News
Spring rarities at WWT centres
As spring has progressed we’ve been seeing an increasing number of rare bird visitors to our reserves. The months of April and May are great for spotting returning migrants from Africa and other hot climes. Birds are also busy singing to attract mates
3 May 2011
Artist of the month - Sandra Taylor
Sandra has lived all her life in Washington, Tyne and Wear. She attended Cumbria College of Art and Design in Carlisle, studying graphic design, before working as a graphic designer in Jesmond. After a career break to become a full time mum, she rediscove
1 May 2011
Turf!
I have been super lucky this spring, as the team all came together whilst I was away in Madagascar and beyond to re-turf our rearing ponds! With a few bacterial problems rearing their heads in 2009 and 2010, it was decided to invest in a complete replac
30 April 2011
A 'new born' update
Andy's absence I thought I would give you a quick update on all the new borns at the Centre. The first brood of ducklings have hatched in the nursery: African Yellow Bills, so there should be plenty of ducklings in the nursery for when it opens on 28 May.
28 April 2011
WWT names Bewick's swan pair William and Kate after royal couple
Known for their lifelong monogamy, a pair of swans is the latest honour bestowed on the royal couple. Staff at WWT have been gripped with wedding fever and knowing that the couple have asked for no gifts and have a passion for conservation, we have named
28 April 2011
Still two eggs
The ospreys are still basking in sunshine and we still have a clutch of 2 eggs. It has been quite difficult to see what is actually going on in the nest cup due to the mounds of grass and sticks that the female has heaped up at the edge of the nest. Today
28 April 2011
Cattle return to graze at Welney
It's that time of the year again when the first herds of cattle are brought back onto the washes at WWT Welney to shortly begin the task of grazing the washes - a traditional way of managing wet grasslands. The cattle graze out any coarse long grasses and
25 April 2011
Easter eggs to boost crane numbers in England
A clutch of very special Easter eggs arrived at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire this morning – 14 common crane eggs from Germany. Some are hatching now and the rest are expected to hatch over the Easter weekend, making them some of the most signific
21 April 2011
Early birds catch the dawn chorus
International Dawn Chorus Day, on 1 May, is the worldwide celebration of nature's daily miracle. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centres across the country are offering a unique opportunity to enjoy their wonderful wildlife reserves before daybreak as we cele
21 April 2011
Happy Easter
I would like to wish everyone a very happy Easter and I hope that everyone enjoys the predicted nice weather over the next few days. I am working so I shall be busy walking around everywhere all weekend and enjoying the sun and hopefully spending time tal
21 April 2011
Busy, busy, busy
I really don't feel like I have stopped lately! The Centre has been very busy for the Easter holidays and the canoe safari is proving to be a popular attraction - about 24% of visitors each day is using the canoes. I am spending a lot of time out at the s
19 April 2011
Join our Jemima Puddleduck toddle waddle
Toddlers can take part in an action-packed version of the popular story Jemima Puddleduck at a special event in June. As part of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s walking month in June, Slimbridge Wetland Centre is having a toddle waddle on three days fro
18 April 2011
In the frame - images from WWT Washington
Summer is surely on its way at WWT Washington, with flamingos trying potential nests for size, the insect garden beginning to burst into colour and bee flies hovering about (but easier to photograph on the ground!). Check our 'new projects' page for the l
17 April 2011
More nest material and more flounders
Today the female was on the nest from 8am calling for AW to bring in a fish. At just after 10.30am he obliged and brought in a flounder for his mate which she took and flew off to a tree nearby to eat. He stayed on the nest for a while, kicking back to fo
14 April 2011
The AGM is coming to Martin Mere
I am pleased to announce that the WWT AGM will be held at Martin Mere this year on 15 September. All the information relating to the AGM will be within the next edition of Waterlife but it is great that the Trust want to showcase all of the developments a
14 April 2011