Blog
If we want to bring back farmland birds, restore a farmland pond, new research shows
Researchers have shown that restored farmland ponds contained twice as many bird species and almost three times as many birds, compared to neighbouring unmanaged and overgrown ponds.
'I would love more people to see the amazing world below the surface of wetlands' - My Wild Life with Dr Hannah Robson
Dr Hannah Robson, WWT's Wetland Science Manager, talks catching ducks in your pants, why she loves invertebrates and studying poo in the name of scientific research.
'I want to make wetlands healthier for people and wildlife' - My Wild Life with Dr Ruth Cromie
Dr Ruth Cromie shares with Waterlife how she finds hope, good health and inspiration in nature and young people, and how WWT is creating ‘nearby nature’ by putting wetlands into the landscape.
Protecting biodiversity at WWT Steart Marshes
Life thrives in wetlands and by creating and managing habitats, we can improve an area's biodiversity. One of our shining examples of how we can do this on a grand scale is the Steart Marshes, a huge salt marsh reserve created in 2014.
Why don’t birds get frozen feet? And other amazing avian adaptations
When you see waterbirds standing around in cold water, or wandering across the ice, you might wonder why they don’t get frostbite in their feet. So how do ducks, geese and swans cope with the cold weather in the winter?
Photography competition 2019 - the winners
The winner, runner ups and commended photos from the 2019 Waterlife photography competition.
How birdwatching helped me through a cancer diagnosis: An interview with Waltraud Englefield
We caught up with Waltraud Englefield, birdwatcher, nature lover and cancer survivor, to find out more about how immersing herself in nature helped her to deal with her news and improved her health and wellbeing.
Nature activities to do with the kids in wetlands
Want to sell the idea of a family walk to the kids? Here are our 10 tips to whip up some enthusiasm!
Why children are spending less time outside - and what we can do about it
According to a 2016 survey, 75% of children in the UK are getting less time outside than prison inmates. WWT's learning manager Mark Stead looks at why this is, and how we can get our children outside.
Bird watching for beginners: advice for a first-time birder
To help you get the most out of your first bird watching experience, we asked Sam Walker, who recently got into birding, what advice he has for newbies.
Q&A with Reserve Manager, Dave Paynter
I’ve worked at Slimbridge for 38 years. Over the last few decades there has been a shift away from focussing on just a couple of species into managing many more, broader species at our reserves. More people are now aware of conservation and the
Which swan's which? How to tell the difference between swan species
Did you know there are 3 species of swan who live in the UK at least some of the year? The UK is home to three types of swan: mute, Bewick’s and whooper. Learn to identify the difference between the migratory swan species.
Which animals hibernate in the UK? And how you can help them
Find out how and why animals hibernate, how hibernation actually works, and which wetland animals use hibernation as a survival technique during winter in the UK.
Not just for birds: wetland mammal stars
As bird-mad as we are at WWT, it’s not all about our feathered friends. Wetlands make the perfect home for a wide range of species including a number of marvellous mammals. Otters, water voles, beavers and bats are all wetland specialists.
Autumn photography tips: how to capture that golden autumn light
Whether it's snapping those tricky starling murmurations or capturing great migrations, autumn in wetlands has a lot to offer photographers. Top wildlife photographer Chris Gomersall shares his essential tips to make the most of autumn.