News
How it all began
WWT Martin Mere opened its doors to members in late 1974 and opened to general public on 1 March 1975. Over the last 40 years, we have welcomed over 5.5m visitors as well as over 300,000 school educational visits, but how did the journey of Martin Mere be
6 October 2014
Record breaking 45,800 pink-footed geese arrive at Lancashire reserve
A record number of 45,800 migratory pink-footed geese has arrived at Lancashire’s WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre according to counts earlier today. This beats the previous record number of 36,000 in 2010. Over the next couple of weeks, numbers will st
2 October 2014
Less than a quarter of freshwater wildlife has survived since the 1970s
The Madagascar pochard: the rarest bird in the world Wildlife that relies on freshwater like wetlands has suffered almost twice the loss of land and marine species. Overall, global wildlife populations have halved in
30 September 2014
SuDS, not duds: don’t water down rules on floods
Floods will continue to ruin people’s livelihoods if the Government waters down rules on SuDS. Natural rain absorbing features known as SuDS hit the news earlier this year as one solution to the devastating flooding that hit southern England. On paper t
30 September 2014
Nature's most incredible journeys, right on our doorstep
Nature lovers often say autumn is their favourite season, and it’s no surprise, as the magic of migration is an unforgettable experience. Luckily for some, you don’t have to travel far to see one of the greatest spectacles of the natural world - and
24 September 2014
First 'grand-chick for conservationist
This little fellow is the first ever spoon-billed sandpiper chick to be hatched in the wild by a hand-reared bird. Spoon-billed sandpipers are critically endangered and the news confirms to conservationists that the birds they hand-rear go on to breed nat
24 September 2014
Keep a log of the brown stuff, says WWT!
There could be more pollution and waterborne disease in England’s rivers – and more cost to the taxpayer - because a Government cost-cutting exercise could backfire, says the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. The Government is proposing to ditch many req
18 September 2014
WWT urges manifesto writers to think green
WWT is urging all political parties to take notice of a report published by MPs that says more needs to be done to protect our natural environment for future generations. The report gives the present Government a ‘red card’ for policies that have fail
16 September 2014
See, Hear, Taste, Touch & Smell at Castle Espie’s new Sensory Garden!
Castle Espie’s new sensory garden has been delighting visitors of all ages since it opened last week. The garden and courtyard has been designed to incorporate all senses, and features a herb and fruit garden, a hidden wildlife exhibit and an improved b
15 September 2014
Biggest coastal flood management scheme completed
The UK’s biggest ever coastal realignment scheme at Steart peninsula, a joint project between the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and the Environment Agency has been completed today (Monday, September 8, 2014). The construction of Steart Marshes me
8 September 2014
Dying ducklings of world’s rarest bird need new wetland home
The first ever study of the world’s rarest bird – the Madagascar pochard – has revealed that 96% of its chicks die before fledging. The conclusion is that the last remaining population will never expand without outside help. Just 25 pochards remain
26 August 2014
School for birds’ final class graduates with flying colours
The last ever avian class at a unique school for birds has graduated with flying colours and was yesterday moved to the secret release location in Somerset. The 16 young cranes have just completed 10 weeks of Crane School at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
7 August 2014
Pintail decline rings alarm bells
The pintail could be the latest addition to wildfowl conservation priorities after new figures from WWT and others show numbers have fallen by more than half since 2006. The findings are published in Waterbirds in the UK, the annual report of the Wetland
31 July 2014
Help us break butterfly count record says David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough launched the 2014 Big Butterfly count at WWT’s London Wetland Centre this morning and WWT’s nine Wetland Centres across the UK are inviting you to come along to help count a million butterflies across the country. WWT’s London
18 July 2014
“We’re Going on a Wild Walk” at Martin Mere this summer
Families will be able to have fun squelching, swishing and splashing through a new VIP opening: Hey, wearing a suit doesn't stop you kicking back and enjoying yourself. wetland walk opening today at WWT Martin Mere We
17 July 2014