News
Exotic spider discovered during WWT species survey as part of Salt Hill Playday
A wasp spider – a species relatively new to the UK – was uncovered during a survey to discover local animals and plants as part of the Salt Hill event. The striking arachnid with yellow and black stripes was first recorded on the island in the 1920
7 August 2018
WWT submits Environment Bill proposals
WWT has urged the Government to give legal backing to its promise to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. Responding to the Government’s consultation on post-Brexit legal protections, we say a new Bill should contain strong
3 August 2018
WWT Snapshot July 2018
Thank you to everyone who has donated, joined, visited, volunteered and supported WWT this year in so many ways. You are supporting huge amounts of conservation work around the world. Here's just a sample of what you've helped to achieve in the last th
2 August 2018
Rare plant with roots in south returns to Arundel after century's absence
A total of 400 triangular club-rushes have been planted over an area of 20 square metres which will be managed by WWT at Arundel Wetland Centre to reverse the hands of time and encourage the shrub to seed.
2 August 2018
Changes to UK farming unlikely to have affected Bewick's swans
Changes to UK farming practices probably didn’t cause a crash in the number of Bewick’s swans, according to new research from WWT. The Bewick’s swan population fell by nearly 40 per cent between 1995 and 2010. The swans feed largely in farmers’
31 July 2018
Think pink! WWT's Paul Rose tells us why his job is flamin-good
Famous for their flamboyancy, few can argue that the flamingo isn’t one of the most fascinating animals on earth. With their hot pink plumage, fabulous dancing skills, upside down beaks and one-legged stance, they make great birds to study. Our very ow
25 July 2018
Chris Packham's Caerlaverock visit unearths unusual discovery
A rare bug - never recorded in Scotland before – was discovered during Chris Packham’s Caerlaverock visit. Two rare saucer bugs, Ilyocoris cimicoides, were spotted by eagle-eyed local expert naturalist, Bob Merritt in a pond on the reserve. Up unti
24 July 2018
Big Butterfly Count
Visitors to WWT wetland centres can help save butterflies by recording how many they see – and help themselves feel good at the same time. You can pick up a Big Butterfly Count 2018 spotter sheet until 12th August, and record how many butterflies you
20 July 2018
Become a Wildlife Ranger this Summer at UK Wetland Centres
Families can join Dusty’s Wildlife Rangers by taking part in exciting new Ranger Camps, picking up their very own free log book and becoming fearless wildlife rangers at seven WWT Wetland Centres this summer holiday. A full day of discovery and adventur
19 July 2018
WWT cautiously welcomes Environment Bill
The Prime Minister has announced England will have an Environment Bill. This is great news. Firstly, well done to all WWT members for your part in securing this. In 2015 you gave us your ideas for a Bill, in 2016 we presented them to Parliament as part of
19 July 2018
Cranes here to stay, new model predicts
The UK’s tallest bird – the common crane – is here to stay and we could have as many as 275 breeding pairs within 50 years, according to the latest population model from scientists at the University of Exeter, WWT and RSPB published in Animal Conser
17 July 2018
Heart to tackle climate change
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre welcomed its local MP for afternoon tea as part of a national climate change awareness campaign. WWT is part of an umbrella group called the Climate Coalition who each year invite MPs to visit local groups to discuss climate
9 July 2018
WWT launches super-sized summer extravaganza!
The sun is shining and our centres are celebrating with an oversized range of fun-packed activities for all the family to enjoy. There’s nothing small about the scale of our summer plans this year with Giant LEGO® Brick Animal Trail heading to Slimbrid
4 July 2018
The UK's lovely lizards
You can find three species of lizard in the wild in the UK. Each is really amazing in its own way. Common lizard Like all reptiles, common lizards lay eggs. But these hatch inside mum’s body so she appears to give birth to live young! Common lizards a
25 June 2018
Mixed Brexit outlook for water, WWT tells MPs
Brexit could be both bad and good for the UK’s natural water resources, WWT has told a Committee of MPs. WWT was giving evidence to a Parliamentary inquiry into regulation of the water industry, as chair and spokesgroup on water policy for a national c
20 June 2018