Arundel News
Spring begins for butterflies and bees.
It feels as if spring finally started last Sunday. Warmer temperatures and the sunshine arrived on the final day of the Easter holiday break at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. The reedbed was alive with warblers on my Sunday morning rounds. I heard the blast
15 April 2013
Colourful leg ring proves nene gander is a love cheat!
New plastic rings help breeding program at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre This spring rare wildfowl at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre are sporting colourful plastic leg rings that enable staff to identify them from a distance. The bright new leg bands alerted s
14 April 2013
Cold spring slows wildlife
Cold temperatures and low insect levels have made it a tough spring for mallard ducklings. Spring has been slow to arrive this year and it’s having an impact on Sussex wildlife. March in West Sussex was one of the c
12 April 2013
New feed bay opens at WWT Arundel
This spring families can get nose-to-beak with ducks, geese and swans from around the world in the new World Wildfowl feed bay at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. The new enclosure allows families to feed wildfowl, some who will eat directly from your hand! T
12 April 2013
Glossy Ibis and great white egret drop in
SUNDAY had a lovely sunny start with hints of spring in the air. During my morning walk around the reserve I heard chiffchaff singing at various points on the paths and a mistle thrush, robin and chaffinch joining in as well. I spotted another redshank. I
8 April 2013
Two unusual visitors a WWT Arundel
A glossy ibis was seen from the Lapwing Hide on Good Friday. A mute swan chased the heron-like ibis away but it was back in the afternoon and spotted from the Sand Martin hide on mid-morning on Saturday. Ibises are not regular visitors to the UK but occas
1 April 2013
New nene goslings at WWT Arundel
Four nene goslings with parents in the outdoor duckery at WWT Arundel. On March 18 four nene (Hawaiian) goslings hatched at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, the first goslings born on the reserve this spring. The four gr
26 March 2013
Hope for redshank to return
LAST WEDNESDAY I collected tubes from our latest water shrew survey from around the reedbeds and drainage ditches of the reserve. To detect water shrew activity we put out short sections plastic pipe with one end capped and bait them with fly pupae from t
23 March 2013
Ducks need your plant donations
Flooding devastated the plants in the exhibit that is home to Argentine red shovelers, Australian wood ducks and Cape shelducks. WWT Arundel is asking gardeners to donate plants this spring to replace those lost dur
23 March 2013
Novices & pros will enjoy Arundel Birdwatching Weekend
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre and Viewpoint Optics announce the first Arundel Birdwatching Weekend on March 23 & 24. The weekend of infomation and workshops boasts exhibitors like Zeiss Sports Optics, Swarovski, Manfrotto, and Opticron. Sponsored
18 March 2013
Avocet at Arundel is the first since 1989
The first avocet to visit Arundel since 1989 was spotted last Sunday near the Ramsar hide. An avocet spent the day on the islands near the Ramsar hide on Sunday. We have only had one of these small black and white wad
12 March 2013
The morning feed
Feb 12 by Paul Stevens I am doing the morning feed today. Water levels are high on the reserve after heavy rains. Wild gulls and mallard can interfere with the morning feed, scaring away the captive birds in our collection to get at the food. The gull
18 February 2013
Child’s plea for penguins will follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott
A letter written by six-year old Joe Hill of Alresford, Hampshire is on its way to Antarctica as part of a Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust competition to inspire future generations to get close to nature and protect our environment. The competition celebrat
12 February 2013
Families find Aliens & Invaders this Feb half-term
Families will find nature’s Aliens and Invaders during February half term at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. Discover some of the alien wildlife that has made its home in the UK and learn about the invading plants in our habitats. Follow the hands-on Disc
11 February 2013
WWT staff save black-necked swans eggs in wild winter weather
Lara & Arnie on their nest in the snow Arnie and Lara, the black-necked swan pair at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, produced 6 eggs during the weeks of snow, rain and ice at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre in January.
11 February 2013