News

Winter news

Winter news

Welcome to 2024 at Steart Marshes! We have had some exciting developments over the past few weeks with the arrival of long awaited new offices on site. The staff were delighted to see the old portacabins craned out in December and we are now setting up

28 December 2023

Dynasties, divorce, and 10,000 swans – 60 years of WWT’s unique Bill Pattern Study

Dynasties, divorce, and 10,000 swans – 60 years of WWT’s unique Bill Pattern Study

A scientific study into Bewick’s swans, birds which can be identified as individuals through the unique markings on their bills, is celebrating 60 years of drama and discovery this winter.

7 December 2023

A radical rethink on flood protection needed – WWT report

A radical rethink on flood protection needed – WWT report

The recent impacts of storms Babet, Ciaran and Debi have exposed how unprepared the UK is to the growing risk of flooding caused by climate change. Our new report is calling on Government to increase the amount they spend on natural flood prevention.

23 November 2023

Warming climate and storms see Bewick's make latest arrival since 1965

Warming climate and storms see Bewick's make latest arrival since 1965

Today the first of this year’s Bewick’s swans have arrived at WWT Slimbridge, the latest they have arrived since 1965. Experts are linking their delayed arrival to climate change, combined with a mixture of stormy and mild weather in recent weeks.

16 November 2023

A Cob Roundhouse is emerging!

A Cob Roundhouse is emerging!

If you have visited Steart Marshes lately you may have noticed some extra muddy staff and volunteers around the wetland walkway? All in a good cause of course - we are building a cob roundhouse near the kingfisher bridge (the long bridge on the way to Qua

2 November 2023

Wetlands are the way: Our new strategy to 2030

Wetlands are the way: Our new strategy to 2030

Today we have published our strategy to 2030 - "Wetlands are the way" which sets out how we will operate and our priorities for the next seven years, including a new mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power.

12 October 2023

Project Godwit Action Plan sets the priorities for the next decade

Project Godwit Action Plan sets the priorities for the next decade

A new action plan has been published by the RSPB, WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) and Natural England in the final year of their collaboration on Project Godwit, detailing the path to recovery over the next decade for this endangered wading bird.

3 October 2023

 Godwit Futures Project awarded £400,000 to bolster endangered waders

Godwit Futures Project awarded £400,000 to bolster endangered waders

WWT’s Godwit Futures project is among those that have today been awarded a share of an incredible £14.5m from Natural England to revive England's endangered species.

14 September 2023

Flock Together visit WWT Arundel

Flock Together visit WWT Arundel

Birdwatching and nature collective Flock Together visited WWT Arundel Wetland Centre in West Sussex on Sunday 3 September for a field trip which took place under bright blue skies and late summer sunshine.

5 September 2023

Wetlands at risk – Government backslides on promise to protect nature through plans to remove vital anti-pollution law

Wetlands at risk – Government backslides on promise to protect nature through plans to remove vital anti-pollution law

WWT is deeply concerned by this week’s announcement that the government plans to scrap nutrient neutrality legislation designed to protect our most vulnerable rivers, streams and lakes from extra sewage and other pollution from new homes.

1 September 2023

August update

August update

It’s all about the mud at Steart – a rich, carbon-storing habitat for wildlife and a large focus of our work on site! A few weeks ago we had a visit from the Bridgwater Fire Service who carried out a mud rescue exercise on Otterhampton Marsh for thei

24 August 2023

Could specially engineered wetlands help clean up the UK's polluted waterways?

Could specially engineered wetlands help clean up the UK's polluted waterways?

WWT calls for national pilot scheme to be established in the UK by 2025.

3 August 2023

Mini-wetland revolution could help wildlife beat the heat and boost urban biodiversity

Mini-wetland revolution could help wildlife beat the heat and boost urban biodiversity

This summer, we are calling for everyone to build their own tiny ponds, drainpipe wetlands and bog gardens in backyards and on balconies to help nature thrive in soaring temperatures and help reverse the UK’s devastating decline in biodiversity.

11 July 2023

Generation Wild wins top education award

Generation Wild wins top education award

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s nature connection project Generation Wild has won Gold at this year’s BIAZA awards.

10 July 2023

Celebrating Pride month

Celebrating Pride month

A message from Chief Executive, Sarah Fowler on celebrating Pride month at WWT.

28 June 2023