News
Today's Highlights
Whooper swan - 20 Marsh harrier - 3 Green sandpiper - 1 (Nelson-Lyle hide) Snipe - 6 Curlew - 1 Ruff - 1 Redwing - 5 Chiffchaff - 1 Common darter dragonflies
10 October 2015
The Whoopers Are On Their Way!
The Bewick Swans are making a long and sometimes treacherous journey from Russia across Europe to the Ouse Washes to live for the winter. The mouldy potatoes and left over sugar beat provides lots of food for the wintering swans, and the washes at Welney
10 October 2015
Today's Highlights
Whooper swan - 8 flying Marsh harrier - 3 Common sandpiper - 1 (Nelson-Lyle hide) Snipe Curlew Lapwing Wigeon Teal Gadwall Shoveler The footpaths are pinging with dragonflies, darters are sitting on the paths and any sunny pieces of wood whilst hawkers ar
8 October 2015
Unashamedly passionate about wildlife
In November, BBC's Autumnwatch will be showcasing the wonders of the migration at our very own WWT Caerlaverock in Scotland. In this special guest blog, presenter Chris Packham gets you in the mood for Autumnwatch and speaks out about being ‘unashamedly
7 October 2015
Natural flood defences prove their worth
The British coast’s newest natural flood defences proved their worth as they easily fended off the biggest tides in over a decade. WWT Steart Marshes at high tide this morning. The Bristol Channel is to the left and the
30 September 2015
Fracking - WWT speaks up for wetlands
Canada Geese at Martin Mere - which is once again within range of a proposed fracking licence (c: Inge Bristow/WWT) WWT has sent the Government its views on how the latest round of potential fracking sites should be a
30 September 2015
Goat Moth Caterpillar - A Rare Sight
Goat moth caterpillars spend four years munching on willow; their large pinscers are just the tools they need, so mind your fingers if you go near one! This month the caterpillars are looking for somewhere to pupate over winter. They will then emerge
28 September 2015
Barnacle geese cull - WWT takes action
At least a quarter of Islay's barnies are due to be shot Until recently, a long-running Local Goose Management Scheme on the Hebridean island of Islay was based largely on management payments and goose scaring, with a
24 September 2015
Musk Beetle - A Closer Look
Musk beetles are part of the longhorn group. They are scarce in the UK, but larvae feed and grow inside willow trees, so wetlands like ours are a great place to spot them. Adult beetles are this amazing green-blue metallic colour! https://youtu.be/ec2
23 September 2015
Ruff - The Most Extravagent of Waders
Ruff have extravagant breeding plumages that come in many colour forms. Even at this time of year the plumages can vary and the females are much smaller than the males. Whilst birds are passing through on migration; look out for these waders next time you
15 September 2015
Putting nature at the heart of plans for farming and for water
Farming and nature go hand in hand at WWT Voluntary organisations have come together to produce ambitious visions for England’s farmland and the country’s water. Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) - a coalitio
15 September 2015
Bird News
A flock of about 20 Wigeon which landed on the Mere were new in today, as was a Greenshank seen from the Harrier hide. Marsh Harrier showing frequently, along with Sparrowhawk, a few Common Buzzards, and at least 3 Kestrels. A number of Sand Martins were
11 September 2015
Bird News
A Green Sandpiper was on the newly scraped scrape at the side of the United Utilities hide. Yesterday's Spotted Redshank was still in front of the Harrier hide, and a single Black-tailed Godwit toured the reserve, being seen (along with numbers of Ruff an
10 September 2015
Avocets
Three Avocets were on the reserve all day today. Very restless, and occasionally circling up very high before deciding to stay around a bit longer, they gave the impression of birds that would rather be somewhere else, but couldn't decide which way to go
9 September 2015
Grass Snake - Hiding in the Workshop
Grass snakes are easy to identify with their distictive yellow and black collar. They are the largest UK species of snake but thankfully only eat fish and amphibians. They are very timid but you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one before winte
28 August 2015