, giving the ducks an easier meal.  Three cormorants are fishing the waters, popping out onto the long island to re-oil their feathers by preening. A snipe is bathing at the water’s edge, flapping its wings in the water. There are 80 black headed gulls and ten common gulls sitting on the long island. Six shoveler, four shelducks and a scattering of gadwall dot the islands along with five more lapwing.

Nearing the Sand Martin hide I see another bullfinch flit across the path. The wide approach here with hedgerow on both sides is a bullfinch favourite. Outside the hide a pair of shoveler ducks sits on the gravel island to the right. A group of four tufted ducks are out on the water where five male teal whistle and display to court two females. The drakes dip the tip of their bills in the water then flick their heads back while cocking their tails.

At the Scrape hide there are 51 teal on the far side of the water. A head flick in the little bay behind the reed island alerts me to the presence of even more displaying teal. Two snipe sit on the small clump of scrub between the two reed-covered islands.

Harvest Mouse by Martin McGill

I duck into the Wetland Secrets plant house to avoid the rain. Inside this medieval-style thatched house many wetland herbs and plants are hanging from the rafters, perfuming the air with rich earthy scent. Bundles of teasel, reed and ivy sit drying in corners of the outer room. One bundle includes reed mace with seed heads that have been pilfered. I lift this bundle gently away from the wall. Movement! – a tiny harvest mouse climbs quickly up inside the reed bundle, away from its soft nest made from reed mace seed heads.   Harvest mice are the smallest mouse in the UK. They are great climbers, with a prehensile tail that can grab onto the plants as they scramble through fields or brush.

Ducks and geese from warmer climates can fight frosty feet this winter inside new homes at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre.  Australian mapgpie geese and Indian white-faced whistling ducks have feet better designed for the milder climates their species are named after. Exposure to frost can damage their delicate feet, causing deformities.  “The frost is a real danger and the new walled shelters stop it from creeping in,” said Sam McKinlay, reserve supervisor. Volunteers and staff at Arundel Wetland Centre have constructed four new ‘Magpie Mansions’. These sturdy wooden shelters have three walls, asphalt roofs and wooden floors lined with straw. The straw-covered wooden pallets used as shelters in past years have been upgraded by adding log walls to keep out the cold.

 The winter temperatures are dropping and hard frosts are predicted this week.  “The birds haven’t had to use the new shelters very often this winter,” said reserve warden Paul Stevens,” but thanks to our volunteers we have them now, when it is really crucial.”  Along with the shelters new self-feeders have been introduced to ensure geese in the Arundel Wetland Centre collection can help themselves to extra food in cold weather.  Visitors say these strange looking black plastic shapes on three legs look like space-ships, but the feeders are designed to keep the grain off the ground and away from vermin and pigeons.

 If you have wood working skills and would like to volunteer at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, please call 01903 881529 and ask for Sam McKinlay or email sam.mckinlay@wwt.org.uk.

The event, taking place on Tuesday 14 February, starts at 7pm. Places are very limited to ensure a personalised evening, you must book in advance by calling 01704 895181 to ensure you get your place.

 The evening costs £45 per person.

 WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.00pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.  The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.

Nature experts warn that this summer could be the worst for wildlife in over 30 years if the current period of low rainfall continues.

Rainfall has been so low that in many areas the level of moisture in the soil is currently worse than in 1976, when the UK suffered one of the most severe droughts on record[i].

Flock of grazing wigeon by James Lees

All creatures need water to survive and reports from around the UK indicate wildlife is already being affected. As WWT’s Welney Wetland Centre in Norfolk is located in one of the worst affected areas by the drought, there has not been enough rainfall to flood the grassland habitats, which has meant less food for grazing ducks such as wigeon.

But even through these worrying times, there have been both positive and negative effects on wildlife. Usually one of the biggest problems to the Ouse Washes is too much water (at the wrong times) leading to the inundation of breeding wader habitat and the loss of chicks.  Last year this didn’t happen and we had fairly good breeding success this summer. The winter levels on the washes are also not too bad because they are being maintained by tidal influence. However, the areas of wet grassland further away from the river channels are very dry and we simply do not have enough water to keep them wet, this is affecting the numbers of wintering wildfowl such as wigeon.

Although water supply to most homes may not be affected as water companies have measures in place to collect and store enough water for domestic supply, this comes at the expense of the countryside. Farming is already under pressure to produce crops with an uncertain water supply. If supplies dwindle as predicted this summer, the conflict is likely to be pitched as farming vs. wildlife when really both are victims of the way water is used
and managed.

WWT’s Head of Wetland Conservation, Rob Shore, has been hearing reports from WWT’s wetland reserves around the country. He said:

“We haven’t yet had the dreaded hosepipe ban warnings but wildlife is the proverbial canary in the cage. We want government to tackle this problem before it gets out of hand – not just relieving the problem this year but by putting plans in place to prevent this happening again.”

“We have the technical solutions and have identified regulation, from farming subsidies to water company regulation, which could be tweaked to keep more water on the land to help wildlife and farmers. Ultimately it will benefit all of us as consumers.”

One solution being proposed is to create lots of small wetland areas to capture rainwater when it does fall. By slowing the flow of water off the land these allow more water to percolate into soils and aquifers.  The added benefit is that they prevent soil, nutrients and other pollutants from being washed into our rivers, which in turn reduces the costs of water treatment.

Rob Shore continued: “We’re struggling to keep our wetlands wet in winter which is virtually unheard of. The knock on effect will be on the birds breeding in spring, so it is easy to see how quickly this can escalate. What we are proposing are small but sensible changes, which bring very tangible benefits for all of us.”

Despite some recent rain, the majority of river systems in England or Wales are currently flowing at below average levels and many are critically low[ii]. The situation is even worse for our groundwater supplies, which have not been replenished over the autumn and winter.

Rain has generally fallen in short, heavy bursts and run straight off the dry, compacted land and very quickly ended up in the sea. This is already raising the threat of flooding at the same time as drought. Climate change is predicted to bring heavier and less frequent rain making this a more common occurrence.

[i]
Environment Agency weekly water situation report Wednesday 18 – Tuesday 24
January 2012 http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/WE_240112.pdf

[ii]
Environment Agency weekly water situation report Wednesday 18 – Tuesday 24
January 2012 http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/WE_240112.pdf

Rhune (left) and Roscoff arrived late this season. Photo by Colin Butters

A swan couple has surprised staff at a wildlife reserve in Gloucestershire by arriving at their usual winter migration spot weeks late.

Bewick’s swans Roscoff and Rhune were last sighted in March last year in Germany on their spring migration.

When they failed to arrive at Slimbridge Wetland Centre towards the end of last year, experts there thought they probably decided to winter closer to their summer home in Arctic Russia because of the unseasonably mild weather.

Now it seems the recent cold snap persuaded them to complete their migration further west. A further eight swans also arrived this week and have been making themselves at home on the icy Rushy Lake.

Julia Newth, said: “The pair are likely to have reached the Netherlands or Germany before stopping early in the mild weather as they found they didn’t need to travel so far for food.

“The unusually harsh weather conditions seen on the continent this week will have pushed them that little bit further and the memory of Slimbridge as a safe place with daily supplies of grain provided will have undoubtedly spurred them on!”

“We first welcomed Roscoff here 10 years ago and she is very regular, normally arriving ahead of Christmas.

“They have had to jostle for territory with the swans that have been here for some weeks but they seem to have settled in well.

“I’m looking forward to pointing her out to visitors when I do the swan bill sketching sessions on Saturday for the Festival of Birds.”

There are now 189 swans on the Rushy Lake at Slimbridge.

This weekend (February 4 and 5) the swans will feature in the programme at a swan bill sketching session and swan focus on the Saturday and during the commentated Wild Bird Feeds happening on both days.
All the events at the Festival are included in the normal cost of admission.

The Bewick’s can be recognised by their unique yellow and black bill patterns. This allows experts at Slimbridge to identify them and record their data.

Crocodile Encounters show - Przemek Piotroski

Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 February
Slither over to WWT London Wetland Centre this half term and enter the fascinating world of reptiles. All weekend there will be snakes, lizards and many more for you to meet up close. Learn more about the reptiles that live at London Wetland Centre – and take part in the Crocodile Encounters show.

Find out more about these scaled-up cousins of the reptiles that live here at London Wetland Centre. Far from being scary monsters these shy animals often hide away so this is a fantastic opportunity for you to see them up close.

And what’s more, the display is indoors so you can enjoy your day out even if it’s raining!

The big stars of the weekend get their own special shows… Snap up the chance to see Crocodile Encounters, where you’ll be able to meet a caiman and a crocodile! Hear about the amazing world of crocodiles, their behaviour, how they’ve evolved and adapted, and why many are now under threat.

WWT London Wetland Centre’s chief ecologist Richard Bullock said: “ London Wetland Centre has a healthy population of lizards, snakes and slow worms but they’re not as easy to spot as many of the birds here. This is a rare chance to see a selection of unusual reptiles close up and to find out more about them from animal experts.”

Throughout half term, we will also be hosting a whole range of reptile related family activities to keep children amused throughout half term. Follow our discovery trail through different types of wetlands or make your own reptile to take home. There will be sssssssnake stories and crafts and, of course, a family favourite pastime at London Wetland Centre – pond dipping.

With a host of fun activities planned and endless opportunities to discover more about the natural world, our award-winning wildlife reserve and visitor centre has something to keep the whole brood entertained.

Mini-beast hunt (pic by the Sunderland Echo)

Go on a mini-beast hunt through Hollowood and learn about the life that lurks in dead trees (every day, 11am-noon and 1-2pm, free with admission) or build a bug hotel, mini garden or bird box and attract local wildlife to your own garden (every day, 1-3pm, small costs apply).

Join our wildlife reserve manager on a guided tour, taking in the sights, sounds and seasonal wildlife on display, and hear more about our ambitious new saline lagoon development, which will connect our site to the River Wear (Saturday 18 February, meet in the picture window at reception at 2pm. No need to book and cost is included in admission).

Plus meet our pink Chilean flamingos, rare Eurasian cranes and Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa, whose squeaky cries and cheeky behaviour are on show during daily commentated feeds (11 and and 3pm every day).

Snowdrops

The mild January conditions have awakened our beautiful flora early this year, with snowdrops in full bloom, bluebells emerging in Spring Gill wood and hazel catkins growing well. Look closely at the female plant and you may even spot the tiny attractive red flowers near the catkins themselves.

The relatively warm weather has also triggered something in our wildlife.

Great-spotted woodpeckers have been heard drumming as part of early courtship, a pair of kestrels has been displaying above the river and the grey heron colony is in full territorial display at the heron hedge (watch them live on CCTV from the café!). Great tit and blue tit also have been territory displaying to each other in the woodlands and the first oystercatcher of the year is back on Wader Lake.

Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE.

Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits.

Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world.

Ask a member of staff or visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details.

For more information about WWT Washington, please visit our web pages, email info.washington@wwt.org.uk or call 0191 416 5454. Follow us on Twitter @WWTWashington.

Walk in the (snow)shoes of Antarctic explorers, past and present, during Exploration & Discovery Week this February half term.

To celebrate the centenary of the Scott Antarctic expedition, WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is taking families back in time to become an explorer and make the perilous journey to the South Pole. The ‘Great Scott Trail’ through the wetland reserve leads families through a series of Antarctic adventures to see how they would fare on a Antarctic trek.

Robert Fa­­­lcon Scott was a naval officer and explorer who lead a team attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole in 1912. “Make the boy interested in natural history if you can” Scott wrote in one of his last letters – referring to his son, Peter. Sir Peter Scott went on to the found of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.  Families begin the Great Scott Trail by creating their own flag before choosing what supplies they wish to take with them on their journey through the grounds. At the trails’ end they can plant their flag for a family photo opportunity.

Complementing the trail is the ‘On Thin Ice exhibit’ inside the visitors centre that details the history of polar exploration.  A ‘Base Camp: Past and Present’ exhibit will be open each afternoon in the Outlook In building from 2-4 pm each day. A tent and sled from the British Antarctic Survey is included in the display. “Children love the idea of explorers” says Claire Drew , Arundel Wetland Centre Learning manager, “The Scott expedition faced many hazards to collect research. Modern Antarctic scientists do the same in isolated and harsh conditions.” Part of the rich legacy of the Scott expedition includes Edward Wilson’s Antarctic Notebooks, a collection of the naturalist‘s sketches and paintings which was published last year.

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Other half term activities include a geo-cache discovery trail that allows visitors to use the GPS (Global Positioning System) application on their mobile phones. The historical caches they find hidden around the reserve reveal the rich history of the area. Those without GPS can follow the letters and numbers on our map to locate the caches. Children’s crafts will be held in the Swan Lake room daily from 1-3pm.

WWT’s 2011-2012 Photography Competition, currently in its Winter Heat, is also held in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary, see www.wwt.org.uk/photo for details on how to enter.

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is open every day from 9.30am to 4:30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A27, it is signposted from the town of Arundel.  The Centre is also accessible by train from Arundel Rail station, a short walk from the town of Arundel.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/arundel to find out what’s on all year round at Arundel and the other eight WWT centres.

Winter brings such a lot of activity to the reserve at WWT Welney and can provide some spectacular conditions for photography on those cold but sunny winter days.  Frozen water in the fens can produce serene views and unusual antics such as swans gliding down to land on unfamiliar textures and ducks skidding after grain at the feeds.

Our autumn heat winners had all been announced except the people’s choice category for which voting ran until 31 December 2011.  The photograph which captured people’s imaginations the most was a black and white image called ‘the witches’ corner’ by Hayley Wincott, winner also of the people and wildlife category in the same heat.  Her image of fungi at WWT Welney captured in a unique way managed to attract 294 votes to beat the competition.  All the regional winners for each of the four seasonal heats will go through to the national finals to be held in autumn 2012.

Whilst photographs entered into all the other categories much have been taken at one
of WWT’s nine wetland wildlife centres across the UK,  the World Wetlands category invites entries taken of wetlands large or small, good or bad, from all over the world. These can range from rivers in Rwanda, lakes in Lagos to creeks in Colorado, or even one of the most extreme wetlands in the world, Antarctica. A shortlist will be chosen from this category for each seasonal heat to go on to the national finals.

Finally, to be in with the chance of winning the grand prize of the trip to Antarctica,
entrants must submit at least three or more photographs in at least two or more
seasonal heats. If this criteria is met, the entrant’s ‘portfolio’ will be automatically entered into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category. At the national finals, each portfolio photographer’s three best photographs (as shortlisted by the judges) will be considered with the winner receiving the Portfolio Photographer of the Year Award and the grand prize of a 12-day fully inclusive trip to Antarctica, courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions.

The competition is being held in association with Canon, in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary, and offers an amazing £50,000 worth of fantastic prizes for the national winners, including a grand prize for the Portfolio Photographer category of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions.  Visit www.wwt.org.uk/photo for full details.
For more information, or to enter the competition, visit www.wwt.org.uk/photo. For more information on WWT Welney and the centre’s events visit www.wwt.org.uk/welney.

Black-necked Swan by Graham Maples

In February our hearts and minds turn to gifts to express our love. Will it be flowers, perfume, or chocolates? Why not take your partner on a romantic boat ride for two, surrounded by the sights of nature? Visit WWT Arundel Wetland Centre from Feb 1-14 and enter the “I LOVE Arundel Wetland Centre” contest to win an exclusive Wetlands Discovery Boat Safari for two, lunch with wine and a goody bag. Write down, in 50 words or less what you love about your wetlands centre to win.

There are plenty of lovebirds to see in February at Arundel Wetlands Centre. It is breeding season for the 5 pairs of rare nene geese on the reserve. “The nene goslings begin hatching in February,” says centre manager Olivia Iles, “Nothing warms the heart more than the sight of these fluffy grey babies.”

 Fingers are crossed for a new swan couple on the reserve this February. A male black-necked swan was brought to the reserve last autumn as a partner for a female already in the collection. The swans were given their own pond to get to know each other slowly, without distractions from other wildfowl. “The signs are good that they have bonded,” says reserve warden Paul Stevens, “They swim close together a lot and he is very protective of her.”  Black-necked swans nest build and breed in February with the cygnets hatching in March or April.

Other natural ideas for you and your lovebird on the reserve this February include:

• Take a Walk on the Wild Side – Take a walk through the beautiful SSSI reedbed boardwalk and maybe steal a kiss at the secluded Sussex Screen. Enjoy quality time with your partner, whilst saving wetlands – the most rapidly declining ecosystem in the world.
• Learn quirky love facts: Pick up one of the lover’s walk leaflets for a mass of fun facts revolving around courtship and mating rituals of wetland plants and animals. Who’s the lustiest British bird? The noisiest? – Also pheromones, boxing hares, snails and love darts.
• Visit the gift shop for ideas for your nature lover – anything from bird adoption, art, bird-box love nests, clothing and keepsakes.

The “I Love Arundel Wetland Centre” contest begins Feb 1 and closes on Valentine’s Day. The winner can redeem their romantic date prize from Feb 20 through March 30, 2012.

This morning felt, looked and sounded like spring at WWT Washington.

And the sunny, relatively warm start to the day must have trigged something in our wildlife!

Common lizard eating a spider - Saut Hutabarat

Saut Hutabarat has won a WWT Photography competition People’s Choice prize with this striking photo of a hungry lizard.

Visitors to the WWT photography competition website voted this image as the winner for the autumn heat of the contest in the London region. The photo, taken at WWT London Wetland Centre, shows a common lizard which has just caught a large spider.

WWT London Wetland Centre’s Chief Ecologist Richard Bullock said
“Although common lizards are a regular sight at London Wetland Centre, basking on logs and wooden bridges, it is more unusual to spot them hunting in the undergrowth. Saut has not only found a hunting lizard but managed to capture it beautifully on film: it looks like a ferocious jungle predator secretly observed at a kill. To a small beetle or spider in the undergrowth, that’s exactly what it is.”

Saut Hutabarat said
“I am absolutely delighted that my photo was voted the best in the London region. I always enjoy visiting London Wetland Centre as it is a perfect place for wildlife photography: there’s always something new to see as the seasons change.”

The competition’s autumn heat received an influx of over 2,500 online entries and a staggering 12,800 votes in the People’s Choice category. Autumn heat winners representing each of WWT’s nine wetland centres were chosen from each of the main categories – Wetland Wildlife, Wetland Landscapes, Wildlife & People and Junior Photographer of the Year (under 18s). WWT is calling on all nature lovers and photographers to submit their most prized pictures before 29 February 2012 when the winter heat will close. All the regional winners for each of the four seasonal heats will go through to the national finals to be held in Autumn 2012.

London Wetland Centre is a favourite spot for photographers who enjoy capturing images of its beautiful lakes, reedbeds, gardens and marshes as they change through the seasons. They also benefit from close access to wildlife, such as the variety of birds, and the thriving populations of water voles and lizards.

To be in with the chance of winning the grand prize of the trip to Antarctica, entrants must submit at least three or more photographs in at least two or more seasonal heats. If this criteria is met, the entrant’s ‘portfolio’ will be automatically entered into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category. At the national finals, each portfolio photographer’s three best photographs (as shortlisted by the judges) will be considered with the winner receiving the Portfolio Photographer of the Year Award and the grand prize of a 12-day fully inclusive trip to Antarctica, courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions.

The competition is being held in association with Canon, in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary, and offers an amazing £50,000 worth of fantastic prizes for the national winners, including a grand prize for the Portfolio Photographer category of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions.

For more information, or to enter the competition, visit www.wwt.org.uk/photo

After 35 years moving from place to place, the couple recently returned ‘home’ to the North East, settling in Shilbottle, Northumberland. Their children Andrew and Michelle still live in Essex and London.

Irene said: “Bob changed careers when we moved back to Northumberland and after completing two picture framing courses he now has his own picture framing business – a great bonus to someone who paints, as he mounts and frames all my pictures!

“I paint mostly birds, animals, flowers and portraits but particularly like wild animals and birds of prey.

Irene accepts commissions for pet portraits and is available for demonstrations or workshops at art clubs and other groups using pastels.

For more information, please visit www.irenehilsdonart.co.uk, email auntie.i@btopenworld.com or call 01665 575997 / 07792 013167.

Wildlife reserve manager John Gowland said: “As I checked the water flow at the filter reedbeds, I was privileged with great views of a male merlin sitting on one of the new fence posts between the reedbed habitat and White Meadow. The bird then flew off into the woodland behind the flamingo pen. Around the same time, a flock of approximately 30 siskin could be seen in Hollowood.

The recent cold snap froze the muddy habitat solid, perfect conditions for the diggers to make good headway carving out the shape of the lagoon; giving it depth and width.

The river reedbed shelter has been demolished, along with some of the paths, and the materials have been stockpiled ready to re-use later in the project.

Along the river path, the raised bank has been removed and leveled and the spoil placed at the North East corner of the site.

Next up will be the removal of the old fence and the breaching of the river bank, opening up the newly-created lagoon to the waters of the River Wear.

Exciting stuff!…

Getting the diggers on site was no mean feat…

…and even required the strategic removal of some fencing!

The excavation begins. White Meadow (to the top right of the shot) will remain unchanged, but the bottom half of the site will soon be dramatically altered.

View from the reedbed end of the lagoon. The picnic shelter has been demolished and the materials are to be recycled, but the reedbed - an important habitat that is in decline - remains. Fresh water from this reedbed will be used to top up the lagoon and balance the salinity levels if needed.

Black-headed gulls feast on the freshly-disturbed earthworms and invertebrates. The fence running along the river bank (look hard - it's there!) is to be removed and the bank breached, connecting us to the River Wear.

Many Whooper swans had remained in Scotland due to the unseasonal weather but the recent cold snap has encouraged them to undertake the last leg of their migration to Martin Mere.

The swans spend the winter at Martin Mere and will begin their migration back to Iceland in March, where they will spend the summer.

The swans are fed everyday at 3pm and 3.30pm in an award winning swan spectacular event that allows visitors to view the amazing sight and hear the enchanting noise of 1900 swans feeding on the mere.

Photograph credit: Martin Birchall (www.martinbirchallphotography.com)

WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.00pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.  The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.

Simon King

Simon King will be among the visitors flocking to WWT Slimbridge for its Festival of Birds on February 4 and 5.

The wildlife TV star will be re-opening the newly renovated Zeiss Hide and a new otter holt on the Saturday.

He will then spend time with visitors pointing out the best wildlife sights which can be seen from the hide overlooking Slimbridge’s internationally renowned wetland reserve.

In the afternoon in our cinema there will be a question and answer session with Simon.

On Sunday it will be the turn of the Urban Birder David Lindo to take questions from the audience after he gives a talk on birdwatching in cities. Afterwards he will be signing copies of his book.

David Lindo

The event-packed weekend will also include a range of conservation talks by WWT experts, bird catching and ringing demonstrations, swan sketching, wild bird feeds  and a birdwatching challenge for nature fans.

Young nature fans will learn all about migration in a fun interactive game and can take part in a kid’s decoy in which they are caught and ringed just like a bird.

There will be stands selling all manner of wildlife goodies including artwork and books, bird feed, wildlife watching trips, optics and outdoor clothing.

Veronica Chrisp, general manager, said: “We are delighted that Simon King and David Lindo are supporting our Festival of Birds. Our visitors are bound to have loads of questions to put to both of them.”

“Both days of the Festival are packed with great events and activities which will suit a range of ages.”

Admission to the centre is free for members or normal admission charges apply.

In the run up to the Festival Friday 3 February, another wildlife celebrity will be at the Centre.

Mark Carwardine

Conservationist Mark Carwardine, who starred in the TV series Last Chance to See with Stephen Fry, will be doing an evening talk in the cinema on his favourite places to see wildlife in the world.

His talk Ultimate Wildlife Experiences is based on his new book of the same name.

The book will be for sale after the event and Mark will be signing copies.

To book tickets costing £15 (includes a drink) or find out more call 01453 891223.

Here are a couple of snaps taken by staff – one of our red-breasted geese (the smallest geese in the world and the most threatened in Europe) looking beautiful in the frosty morning light and another of a magnificent sunset over Wader Lake, with a curlew flock settling down to roost for the evening.

If you have some similar wintry shots taken at WWT Washington, don’t miss your chance to win one of many fantastic prizes by entering the winter heat of the WWT Photography Competition http://photo.wwt.org.uk

Taking place over 12 months, with four seasonal heats, we’ll be looking for the best photos representing that season.

At the end of each heat, winners from each of WWT’s nine wetland centres – including WWT Washington – will be chosen from each category.

When the competition closes on 31 August 2012, all regional heat winners will go through to the grand national final to be held in the autumn; with an overall Portfolio Photographer being awarded the grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.

The winter heat closes on Wednesday 29 February 2012. Happy snapping!

Flowering hawthorn

You can read the weekly column by Paul Stevens, the Grounds Manager for WWT Arundel Wetland Centre each Thursday in the Chichester Observer, Bognor Regis Observer and Littlehampton Gazette.

The air is alive with birdsong. Great tits, song thrush and robins sing for territory. The willow in front of the wetland centre sports catkins, leaves are sprouting on the sallow and a hawthorn tree has started to flower. .. But wait a minute – its midwinter not springtime! Catkins ought to emerge in February, sallow leaves should sprout in April and hawthorn is called mayflower because that is when it should bloom!

The mild winter weather causing these unbalances in nature is predicted to end with colder temperatures and north easterly winds arriving on Friday. Cold weather now could drastically affect the plants and animals lulled into their early spring behaviours. Plants that are budding now could be caught out by a hard frost that will damage flower and fruit production. This has a knock on effect to insects, birds and other wildlife that depend on the plants for food. Birds breeding now risking chilling their eggs or have their young chicks hatching out before their food sources are available.

On the other hand if the weather doesn’t get cold enough some pest species, like aphids, may survive a milder winter in larger numbers. A sap-sucking aphid infestation could cause damage to the flora on the reserve but would be a boon for the aphid eating ladybird and hoverfly populations.

Preening coots

Warm weather that prompts shrubs into early bloom would also prompt butterfly eggs to hatch early. Blue tits try to co-ordinate the hatching of their young to coincide with the peak population of caterpillars, which are the main food source for the chicks. If these events don’t align, blue tit chicks could starve.

If birds like lapwing breed too early our reserve wardens are unable to manage their wet grassland habitat. Once the birds are nesting we cannot risk disturbing them to cut the grasses and sedge, but lapwing, redshank and oystercatchers prefer to build their shallow nests amongst shorter vegetation so they can keep an eye on predators.

As I approach the Lapwing hide I am frozen in my tracks by the sight of a gorgeous bullfinch perched on the edge of the hedgerow in full view.  Sadly I realize I don’t have the long lens attached to my camera.  At the hide I notice that many feathers are dotting the wet grassland outside.  Through the binoculars I see that all the feathers are white! Have Bewick’s swans been roosting here overnight? Watch this space.

I hear a nuthatch calling, another song thrush and the crow of a pheasant.  Again I am amazed at how today holds all the sights and sounds of spring in January.

On my way to the Ramsar hide I watch a kingfisher hover in the air over the waters of Wetland Discovery.  From the hide windows I see gadwall on the far island and lapwing near the Sand Martin hide. I head over for a closer look. On the front of the Sand Martin Hide a great tit has been roosting in one of the fake nesting holes that decorate the hide! I count five lapwing sprinkled among the islands on the waters outside the hide.

Visitors have been recording many sightings of kingfishers here on the Wildlife Sighting sheets clipboard. In front of the hide a pair of coots engages in mutual preening – mating behaviour normally reserved for spring.

I pause at the entrance of the Scrape hide to watch a little robin sitting on the ledge inside the building, framed by the hide window. After posing for a few snaps, the robin flies off through the doorway behind me, directly past my ear.

mmm tasty by Paul Warwick

Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Centre, WWT, located in Comber, County
Down, has named the four regional winners in the autumn heat of its nationwide
photography competition. From the abstract to the arty; keen photographers in and around County Down were invited to submit entries for four photography categories in the first seasonal heat of its national competition; WWT Photography Competition (2011 -2012), in association with Canon.

• Richie Lort, who works in IT, aged 39 from North Down, was named winner in the Wetland Wildlife category, with his picture entitled ‘Bottoms Up!!’
• Reverend Colin White, aged 67 from The Four Winds, was named winner in the Wetland Landscapes category, with his picture entitled ‘Castle Espie’.
• Paul Warwick, a self-employed IT consultant, aged 60 from Dromara, was named winner in the Wildlife & People category, with his picture entitled ‘Mmm Tasty!’
• And Paul Pruzina, aged 14 from Grosvenor Grammar School, was named Young Photographer, following his picture submission entitled ‘Mushroom’.

The competition was open to visitors at the nine WWT wetland centres around the UK.  Debbie McCamphill, manager at the local WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, said: “We received over 2,500 submissions across the country, but the quality of the entries from these four fantastic winners caught the judges’ eye and really bought our local WWT wetland centre to life. The competition encourages people to get really close to all the fantastic wildlife we have here at the centre; and these stunning images show off the most elegant and colourful array of birds, insects and other animals seen during the autumn.

The autumn seasonal winners have each won a place on an acclaimed photography course, held by nature photography experts Wild Arena. Each of the winners will also now go through to the national finals to be held in autumn 2012, where £50,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs including wildlife photography and activity holidays. As the winner of the Wetland Wildlife Category, Richie Lort will also be in with the chance to win a three-day bird of prey photography workshop in the Czech Republic if he is voted the national winner. WWT member and regular visitor to Castle Espie, Richie Lort has been a keen photographer for many years.  He described his winning image: “I was very lucky to watch shovelers bobbing up and down in the water and I thought the spectacle would make an unusual photograph that would hopefully stand out from the rest.  On this occasion capturing the image wasn’t very difficult – I just had to act fast.”

Reverend Colin White is an avid photographer who often visits Castle Espie with a friend, and likes to take his grandchildren for a day out.  He explained how he captured his winning image.  “I’ve been to the wetland centre so many times, but on the day that I took my photograph I walked out of the door and it was as though I’d seen this particular view for the first time,” Colin said.  “The lighting was incredible, so I decided to photograph it.  It was very much a spur of the moment shot, rather than a planned shot, but I was very happy with it.”

For Paul Warwick, a trip to Castle Espie is an opportunity to spend time with his family while he also indulges in his hobby of photography.  Paul said: “I regularly visit the wetland centre with my wife and two young sons, and at times I can take up to 100 photographs.  My winning image was taken at the pond area where you can get up close with the geese.  I wanted to take a more natural shot that was quite personal to my family – the geese are a firm favourite with my four year-old son.  My wife and son were feeding grain to the geese, and I captured their hands and the goose’s face.”

This season’s Young Photographer winner, Paul Pruzina, lives quite close to Castle Espie and visits around once a month with his family.  Paul said: “I was interested in photographing the mushroom as it caught my eye and I liked the way it looked.  I took a few shots then placed a mirror underneath it to capture the underside of the mushroom.  It’s the first time I’ve ever entered a photography competition – it was actually my older Sister’s idea to enter – and I’m now looking at submitting an image for the winter heat.”

The winter heat of the competition is now open and photographers can enter their
prize pictures taken at WWT centres online at wwt.org.uk/photo until 29th February 2012. Entrants are encouraged to enter more than two of the seasonal heats to automatically go into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category and to be in with a chance of winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica, courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions. Debbie McCamphill added: “Our WWT wetland centre isn’t just for budding photographers; it’s for everyone who enjoys nature, wildlife or simply just a great day out.
Castle Espie is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough near Comber, County Down.  It is the newest WWT visitor centre and the Trust’s first in Ireland.  This time of year there is plenty to see and do, with winter heralding the arrival of hundreds of migrant birds, including virtually the world’s entire population of light-bellied brent geese. “Among the many other attractions at the wetland centre is the Graffan Gallery which runs free exhibitions throughout the year in Ireland’s only environmentally-led space.  The current exhibition, which runs to the end of January 2012, features original work from patchworkers, Loose Thread Quilters

Follow  Castle Espie on facebook and twitter

From tomorrow (Friday) the mild wet weather which has dominated our winter so far is set to end. Instead it will be replaced by colder, dryer days and prolonged easterly winds creating the perfect conditions for migration. On reserves such as the one at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre the unusual weather has led to large flocks of waders choosing to stay in bigger numbers than in the recent colder winters. It has, however, also led to slightly lower numbers of swans, geese and ducks, which have so far managed to remain further north thanks to the mild weather conditions throughout western Europe.

This late cold snap though is likely to encourage them to complete the last leg of their migration over to the UK.

Dave Paynter, reserve manager at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, says it is an exciting time for birdwatchers. He said: “This warmer wetter winter has been really interesting for birdwatching contrasting with the past two winters which have been cold and dry.
“This upcoming cold weather will act as a prompt for birds to move further south and the wind direction will create perfect flying conditions.

“The combination could have quite a dramatic effect on wildlife in the UK. This year we have seen higher numbers of waders enjoying the warm wet weather such as flocks of lapwing, dunlin and golden plover, but have so far failed to see the numbers of geese, ducks and swans we would expect.

“This is because the weather has been so mild that they have stopped early on their migration as it is easier for them to find food further north.”

One bird, which staff at WWT Slimbridge are especially keen to see return is Winterling. If the swan, which would have turned 29 last year, flies onto the reserve she will be the oldest wild swan ever recorded.

Winterling is one of the 300 or so Bewick’s swanswhich fly to spend the winter at Slimbridge each year when conditions in their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra become inhospitable.

Swans by Ian Taylor

Norfolk’s Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Centre, WWT, located in Welney has named the four regional winners in the autumn heat of its nationwide photography competition.

Welney at sunset by Albert Horton

Albert Horton, a retired local Government officer, aged 71, from March in Cambridgeshire, was named winner in the Wetland Landscapes category, with his picture entitled ‘Welney at Sunset’.

Seeking the hide by Hayley Wincott

The competition was open to visitors at the nine WWT wetland centres around the UK.  Julie Ward, Centre manager at local WWT Welney Wetland Centre, said: “We received over 2,500 submissions across the country, but the quality of the entries from these four fantastic winners caught the judges’ eye and really bought our WWT wetland centre to life. The competition encourages people to get really close to all the fantastic wildlife we have here at Welney; and these stunning images show off some of the most elegant and beautiful array of birds and other animals seen within a stunning wetland landscape during the autumn.”

Emotion by Karenanne Millburn

Young Photographer winner, Karenanne Millburn, has won the Young Photographer category for the last three years. She has been a WWT member for about five years and typically visits the centre with her Mum. “I usually take around 300 photographs every time I visit the WWT centre. I am so pleased to have won. My winning shot was taken just as the sunset was falling, the sky was moody but the sun was still trying to peep through. I really enjoy taking photos and have just secured a place at City of Norwich College doing photography A Level.”

UPDATE 20/10/2011 – Millennium Wetlands has opened back up as planned but there will be restricted access to the following areas over the next five to six days:

• The path between water vole city and the bittern reedbed screen will be closed on Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd. Water vole city will remain open, as will all other areas within the Millennium Wetland. The path will open again on Tuesday 24th

• The centre path between the heron wing hide and the lilly pond will be closed on Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th. The path will open again on Friday 27th.

Everything will re-open fully on Friday 27th January

Contractors will be clearing trees to improve the area for birds and water voles. It will be too risky to allow visitors into the area while they are using heavy machinery and moving felled trees.

Clearing the trees opens up clear flight lines between the estuary and the freshwater wetlands. This will enable the rare wetland birds on the estuary to safely roost and breed here. At the same time we are restoring ponds and ditches to encourage water voles back into the area.

We apologise that you won’t be able to access the Millennium Wetlands during this period. If you would like to find out more about the project, you can join one of our guided walks at 12.00pm and 3.00pm daily.

Thank you for your understanding.

The work has been made possible through the generous help of Cwm Environmental.

On the evening of Tuesday 24 January, Arundel Wetland Centre is hosting an indoor talk and outdoor telescope session with Astronomia telescope and binoculars shop of Dorking. This event is part of a series of astronomy activities across the UK in January, encouraged by the BBC Stargazing Live program. “At Arundel Wetland Centre the sky over the south downs has very little light pollution which will make for good viewing through the telescopes,” said Olivia Iles, centre manager, “We are excited to be hosting this event with Astronomia. We have worked with their sister company Viewpoint Optics, who provided the night vision scopes used during our sold out batwalks last year.”

Visitors attending the astronomy evening in January will recieve a Stargazing LIVE Star and Moon Guide created by BBC Learning. This guide is perfect for every beginner, keen to get started on the astronomy basics. The trusty companion guide shows how to observe the sky and spot major craters and the sites of the Apollo Moon landings, keeping the amateur astronomer busy all year round. “We are also providing hot soup during the outside viewing session to help keep everyone feeling warm.” said Claire Drew, Learning Manager at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre.

Last year, up to 40,000 took part in Stargazing astronomy activities in the UK. This year, BBC Learning and the Stargazing LIVE team are hoping even more people get involved, with hundreds of events and Star Parties being organised from Lands End to Aberdeen with the help of partners around the country.

Event Details
Stargazing Evening at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre
Mill Road Arundel, BN18 9PB

Call 01903 881530 to book
Event costs £2 per person
6 pm – 8:30pm

Work is now underway to transform this area into a new saline lagoon

The excavation of WWT Washington’s new saline lagoon has begun!

Designed to improve the biodiversity of the area currently known as Sandpiper Ponds, the development will open up the river bank that currently edges the wildlife reserve and strengthen the connection between our site and the River Wear.

In 2011, essential species surveys were carried out, tree felling along the river path took place, the existing fence line was repositioned to the top of White Meadow and now the landscaping of the lagoon itself is underway.

Once complete, the lagoon will allow tidal water from the River Wear to flood onto our site through a controlled sluice; typically two or three times a month during spring tide.

Even when the tide is low however, the land will still retain pools of water and this brackish habitat will provide the perfect salinity levels for a unique range of wetland species.

The spoil from the landscaping – some 100,000 cubic metres or 14,285 Transit van-loads! – will be deposited at either end of the lagoon, raising the area substantially and creating fantastic vistas across the habitat itself and down along the river.

At the top of the meadow, near the new fence line, will be the end of a meandering nature trail, which visitors will wander along from Hawthorn Wood before emerging at the viewing point overlooking the lagoon.

The hedgerows along the trail are to be left partially in-tact, creating a subtle screen that will allow the public to get close to the wildlife on the meadow and the river, but without disturbing it.

This project will allow us to develop fish populations within the lagoon, which will in turn attract species to feed on them, including cormorant, kingfisher, grebe, goosander and otter.

In fact, as we already know that we have breeding otter living on the river, there is a strong possibility visitors will be able to sit at one of the newly-created vantage points and actually see a family of otters playing in the water below!

Please note that until further notice, there will be no public access to the river from Hawthorn Wood hide path.

Instead, visitors are kindly asked to retrace their steps back through Hollowood and down past the Asian short-clawed otter enclosure, if they wish to go along the river.

Mark Carwardine, wildlife photographer, writer and presenter.

The award-winning writer and TV and radio presenter has offered to do the fundraising talk on Friday, February 3, to kickstart the Slimbridge Festival of Birds on the weekend of the 4th and 5th.

His talk Ultimate Wildlife Experiences will be based around the content of his newest book of the same name.

Mark will describe his wildlife watching highlights including jaguar watching in the Pantanal, bat watching in Zambia and searching for spirit bears in the Great Bear rainforest.

Mark with Stephen Fry during the filming of Last Chance to See

Sally Munro, marketing manager at the Centre in Gloucestershire, said: “Mark has been to more wildlife destinations than almost anyone else on Earth, so who better to describe the best places to go?”

“His adventures over the past 30 years are extraordinary; with his with self-deprecating humour and well-developed sense of the ridiculous, this will be a highly entertaining evening.”

The event, which will start at 7pm, will include a drinks interval.

The audience will also be able to purchase copies of the book (which is not available in the shops until the spring) and can have them signed by Mark following his talk.

Tickets for the event, which include a free drink, must be booked in advance on 01453 891223 and cost £10 for children and £15 for adults.

The birds’ behaviour seems to vary according to the weather. Wind and rain send the birds in fast down into the reedbeds where they will spend the night. Lighter, stiller evenings are more likely to see the twisting and turning cloud of birds which has so amazed those watching.

Another source of interest for visitors has been the attendant sparrowhawks who have seized the chance of a quick starling or two before bed.

Please contact the centre for the latest news on the starlings.

From the abstract to the arty; keen photographers in and around Lancashire were invited to submit entries for four photography categories in the first seasonal heat of its national competition; WWT Photography Competition (2011 – 2012).

Paul Jarvis, a retail professional, aged 34, from Rufford, was named winner in the Wetland Wildlife category, with his picture entitled ‘Solitary Pink’.

Caroline Brookes-Leyland, aged 51, from Liverpool, was named winner in the Wetland Landscapes category, with her picture entitled ‘Flock’.

Debbie Measor was named winner in the Wildlife & People category, with her picture entitled ‘In Your Face’.

And, Ellie Brown, aged 13, from Burtonwood, and a student at Hope Academy School in Newton-le-Willows, was named Young Photographer, following her picture submission entitled ‘Whooper Swan’.

The competition was open to visitors at the nine WWT wetland centres around the UK. Andy Wooldridge, manager at WWT Martin Mere Centre, said: “We received over 2,500 submissions across the country, but the quality of the entries from these four fantastic winners caught the judges’ eye and really bought our local WWT centre to life.

“The competition encourages people to get really close to all the fantastic wildlife we have here at the centre; and these stunning images show off some of the most elegant and colourful array of birds, insects and other animals seen during the autumn.”

The autumn seasonal winners have each won a place on an acclaimed photography course, held by nature photography experts Wild Arena.

Each of the winners will also now go through to the national finals to be held in autumn 2012, where £50,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs including wildlife photography and activity holidays.

As the winner of the Wetland Wildlife Category, Paul Jarvis will also be in with the chance to win a three-day bird of prey photography workshop in the Czech Republic if he is voted the national winner.

Having been a member of the WWT for eight years, Paul Jarvis visits Martin Mere every other weekend, or even twice a week when the weather is good. Describing the moment he took the winning photo, Paul said, “It was quite easy to capture as the geese flew past quite close and the mere formed the setting of a beautiful background. I like pictures with some habitat in the background, as it shows how the subject behaves in its natural environment.”

Caroline Brookes-Leyland took up photography a couple of years ago, with birds being her particular photographic passion. More recently, she has developed a keen interest in photographing landscapes too. “I had spent the day at Martin Mere for the Swan Spectacular, but it was a few hours later when the sun was setting that I took the winning shot,” explained Caroline. “The composition was mostly down to luck. I was just clicking away at the landscape with the swans in the foreground, then all of a sudden the geese appeared and then a flock of birds in the distance.”

Winner of the Young Photographer category, Ellie Brown found her love of photography after playing around with her aunt’s professional camera equipment a couple of years ago. Now, equipped with her own camera, Ellie visits the centre every school holiday and takes over 200 photographs a time. Explaining what influenced her to enter, Ellie explains, “My mum saw the competition and encouraged me to take part. When I found out that I had won I was stunned.”

The winter heat of the competition is now open and photographers can enter their prize pictures taken at WWT centres online via the website until 29th February 2012. Entrants are encouraged to enter more than two of the seasonal heats to automatically go into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category and to be in with a chance of winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.

Andy Wooldridge added: “Our WWT wetland centre isn’t just for budding photographers; it’s for everyone who enjoys nature, wildlife or simply just a great day out.  Winter is a truly spectacular time at Martin Mere and the festive period is an excellent time to visit.

“Whether you want to enjoy the displays of feather and flight provided by the huge migrant flocks of pink-footed geese and whooper swans, or you want to get up close to the wildlife at the beaver lodge or otter enclosure; there is something for everyone at the WWT Martin Mere centre.”

'Here Comes Santa' Prize winners

Castle Espie were delighted to announce the ‘Here comes Santa Event’ prize winner’ who was Michelle Flanagan from Cloughey.  Michelle and her two sons Daniel and Matthew arrived down at Castle Espie to collect a massive teddy kindly donated by Wesley Jamison who is a volunteer at the centre.   

Michelle Flannigan commented, “We had a great day out and the kids really enjoyed the storytelling and toasting marshmallows in the Crannog on the reserve.  The event was well organised and we look forward to coming back to Castle Espie for other events in the New Year.” Maeve Curran, Marketing and Communications Manager at Castle Espie commented, “The atmosphere was fantastic over the weekend and it was great to see so many families enjoying the festive season with our staff and volunteers at Castle Espie.” 

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open Monday – Friday 10.00am- 4.00pm and stays open to 4.30 pm at weekends.  The Centre is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information on events, news and sightings on the reserve visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie  and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sleeping ducks by Mandy Byatt

WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s waterbird collection has been given a New Year boost by the arrival of some exotic new species.

Colourful paradise shelduck from New Zealand, Northern pintails with distinctive pointy tail feathers and tree-nesting Australian wood ducks are among the latest additions, brought in from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s (WWT’s) headquarters at WWT Slimbridge, in Gloucester.

The newcomers join the hundreds of other endangered waterbirds – some 50-plus individual species in total – already looked after by staff at the award-winning North East conservation site.

Marketing manager Leanne McCormella said: “Winter is a wonderful time to see our rare waterbirds, with many in striking breeding plumage as they pair up ahead of the coming spring.  Visitors can get up close to exotic and endangered species from across the planet and even feed them corn by hand in our Close Encounters feeding area.”

Barrow's goldeneye

The wardens at WWT Washington’s Waterfowl Nursery are now busy preparing for the start of the breeding season – even though it’s barely January!

In 2011, the centre’s experts hatched and reared 185 rare and endangered waterbirds and are hoping that 2012 will prove even more successful.  Because the birds are non-native, the season begins with Hawaiian geese (or nenes, pronounced ‘naynays’) nesting in February and typically ends with species such as red-billed whistling ducks hatching in October and even black-necked swan cygnets in December.

Among last year’s hatchlings was the world’s only known carnivorous duck – the South Georgian pintail – which was shown on BBC 1’s Frozen Planet, feeding hungrily on a leopard seal carcass.

There were also three species firsts for WWT Washington’s conservation breeding programme – buffleheads, Barrow’s goldeneye and Northern shoveler – as well as a male coscorba swan cygnet, born to Mrs Coscoroba, a long-time singleton swan who found love again on a Valentine’s Day date with a new mate.

New Zealand shelducks by Michael Hamilton

Some of those young have now made the journey to one of WWT’s eight other UK wetland centres and in return, WWT Washington has received six pairs of European goldeneye, four Australian wood ducks (or maned geese), a number of Northern pintail and Northern shoveler and a pair of noisy New Zealand shelduck, also known as paradise shelduck.

WWT’s staff are global experts in breeding and rearing rare birds and, in some cases, establishing a captive population for eventual reintroduction to the wild.

The charity’s current missions are helping to save the spoon-billed sandpiper and the Madagascar pochard, both of which face extinction. WWT Washington’s captive animal manager Owen Joiner was directly involved in the Madagascan project, which saw him hand-rearing the rare ducklings in a hotel room during Christmas 2009; while Boldon-born Nigel Jarrett, WWT’s head of conservation breeding and a former WWT Washington volunteer, has played a lead role in both projects.

WWT Washington Wetland Centre is the perfect place to spend a winter’s day outdoors and by visiting us you are directly supporting WWT’s conservation work, both here in the UK and internationally.

Winter wildlife highlights include flocks of colourful woodland birds, pink Chilean flamingos, cheeky Asian short-clawed otters and hundreds of curlew dropping in to roost on Wader Lake at dusk.

Waterside Café serves up warming, home-cooked food every day and and our magnificent Eurasian cranes can be spotted dancing in front of the large windows, as you relax and enjoy the view.

Plus there are picnic spots for more hardy types, a play area, a sculpture trail and excellent disabled access with free wheelchair hire (including mobility scooters, weather conditions permitting).

And to make your money go further, if you’ve enjoyed your day and become a member of WWT, not only do you get your entrance fee refunded off the cost, but you get FREE entry to all nine WWT centres for a full year!

For full details of activities, events and wildlife sightings throughout the winter months, as well as admission prices and opening times, view our events calendar, email info.washington@wwt.org.uk or call 0191 416 5454.  Follow us on Twitter @WWTWashington.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/12/21/boldon-expert-s-mission-to-save-endangered-birds-61634-29988692/

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/birdman_nigel_flies_to_russia_to_save_rare_species_1_4085039

“The number of starlings arriving is growing every week” said Paul Stevens, Arundel Wetland Centre warden. “During our last recorded large murmurations in 2008 the flocks build up over the winter to reach over 6,000 by February. In the late 1980’s numbers over 20,000 starlings were a regular occurrence on a winter day.”

This winter the starlings have begun gathering each day from 3:20pm onwards, depending on the weather conditions. Currently there are 2,000-4,000 birds daily. Starling numbers should build until a peak in late February or early March. The reed bed stores heat and provides shelter to help the birds survive in winter. The ongoing clearance of willow scrub this year has further opened up the SSSI reed beds at Arundel Wetland Centre. This gives sparrow hawks and other predators less places to perch to hunt the starlings. 

The best place to watch the daily murmuration spectacle is from the wooden walkway at the refurbished Reedswamp exhibit in the reserve. The best place to hear them is to stroll along the reed bed boardwalk shortly after the starlings land. The chatter of thousands of starlings is amazing in itself!

Watch video of the murmuration and landing online on Facebook page WWT Arundel Wetland Centre or on WWTconservation1 channel on YouTube.

Video: 2,000 starlings land in WWT Arundel reedbed

Every evening birds, estimated on some occasions as up to 100,000, have flown in from fields around where they’ve been feeding to spend the night in the safety of the Bittern reed bed.

The behaviour has changed a little recently and visitors who watched on Saturday (17 December) reported them flying in – still in very considerable numbers but without quite such a dramatic aerial display.

They were treated to a great view of the birds dropping in like thousands of tiny black stones into their roosts and then, only a few metres away from the onlookers, chattering away contentedly.

The murmuration continues. Contact the centre for the latest news.