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So why the mud pie?

So why the mud pie?

You might be wondering just why the aviculturists go to so much effort in helping the flamingos prepare their nest sites. Is it simply because a load of animal keepers enjoying throwing mud around?! Well maybe (!) but there is serious reason for the creat

10 June 2012

Half Term Fun!

Half Term Fun!

It has been a busy week with our Downy Duckling Week during half term, although the sunshine hasn’t held out there is still plenty to do and enjoy! I had three days off over the bank holiday and went up to the lakes to get away from it all and relax, go

8 June 2012

Caribbeans get into the swing of things

Caribbeans get into the swing of things

Phil's hard work with the Caribbean flamingo breeding this year has certainly paid dividends all of a sudden. In spite of the recurrence of the rain (a constant theme amongst these diary posts!) the flamingos have settled down to nest, lay eggs and begin

7 June 2012

Promotional Video of Play Area

Promotional Video of Play Area

I have put below a link to a promotional video that was created last Friday from the play area opening.  We have had a great bank holiday weekend with 2,275 visitors on Monday and over a thousand on Tuesday. I am keeping fingers crossed for a dry June. [

6 June 2012

Buzzing bee hives

Buzzing bee hives

You can now see two honey bee hives from the United Utilities Hide.  We have been waiting for some time to get the hives and now they are here I think it will be a fantastic new edition to the nature trail.  We will hopefully be doing summer events for

5 June 2012

Video footage of play area

Video footage of play area

Below is a link to some video footage of Luke Marsden coming to have a go on the play area dressed as a duck.  It is very funny to watch and I am really pleased with how it looks. [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dae_orve8Mc&feature=youtu.

1 June 2012

Sheep shearing for summer

Sheep shearing for summer

Today our sheep had their summer haircut! Before... We keep two breeds of sheep here: Hebridean and grey-faced Dartmoor. They keep the grass from growing too high and their dung attracts insects which in turn feed the

31 May 2012

The opening of the new play area

The opening of the new play area

We are all on course for opening the new play area on Saturday 2 June. It is looking really good and I even got to try out some of the slides and waterplay yesterday. We are doing a promotion with Rock Fm and Luke Marsden will be here today to record some

31 May 2012

Egg number 1.

Egg number 1.

The Caribbean flamingos are sitting on their first egg! Well, currently it's a wooden one, with the actual specimen being tucked away safely in an incubator in the Duckery; away from the prying eyes of hungry sea gulls. The bird currently sitting has the

30 May 2012

Temmincks Stint and honey bees drop in

Temmincks Stint and honey bees drop in

The 2 Temminck's Stint visited us over the weekend, showing well from Ron Barker hide with 11 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin and by late Sunday afternoon the stints were joined by a 3rd Temminck's Stint! I am also pleased to say that we now have honey bees

28 May 2012

How many chicks?

How many chicks?

The greater flamingo colony is as productive as ever, and visitors negotiating around the building work for the new flamingo exhibit in this part of the grounds will be rewarded with the sight of numerous cute, grey bundles scurrying around the feet of pr

27 May 2012

Flamingo podcast

Flamingo podcast

We have recorded a new podcast so that you can hear lots of fun facts and information about flamingos. The link is below - I hope you enjoy listening. http://soundcloud.com/wwtmartinmere-1/sets/flamingos-at-wwt-martin-mere [yframe url='']

27 May 2012

Here come the girls (and boys!).

Here come the girls (and boys!).

A quick update from the gloriously sunny grounds of WWT Slimbridge. The dancing has really taken off in the South American Pen this morning, with all of the Chilean flamingo and all of the Andean flamingos joining in together for some top-class marching

25 May 2012

Finger crossed for the lesser's nest building.

Finger crossed for the lesser's nest building.

Just a quick post to highlight the exciting happens in the world of Slimbridge's lesser flamingos! The sunshine is certainly working its magic at Slimbridge currently. The hard work that Phil has put in with the lesser flamingos has yielded spectacular re

23 May 2012

Spring might have sprung?

Spring might have sprung?

Even though it is nearly summer, spring has definitely been in the air of late and the birds are relishing the warmth and sunshine that we are all enjoying too. There has been a sudden burst of activity in the Caribbean and Andean flamingos involving nes

22 May 2012