Blog
The chips are down! Miracle birds hatched from ‘muddy potato’ eggs return thousands of miles to rearing site
Rare black-tailed godwits hand-reared at WWT Welney after their eggs were freed from muddy farmland have flown thousands of miles home for summer.
Water voles vs. rats: how to tell the difference
Have you ever seen a small furry body swimming along, and not been sure if it's a water vole or a rat? This quick guide highlights the key differences between the species.
How different birds build their nests and rear their young
A guide to how the different groups of bird species make their nests in wetlands, what their chicks and eggs look like, and the parenting challenges they face. Each group has different adaptations to give their young the best chance.
The facts about biodiversity loss: 6 key insights from the 2019 UN IPBES report
In a comprehensive and shocking global report, the IPBES have published landmark findings that show biodiversity in wetlands and other habitats around the world is in freefall. We examine what the report tells us, and what can be done.
Slough residents turn animal detectives to save local stream
Local volunteers from Slough have been trained to identify river-residents to monitor pollution in the Salt Hill Stream by WWT experts.
10 ways to add water to your garden that wildlife will love
When it comes to supporting nature, wildlife gardens are a good place to start. By creating ponds and wetland areas in our gardens - no matter how small – you'll attract wildlife like dragonflies, amphibians and birds.
A guide to pond dipping: things to know before you go
Pond dipping is fun, simple and doesn’t cost much. It's no surprise that it’s a popular outdoor learning activity for children, adults and an important conservation surveying method. Our guide will help you explore responsibly.
Our Planet - a wildlife series with a difference?
Biodiversity loss has long been the poor cousin of climate change. Does the launch of Our Planet, a new flagship wildlife series by Netflix, succeed in highlighting the problem?
Ten of our favourite children's books and stories featuring wetlands
Woods feature strongly in stories from our childhood – Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood - yet wetlands and water also play a prominent role in many of our favourite books.
Nature springs into action early as unseasonal temperatures soar
Impatient spring weather has played havoc with the routines of our wetland wildlife. Our wintering visitors have all but left for their breeding grounds and some of our summer residents have already popped up in their place. What is going on?
Dynasties – dominance and drama on the wetlands
Some of our most successful swans belong to large dynasties, powerful families who have been returning to the same lake each year for generations. As space becomes tight, visitors to the centres are likely to witness an argument or two upon the ripples.
Challenging threats to our water quality – and to wetland wildlife
The Water Framework Directive is a piece of legislation that has lead to the Environment Agency improving over 4,500km of water bodies in the last 3 years. Now, that directive is under review - and there's a chance it could be weakened.
The lesser snow goose: seven amazing facts
The lesser snow goose is a fascinating bird. Here are a few reasons why it's so amazing: Breeding grounds in the ArcticBirds migrate to their breeding grounds in the Arctic when snow is still on the ground, and use their body fat to wait for the new grass
Longstanding Martin Mere volunteer gives us a sneak 'beak' into his day
The volunteers are WWT’s wings. Without their 1000 volunteers, the charity’s grand ambitions would never be met. One of their current longest serving volunteers is Dave Walsh, 73. He has been helping out at WWT’s Martin Mere in Lancashire for over
Madagascar pochard: fact file on the world's rarest duck
Everything you need to know about the Madagascar pochard, the world's rarest duck, and how WWT have been working for over a decade to protect it and the precious wetland habitat it needs.