Blog
Ten of our favourite children's books and stories featuring wetlands
Woods feature strongly in stories from our childhood – Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood - yet wetlands and water also play a prominent role in many of our favourite books.
7 March 2019
Nature springs into action early as unseasonal temperatures soar
Impatient spring weather has played havoc with the routines of our wetland wildlife. Our wintering visitors have all but left for their breeding grounds and some of our summer residents have already popped up in their place. What is going on?
5 March 2019
Dynasties – dominance and drama on the wetlands
Some of our most successful swans belong to large dynasties, powerful families who have been returning to the same lake each year for generations. As space becomes tight, visitors to the centres are likely to witness an argument or two upon the ripples.
11 February 2019
Challenging threats to our water quality – and to wetland wildlife
The Water Framework Directive is a piece of legislation that has lead to the Environment Agency improving over 4,500km of water bodies in the last 3 years. Now, that directive is under review - and there's a chance it could be weakened.
7 February 2019
The lesser snow goose: seven amazing facts
The lesser snow goose is a fascinating bird. Here are a few reasons why it's so amazing: Breeding grounds in the ArcticBirds migrate to their breeding grounds in the Arctic when snow is still on the ground, and use their body fat to wait for the new grass
9 January 2019
Longstanding Martin Mere volunteer gives us a sneak 'beak' into his day
The volunteers are WWT’s wings. Without their 1000 volunteers, the charity’s grand ambitions would never be met. One of their current longest serving volunteers is Dave Walsh, 73. He has been helping out at WWT’s Martin Mere in Lancashire for over
4 January 2019
Madagascar pochard: fact file on the world's rarest duck
Everything you need to know about the Madagascar pochard, the world's rarest duck, and how WWT have been working for over a decade to protect it and the precious wetland habitat it needs.
2 January 2019
Countdown to an eco-friendly Christmas that won't cost the Earth
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Here are some great ideas to make it a wonderful time for both you and wetland nature – by having a creative, fun Christmas while keeping down your water, carbon and plastic footprints. Eco-friendly gift idea
12 December 2018
Why do barnacle geese jump off cliffs? | Barnacle goose facts
Barnacle geese create nests on high cliffs to avoid predation, however within a few days of hatching goslings must jump off these cliff faces! Find out more about the amazing barnacle goose and the myths and legends that follow it.
21 November 2018
Training the Madagascar pochards
Before they start their new lives on the water, our Madagascar pochards will have to learn how to find food. We want the birds to stay on Lake Sofia. If the ducks stray, no other site in the region will be able to support them, such is the degree to whic
15 November 2018
The water of life: how wetland species are affected by water pollution
Since 1970 over 50 per cent of our freshwater and wetland species have declined in numbers. The main reason is because the quality and quantity of water they live in is declining too.
9 November 2018
Ducks in transit
The journey between Antsohihy and Lake Sofia – to take Madagascar pochards from the breeding centre to their new home – poses many challenges.
8 November 2018
'Intents' conditions! Camping by Lake Sofia
After a 12 hour drive – if they’re lucky – on a bumpy, dusty and muddy road - our team will arrive at Lake Sofia where they will set up camp. As they gear up for the release of the Madagascar pochard, they will share their time between the lakeside
1 November 2018
Lake Sofia: The Communities
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The communities that live around Lake Sofia are no different. When our conservationists discovered Lake Sofia in 2011, it was far from the perfect condition. Tens of thousands of people rely on it
25 October 2018
The bird that can fly over the Himalayas: the brilliant bar-headed goose
The bar-headed goose (Anser Indicus) appear to be a pretty, mid-sized Asian goose, but beneath the skin this species exhibits some of nature’s most amazing adaptations that allow it to fly over the top of the Himalayan mountains.
24 October 2018