News
Government scores poorly on tackling drought risk
The risk of flooding and water shortage in 2013 has increased because the Government is too slow in changing the way we manage our water, environmental leaders warn. The authors of the ‘Blueprint for Water’ report say that after two dry winters, it to
6 November 2012
David Attenborough's return to Slimbridge
David Attenborough with WWT Chief Exec Martin Spray Half a century ago the BBC ran a live outside broadcast called Guest At Slimbridge. The guest that day, 9 May 1962, was none other than Sir David Attenborough and, o
26 October 2012
Lead shot poisoning - more voices say look for alternatives
Concerns that lead poisoning from gunshot can affect animal and human health have widened, following a scientific paper by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) which suggests a third of waterbirds sampled suffer from lead poisoning through eating lead
23 October 2012
Today's wild bird sightings
Great white egret - seen from the British Steel Hide 5 little egret 18 cormorant 630 black tailed godwit 462 knot 6 snipe 35 dunlin 12 redshank 2 spotted redshank 14 greenshank assorted wildfowl kestrel sparrowhawk buzzard
22 October 2012
NGOs meet with Peter Hain to raise concerns about Severn Barrage
WWT and a group of environmental and angling Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) met today with Peter Hain MP to raise their concerns about the impact of a tidal power barrage which he is championing for the Severn Estuary. The Severn Estuary is one of
17 October 2012
Wild goose census this weekend after surveys hint at sudden population decrease
Survey results recently published by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) reveal that the population of pink-footed geese may have dropped by around 100,000 in just the last two years. The majority of the world’s pink-footed geese winter in the UK, h
11 October 2012
Todays' wild bird sightings
351 knot 21 greenshank 1 spotted redshank 561 blacl tailed godwits 40 lapwing 7 snipe 6 dunlin sparrowhawk buzzard kingfisher 23 wigeon 6 pintail teal shoveler mallard pochard gadwall tufted duck
10 October 2012
Study finds that spent lead gunshot continues to harm and kill British birds despite restrictions
Poisoning affected one-third of waterbirds sampled and killed one in ten of those found dead X-ray of a gizzard containing lead shot. Post-mortem results of thousands of UK waterbirds reveal that poisoning from spent
4 October 2012
WWT photo competition judging begins!
[imagebrowser id=1] WWT Photography Competition 2011/2012 closes to entries and national judging begins WWT's photography competition for 2011/12 has closed to entries after the fourth and final seasonal heat ended on 31 August.
3 October 2012
Wild bird sightings Monday 1 October
748 black tailed godwits 5 bar 270 redshank 107 knot c300 curlew 6 snipe Peregrine Sparrowhawk Buzzard Jay 2 kingfisher 2 black cap
2 October 2012
Russian conservation trials pave way for spoon-billed sandpiper recovery
An Anglo-Russian team has successfully trialled conservation methods that will pave the way for Critically Endangered spoon-billed sandpipers to be reared and released into the wild. For the trials an international field team of ornithologists took eggs f
1 October 2012
Class of 2012 take to the air
Great Crane Project successfully releases 19 cranes in the wild in Somerset Wildlife lovers are celebrating this week following the successful release of 19 cranes on the Somerset Levels and Moors. This is the third such release and the youngsters, brough
26 September 2012
Rare birds arrive before diggers finish creating new Somerset nature reserve
White-rumped Sandpiper (Tim Taylor) A rare white-rumped sandpiper is the latest unexpected arrival on the Steart peninsula, Somerset. It is currently recovering on a flooded field, despite being surrounded by one of t
21 September 2012
Magical animal experiences at WWT Martin Mere
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is flying open it’s doors on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September for the annual wildlife spectacular: Animal Magic. Animal Magic is the centres most popular family event, with over 4000 people attending last year. Hug a
17 September 2012
WWT announces Free School Visits thanks to massive funding response
Some 2.4 million pupils from disadvantaged schools across the UK will now have the opportunity to enjoy a guided learning session at a WWT Wetland Centre on a school trip this year completely free, thanks to a successful Inspiring Generations fundraising
13 September 2012