Spring has sprung and with the birth of a new season comes new and exciting experiences for all the family at WWT Wetland Centres.
Spring has sprung and with the birth of a new season comes new and exciting experiences for all the family at WWT Wetland Centres. Meet the cutest newborn ducklings, goslings and cygnets with special behind-the scenes encounters, enjoy themed events, talks and discovery trails, get involved in some of our exciting hands-on activities or just enjoy a spring stroll in the wetlands.
With over 200,000 birds and other wildlife at WWT Wetland Centres, there are literally thousands of reasons to visit this spring. Each centre introduces adults and children alike to the wonders of wetland wildlife and their habitats, with stunning scenery and nose-to-beak encounters with some of the world's most dramatic and rare birds, as well as exciting mammals and reptiles too. WWT's nine wetland centres across the UK are all different: from exciting interactive exhibits, canoe or bike safaris, discovery trails, fun, educational children's play areas and a full programme of activities and events for all the family this spring. Every centre also has excellent restaurants and gift shops and all have family friendly and disabled facilities.
And to make your money go further, if you visit during spring and become a member of WWT, not only do you get your entrance fee refunded, but you get free entry to all nine centres for the rest of 2009. As well as free entry to WWT centres, members receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what's going on at all nine centres and WWT's conservation work around the world.
Events at WWT centres this spring include:
WWT Arundel T 01903 881530 West Sussex
Encounters of the duckling kind, 4-19 April - including downy ducklings, pond dipping, duckling-themed crafts and discovery trail.
The quack factor, 23 - 31 May - a 'quacking' talent competition, duckling & diving, pond dipping, the great duck hunt, games and daily duck safaris.
WWT Caerlaverock T 01387 770200 Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Wild goose chase day, 1 March - join our 6am dawn flight, take guided walks, and enjoy a talk on our barnacle goose project.
Stars and stripes, 6-19 April, 7.30pm - Wwatch wild badgers feeding outside our observatory, complimentary refreshments. Adult £7.50, concs £5, child £2.50.
WWT Castle Espie T 028 9187 4146 County Down, Northern Ireland
Starship enterprise, 1 March, 2-4pm - learn how we built our sustainable garden library out of rubbish and recycled materials.
Ireland's green wedding fair, 28 June, 10am-6pm - over 30 exhibitors and fashion show, plus win an ethical wedding package.
WWT London T 020 8409 4400 Barnes
Big batty bat walks, 14, 21 & 28 May - explore the reserve with a bat detector to see and hear which species are swooping around. Times vary. £10, booking essential.
Love London Recycled Sculpture Show, 4 June - see how talented artists have transformed everyday waste into innovative sculptures on display until June 2010.
WWT Martin Mere T 01704 895181 Lancashire
Craft and hobby show, 27 & 28 June - circus workshops, unicycling, plate spinning and juggling. plus pond dipping, face painting and balloon sculpting, and a climbing wall (£1).
Downy duckling days, 23 - 31 May & every weekend in June - see egg candling, hatching eggs, nest boxes and newborn chicks. Voted best tourism experience of the year 2008/09 in the Lancashire and Blackpool tourism awards.
WWT Slimbridge T 01453 891900 Gloucestershire
Grow your own Earth walls day, 11 April - learn the ancient art of cob building. Under 16s must be accompanied. Free with admission. Booking essential.
Downy ducklings days, 23 - 31 May (every half hour 11am-1pm & 2-4.40pm) & daily at 12.30pm during June - join one of our hugely popular behind the scenes tours to meet ducklings, goslings and cygnets.
WWT Llanelli T 01554 741087 Carmarthenshire -
Easter explorers, 4-19 April - try pond dipping, enjoy spring walks plus our bike trail and canoe safari. Duckling days, 23 May - 1 June & every Sunday in June - Get up close to baby chicks and ducklings.
WWT Washington T 0191 416 5454 Tyne & Wear
Spring craft fair, 28 March- 5 April - browse homemade wares from talented local craftspeople.
Half-term holidays and Easter, 6- 19 April - pond dipping (Mon, Wed & Fri, 11am-12 & 1-2pm) and craft activities (1.30-3.30pm, £1), plus an Easter duck hunt on 12 April.
WWT Welney T 01353 860711 Norfolk
Bats & barn owls, 22 May (9.30pm - midnight) - listen to bats hunting, explore moth traps and look for roosting wildlife. £12, booking essential.
Fen tiger's tale, 31 May (10am - 4pm) - displays and demonstrations from modern day fen tigers including wildfowling with a punt gun and duck decoy carving.