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Upcoming Events
Optics Days 6 December 2026
Birding for Beginners 25 November
Guided Birdwatch Walk 26 November
Closing times changed on Sunday 25 October, details here https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland...
Summer Walkway closing for the winter season
Final access for the summer walkway and Middle Point was on Saturday 24 October, note that the clocks change and timings for hide closures will change on the 25 October. No further access from Sunday 25 October as we begin to shut the reserve down for the birds. Hedge cutting will take place around the Tack Piece soon. The reserve team still plan to removed the coppiced willows along the Summer Walkway and Tack Piece ditch.
Cattle are grazing on the Tack Piece for a final session then removed for the season, the field will be topped after.
Seasonal habitat work, essential maintenance and farming
*Please note that you may encounter farming activity, seasonal habitat management, infrastructure maintenance or survey work around the reserve. This can include the use of machinery. We typically work in one area at a time with a large team to get the job done quickly and safely. We manage the other wetland areas to offer a quiet place to feed and rest, short-term localised disturbance is possible. Our birds simply move to another spot for a time and return once we finish, the first phase of work in the Rushy led to outstanding views of waders on the Tack Piece.
It's important to allow quiet during the evenings and very early mornings when birds are roosting so most work is carried out when a full team is on site between 0800-1630hrs. This work is essential for biodiversity and the annual cycle of the reserve and also to keep the place operational, pumps, filter, pipes and much more need attention. This work also allows us to keep views open to our scrapes and lakes following the breeding season.
Greater Flamingo on the River Severn
A second calendar year greater flamingo has been sighted on the River Severn close to WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Identified by her green ring ‘LHH’, the young female flamingo belongs to Birdland Park and Gardens, in Bourton-on-the-Water, from where she has recently taken flight and become separated from her flock. Working closely with our colleagues at Birdland, we are monitoring her movements and keeping them updated. She currently appears healthy, coping well and not causing a disturbance to other birds.
Monday 9 November
No sightings by 1115hrs of the Penduline Tits.
Estuary Tower
8 Dark-bellied Brent (pair with five juvenile and spare adult), Pink-footed Goose with Canada Goose flock on foreshore + Peregrine, 4 Little Egret, 20 Cormorant, 39 GBB Gull, flocks Curlew, Shelducks and Wigeon.
Estuary Tower
8 Grey Plover, Knot and Little Stint with 70 Dunlin in flight over foreshore, 3 Little Stint, 9 Ruff among the Lapwing and Golden Plover on Top New Piece, lone Bean Goose, probably Tundra.
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
Five Bewick's Swans, 56 Pochard, flocks of Tufted Duck, Pintail, Mallard, Teal and Shelduck
