Blog

Countdown to an eco-friendly Christmas that won't cost the Earth

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Here are some great ideas to make it a wonderful time for both you and wetland nature – by having a creative, fun Christmas while keeping down your water, carbon and plastic footprints. Eco-friendly gift idea

Why do barnacle geese jump off cliffs? | Barnacle goose facts

Barnacle geese create nests on high cliffs to avoid predation, however within a few days of hatching goslings must jump off these cliff faces! Find out more about the amazing barnacle goose and the myths and legends that follow it.

Training the Madagascar pochards

Before they start their new lives on the water, our Madagascar pochards will have to learn how to find food. We want the birds to stay on Lake Sofia. If the ducks stray, no other site in the region will be able to support them, such is the degree to whic

The water of life: how wetland species are affected by water pollution

Since 1970 over 50 per cent of our freshwater and wetland species have declined in numbers. The main reason is because the quality and quantity of water they live in is declining too.

Ducks in transit

The journey between Antsohihy and Lake Sofia – to take Madagascar pochards from the breeding centre to their new home – poses many challenges.

'Intents' conditions! Camping by Lake Sofia

After a 12 hour drive – if they’re lucky – on a bumpy, dusty and muddy road - our team will arrive at Lake Sofia where they will set up camp. As they gear up for the release of the Madagascar pochard, they will share their time between the lakeside

Lake Sofia: The Communities

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The communities that live around Lake Sofia are no different. When our conservationists discovered Lake Sofia in 2011, it was far from the perfect condition. Tens of thousands of people rely on it

The bird that can fly over the Himalayas: the brilliant bar-headed goose

The bar-headed goose (Anser Indicus) appear to be a pretty, mid-sized Asian goose, but beneath the skin this species exhibits some of nature’s most amazing adaptations that allow it to fly over the top of the Himalayan mountains.

Madagascar: Wetlands in Trouble

Madagascar’s jaw-dropping rainforests and cute resident lemurs have been made famous through frequent Hollywood animations and many a natural history programme. The island’s long list of exotic species that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet

Five things to do in wetlands that can improve your wellbeing

We know, because of our research (and because people tell us) that being outside in nature makes you feel good. Here are five of our favourite ways to get more out of being outside in nature.

How nature can benefit your mental health, and why we need it now more than ever

Today, we live in a society where record levels of stress, anxiety and depression are being diagnosed. Mental health awareness is improving, but Mind reports that people are finding it harder to cope with these disorders and so incidents of self-harm and

Curlews in crisis - now one of Britain's most endangered birds

The curlew is now one of Britain’s most endangered birds. we’ve lost half of our breeding birds in the past 20 years, and the trend shows no sign of abating. Author, producer and curlew expert Mary Colwell explores how we’re leading efforts to make

Fish and chips: Eels microchipped to track species on the brink

Wild eels are being microchipped, similar to the way people microchip their pets, in an attempt by conservationists from WWT to better understand their activity. The study at Slimbridge in South Gloucester will allow scientists to monitor how eels are

The Comeback Crane

A total of three young cranes have been raised at a nature reserve in Gloucestershire marking the most successful so year of an ambitious re-introduction project. The youngsters have been practicing flying at WWT Slimbridge where 93 cranes were hand-re

Washington's Gill Pipes shares the weird and wonderful

Centre managers are the guardians of WWT. They keep everyone safe – visitors, staff, volunteers and the animals. The health of our centres massively depends on the juggling abilities of these amazing humans who work hard to keep a visit to WWT reserves