Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Bing's Nature Explorers
Sat 23 March to Sun 2 June
Learn all about wetland nature and wildlife this spring with a little help from Bing and his friends.
Find out more
Welcome to Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Feel alive in wildlife-rich wetlands this summer
Things to see and do
There's plenty to see and do at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, here are a few of our favourites...
WWT is the charity that protects wetlands and wildlife.
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Lowest number of swans at Slimbridge since 1965
You would be forgiven for thinking that a wet and windy autumn is in full swing with winter yet to arrive! These weather patterns are shaping what is turning out to be a memorable winter. The predominantly south-westerly winds and mild temperatures have m
30 December 2013
Swans stay put in wild weather!
Precarious flying! (G. Hann) It will come as no surprise that blustery south-westerly gales and torrential downpours are not conducive to good flying! Migrating with a strong wind against you is hard work and expends
23 December 2013
The Big Cygnet Count!
After the brief cold snap numbers have stabalised and many Bewick’s swans remain in eastern Europe. Those that have reached the Netherlands are feasting on maize and other grains, a solid staple for those visiting arable areas which in recent years, hav
5 December 2013
Return of The Gamblers!
Croupier (C. Butters) Faithful Slimbridge swan Croupier has flown in with his mate Dealer for his 23rd winter at Slimbridge! Croupier first learnt the way to the reserve as a cygnet in 1991 after following parents Cas
27 November 2013
Cold weather prompts swan-fall!
Over 50 new Bewick’s swans flew into Slimbridge last night transforming the Rushy Lake into a vibrant theatre of courtship routines, frenzied feeding and territorial squabbles! Conditions were perfect for migration with clear skies, good visibility and
22 November 2013
Winter brings swans back!
Well winter has really arrived this week! Those cold, crisp days with biting northerly winds are back with a vengeance, and accompanying them are more arctic visitors escaping even cooler conditions further east. I had a hunch that yesterday would be busy
21 November 2013
Wooton, Stinchcombe & 4 cygnets arrive!
Wooton, Stinchcombe & family (P. Rose) Wooton and Stinchcombe have just flown in fresh from migration with four cygnets! It was fantastic to see them circling the reserve before skimming in across the water. A ter
19 November 2013
Dario arrives with first family!
Dario, Bridges & cygnet (J S Lees) Regular Slimbridge visitor Dario has flown into Slimbridge for his 14th winter bringing with him his first cygnet! Dario first came to Slimbridge in 1999 as a youngster with pare
15 November 2013
Westerly winds stall migration
The predominantly westerly winds blowing this past week have stalled autumn migration and stemmed the flow of Bewick’s reaching the Netherlands and Britain. In the Netherlands, heavy rainfall has increased water levels at some sites making it difficult
12 November 2013
Zara brings back first mate!
After a few days of closely watching the swans, we have noticed that Zara, named after Olympian Zara Phillips, has a mate! Both adults have been seen closely associating with each other and both have performed greeting rituals and defended territory as a
1 November 2013
Swans on the move again!
The swans are slowly on the move again after stalling their journey during the big storm that affected parts of Europe. The strong winds and heavy rain will have reduced visibility and increased the risk of flying accidents and being blown off-course. The
30 October 2013
Bewick's brave winds to arrive at Slimbridge!
Seven Bewick’s swans made the most of the calm before the storm to continue their journey and reach Slimbridge yesterday! Humbugs (C. Butters) Leading them was Humbugs who has been the first to arrive for the last
28 October 2013
Update from the Netherlands
The Bewick's are continuing to move across the Netherlands with close to 1,000 birds now at various sites around the country, according to Dutch ornithologist Wim Tijsen. As Wim says 'it is all starting to move!' Jacob Jorritsma managed to capture this f
21 October 2013
Ringed swan spotted in Germany!
The Bewick's are making good progress with hundreds seen arriving in Germany over the last few days. Monika Povel clocked 259 swans at the Katinger Watt nature reserve in Schleswig-Holstein in the north. Swan with green
16 October 2013
First Bewick's at Welney!
The first two Bewick's of the winter have arrived at WWT Welney, officially kick-starting the British swan season! The pair took advantage of a brief spell of easterly winds to help them cross the channel and arrive on time. And there will be thousands no
14 October 2013