Blog
Lost species: how the UK was once a much wetter land
Thousands of years ago, lowland Britain would once have been a much wetter place. There would have been a lot more wetland habitat all over the lowlands, filled with species you might not expect to see roaming the UK in great numbers.
22 December 2020
A spotlight on wetland wildlife - December Christmas Special
Join us for the final reserves roundup of 2020, where we hear updates on what's going on at WWT's 10 sites with a festive twist.
20 December 2020
Marvellous murmurations: why do birds flock together?
Flocking birds are iconic sights in winter wetlands, when a group of birds come together in large numbers in flight or to forage. But why do they do it? We take a look at the bird behaviour behind flocking.
18 December 2020
How your swan artworks helped get lead shot banned in EU wetlands
As the vote approached, we launched a callout in partnership with BirdLife Europe to ‘share a swan’ as a symbol of hope. See a small selection of some of the artworks our supportive WWT community produced!
15 December 2020
Swanfall after a slow start to 2020
Kane Brides and Steve Heaven update us on the - much later than expected, but nonetheless extremely welcome - influx of Bewick's swans to the UK this winter.
4 December 2020
A spotlight on wetland wildlife - November 2020
Our latest reserve roundup is here. Birds that have migrated to our wetlands are settling in for the winter as the temperatures drop.
3 December 2020
Wetlands throughout the seasons: winter
As the temperature drops, our wetland world is transformed. While much of the world slows down, winter wetlands come alive with their own special beauty. Find out more about the sights and sounds of wetlands in winter.
1 December 2020
How to have a greener festive season that will also help wetlands
Make a more meaningful connection this festive season. We’ve put together some ideas to help you have a creative, fun and nature-filled Christmas while keeping down your water, carbon and plastic footprints.
1 December 2020
Rising temperatures are triggering changed responses in animal populations in the Arctic, new data shows
The Arctic is in the process of entering a new ecological phase, which potentially carries a huge cost for humanity. WWT have taken part in a global study to shed light on how climate change might be affecting high Arctic species.
5 November 2020
Migrations series: how birds use wetlands as migration service-stations
Migration is one of the biggest events in a bird’s life, and many rely on wetlands to get them home. From well-known wildlife destinations to more modest, muddy wetlands, here are just some of the world’s most important migration stopover sites.
2 November 2020
What lies beneath: monsters of the marsh – myths and realities
We’ve sifted through the murky depths of wetlands’ worst to assemble a horror cast of bone-chilling, boggy beasts. Real or not, this line-up is the stuff of nightmares. We dare you to dive below to find out more. Please paddle carefully
30 October 2020
Wetland Warriors: Tadpole shrimp and tardigrades
There are two wetland animals that are unparalleled in their ability to survive whatever is thrown at them; extreme radiation, the vacuum of space… Being microwaved. Yes, it's the unassumingly named water bears and tadpole shrimp.
28 October 2020
Nights, camera, action! Device to record voyaging eels during hours of darkness installed at Gloucestershire reserve marking World Fish Migration Day
A new acoustic camera has been fitted at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre to monitor eels embarking on their epic migratory voyage.
24 October 2020
Wetlands throughout the seasons: autumn
From breath-taking scenery to epic wildlife migrations, autumn is when nature chooses to wow us with its beauty and power before slowing down for a period of rest and regeneration. So what can we expect from this colourful, dramatic season?
12 October 2020
Nature and our mental health: An interview with Jolie Goodman of the Mental Health Foundation
Social prescribing and embedding an urban wellbeing network of wild spaces are ways we can make nature more accessible for all. Read more about how this works in our interview with Jolie Goodman from the Mental Health Foundation.
8 October 2020