Fresh wild families at WWT Arundel this Spring
Spring is here at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre, bringing with it a delightful wave of fluffy newcomers.
From mid‑March through April, volunteers and visitors have been spotting newly hatched chicks, ducklings and goslings across the wetlands. With so many young birds now venturing out with their parents, it’s a magical time to visit and connect with nature this season.
Mallard ducklings
Mallard ducklings are often one of the earliest signs that spring is truly here, and this year has been no exception.
On 11 March, the first mallard ducklings of the season were spotted at Arundel, marking the start of the breeding season (see the video below). More appeared soon after, with additional ducklings spotted on 2 April in the Woodland Loop, despite a chilly start to spring following a wet winter.
Female mallards usually lay between 7 and 13 eggs, but sometimes they lay eggs in an existing nest. This “egg dumping” behaviour can result in impressively large broods, meaning a single female may end up shepherding 20 or more ducklings.
Coots chicks
Coot families have been a regular and endearing sight on Waterside Walk this spring.
A pair of coots brought their four newly hatched chicks out onto the big pond on 15 March, after keeping their nest carefully hidden in a small ditch beneath the trees. Coots are attentive parents, feeding their chicks directly and keeping them close for several months.
By 8 April, three of the four chicks were still with their parents, who have been caring for them on the pond since mid‑March (see picture above). The adults expertly guided their young through the busy waters, even among heavy pond traffic that includes a resident pair of mute swans. The three young coots are now almost fully grown but still screeching at their parents for food as April comes to an end.
Moorhen chicks
Moorhen families have also begun to appear across the wetlands, particularly on the front pond and throughout the Woodland Loop.
In early to mid‑April, several young moorhen families were spotted exploring quieter waterways and ditches. One charming moment was filmed in the Bewick’s swan exhibit by volunteer Andy Burns, showing a relaxed moorhen chick spending time with its parent. Keep an eye along reed‑lined channels and sheltered edges to spot these often discreet families.
Greylag goslings
Greylag goslings are a common and much‑loved sight along many of the pathways at Arundel in spring. This year there are many greylag family groups throughout the site.
This family was seen grazing in the picnic area on 15 April, where the goslings were enjoying the tender spring grass. This is a particularly good place to see greylag families at this time of year, as they often return here throughout spring to feed.
Canada Geese
Canada goose families have also made their spring debut, with goslings appearing on the large lagoon through April. Visitors may spot the fluffy youngsters swimming closely behind their parents or resting along the water’s edge as they grow stronger each day.
A Gentle Reminder for Visitors
All of the young birds seen around the site are wild. Please enjoy them from a distance and give families plenty of space. If you see a duckling, chick or gosling that you believe may be in distress, do not pick it up. Instead, report it to a member of the WWT Arundel team, who are trained to help if needed.
Watch This Space
There’s plenty more young wildlife families to look forward to as spring continues, including:
- Oystercatchers at the Sand Martin Hide
- Marsh harriers over the reedbed
- Lapwing on the wet grassland
- Mandarin ducklings in the Woodland Loop
- Cattle Egret chicks in May-June
With so many fresh families around the wetlands, spring at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is full of life, discovery and unforgettable moments. Bring your little ones to meet our little ones — and enjoy the season at its very best.
