News
Winter finally begins as WWT Slimbridge sees "swanfall"
Photo by C. Butters Wild Bewicks swans have been arriving in droves since Christmas at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire as cold weather has moved in from Eastern Europe. 81 swans have made the final le
30 December 2014
Swan fall for Christmas!
Photo by C. Butters Freezing temperatures, north-easterly winds and clear skies over Christmas have encouraged hundreds of Bewick’s swans on the continent to continue with their journey and finally reach Britain. Si
30 December 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake/Time - Am/Tide - Mid/High 60% Frozen Black Headed Gull - 42 Teal - 40 Redshank - 21 Lapwing - 2 Jay - 1 Saline Lagoon - 10% Frozen Teal - 5 Curlew - 1 Grey Heron - 1 River Wear Mute Swan - 2 Cormorant - 7 Grey Heron - 2 Reservoir Shelduck - 8
30 December 2014
Latest Sightings
Barnacle Geese Around 3,000 on the reserve from Farmhouse Tower Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 180 Mute Swan 51 Mallard 369 Tufted Duck 46 Wigeon 218 Teal 8 Canada Goose 149 Greylag Goose 1 Shoveler 10 Folly Pond (90% Frozen) GREEN-WINGED TEAL ♂ Teal 168
30 December 2014
Wildlife sightings for 30th December 2014
4 Bittern - reservoir lagoon, N shore main lake 120+ Teal - grazing marsh, reservoir lagoon 10 Water Rail - site count 15 Fieldfare - flew over in various directions 2 Stonechat - grazing marsh 4 Redpoll - South route Additional sightings from y
30 December 2014
Today's sightings
South Lake Female Ferruginous Duck (I did not have long to study it but it appears pure, we have had a couple of very convincing hybrids in the recent past as well as one previous genuine bird in 2002) It was present from 3pm to dusk, was initially sleepi
29 December 2014
Latest Sightings
Barnacle Geese Around 3,000 on the reserve from Farmhouse Tower although fog rolled in and no geese were visible by 12pm Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 215 Mute Swan 50 Mallard 150 Tufted Duck 40 Wigeon 190 Teal 30 Black-tailed Godwit 20 Gadwall 1 Canada Goo
29 December 2014
Wildlife sightings for 29th December 2014
2 Bittern - reservoir lagoon NE corner, main lake N shore 65 Lapwing - main lake 9 Redwing - sheltered lagoon 1 Coal Tit - wildside gates 1 Chiffchaff - wildside 1 Peregrine - over river December bird highlights: Brent Goose, Shelduck, Red-breasted Merga
29 December 2014
Developments to start the next 40 years
A conservation silent auction has begun at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre to raise money for a new Swan Link Discovery hide in 2015. The current swan link hide was built in the 80s and at its time was the longest hide in Europe, allowing over 100 people t
29 December 2014
Conservation exhibition helps fund new hide development at WWT Martin Mere
A conservation silent auction has begun at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre to raise money for a new Swan Link Discovery hide in 2015. The current swan link hide was built in the 80s and at its time was the longest hide in Europe, allowing over 100 people t
29 December 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake/Tide - High/Time - AM 100% Frozen Black Headed Gull - 50 Herring Gull - 1 Wren - 1 Saline Lagoon- 100% frozen Pheasant - 6 Other Birds Tufted Duck - Reservoir - 70 Shelduck - Reservoir - 8 Teal - River Wear - 60 Carrion Crow - Forgotten Meadow
29 December 2014
Swanfall!
After a very slow start to the season we have at last had a good arrival of Bewick’s Swans. We may have missed out on the snowfall up north but we did get a Swanfall overnight, with 50 new birds arriving. It has been a very mild winter so far right acr
28 December 2014
Latest Sightings
Barnacle Geese Around 3,000 on the reserve from Farmhouse Tower Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 140 Mute Swan 50 Mallard 150 Tufted Duck 40 Wigeon 190 Teal 15 Gadwall 1 Greylag Goose 1 Canada Goose 70 Folly Pond GREEN-WINGED TEAL ♂ Teal 100 Wigeon 100 Shove
28 December 2014
Daily Sightings
The reserves looking fantastic this morning, with relatively low water levels drawing in large flocks of ducks around all the hides. No sign of the reported green-winged teal from yesterday yet though but a noticeable increase in goldeneye with up to 10
28 December 2014
Swan fall & more sun!
The Rushy Bewick's Swan 143 Whooper Swan 1 Pintail 200 Pochard 220 The Willow Hide Water Rail 1 Reed Bunting 1 The Zeiss Hide Avocet 1 Black-tailed Godwit 300 Dunlin 200 Lapwing 500 Teal 700 The Holden Tower Marsh Harrier 1 Peregrine 2 Buzzard 5 Golden Pl
28 December 2014