Blog
Which wetland birds migrate to the UK in spring?
Have you ever noticed how many different birds there are in spring? Every year a huge biodiversity of bird life migrates to the UK's wetlands, from water-loving raptors like the osprey to the bird with the longest migration in the world.
3 May 2020
Your window on wetland wildlife - April 2020
Since lockdown began we’ve been working hard to bring nature to you. Our social media channels have been full of the hum and buzz of spring on our reserves. It’s a great way for you at home to feel connected to the wetland nature we're missing.
2 May 2020
Identifying common bird calls at home
Get to know common birdsong this International Dawn Chorus Day
30 April 2020
UK crane population reaches its highest level for over 400 years
Crane numbers are a 400-year high thanks to to a conservation partership between charities.
22 April 2020
Wildlife on Lockdown: keeping WWT nature reserves going
Even though business as usual has ground to a halt, spring wildlife across our sites is in full swing. Emma Hutchins, our Head of Reserves, shares the challenges of continuing under lockdown conditions.
15 April 2020
From egg to chick: how we hatch eggs for our conservation breeding programmes
Despite the current conditions, we still need to look after our endangered birds. Our aviculturists are experts at turning an egg into a fluffy new chick or duck, and they've shared their knowledge of how they hatch eggs for our breeding programmes.
8 April 2020
Build it and they will come - just add water!
A WWT supporter, John, has created a suburban wildlife oasis within his own garden in Gloucestershire. Discover the wonderful features and creatures within the garden, and find inspiration to create your own - by just adding water!
8 April 2020
Wetlands throughout the seasons: spring
Spring arrives with less of a bang, and more of a gradual unfolding of life. From catkins to kingfishers to migratory birds, here's a quick guide as to what you can find in wetlands in spring.
25 March 2020
Endangered wetland species that still need our help
We’re passionate about protecting the wetlands habitats of some the most endangered species on the planet. Discover which species they are and why they seriously need our help.
12 March 2020
Dr Julia Newth talks Greta, why science needs women and why young women need passion and a strong belief to succeed
There are three main things I think a young woman needs to flourish and succeed in a science career: confidence, resilience and a passionate belief in something. And you don't need to be good at science to contribute and make a difference.
6 March 2020
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.
4 March 2020
'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.
11 February 2020
'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.
4 February 2020
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.
2 February 2020
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?
28 January 2020