News

Top 5 for Families to Try this April

Top 5 for Families to Try this April

Spring is an exciting time to discover the wonder of wetlands. Warmer weather and brighter days bring new life bursting forth in a green landscape. With wildlife awaking and hatching out it’s a memory-making day out for everyone. Here are some sugges

20 March 2023

Our Keepers are on the hop in spring

Our Keepers are on the hop in spring

There is always stunning wildlife to see at Arundel Wetland Centre but our site is also home to a collection of non-native ducks and geese that tell the story of wetlands around the world. Caring for these birds has our keepers busy year 'round but especi

18 March 2023

Toads on the move, Kingfishers & oystercatchers active

Toads on the move, Kingfishers & oystercatchers active

Toad migration to breeding ponds picked up again last week on the days when the overnight temps were warmer and the weather was showery. On Monday Senior Reserve Warden Emma Jacob was on ‘Toad Patrol’ doing 'catch and release' of toads that were broug

16 March 2023

NEW Reedbed Willow Sphere preview for WWT members

NEW Reedbed Willow Sphere preview for WWT members

The new Reedbed Willow Sphere opens for WWT Members on a special preview day on Thurs 30 March. It will open for all visitors on Sat 1 April. Immerse yourself in reedbed wildlife inside in this beautiful woven sphere with views across the wetlands. Bea

9 March 2023

Cold weather slows down spring

Cold weather slows down spring

The cold weather seems to have put spring on hold for the moment. Birds are singing and displaying, but not much else is going on. Lapwing are still onsite in good numbers and are starting to investigate usual territories, but have yet to starting mating

9 March 2023

Lots of lapwing still on site

Lots of lapwing still on site

Flock of 100+ lapwing still onsite most days, not broken up yet for spring. You will hear the occasional slide-whistle display calls when individual males taking to the air. Mixed groups of tits in the Woodland Loop (including a coal tit) with chaffinc

4 March 2023

Oystercatchers return

Oystercatchers return

A pair of oyster catchers were spotted feeding in the grass around Pelican Cove yesterday. The pair moved over to the rocky island on Arun Riverlife lagoon in Tuesday afternoon. We think this is one of our regular nesting pairs - likely the pair who have

22 February 2023

Common, black-headed & Mediterranean gulls

Common, black-headed & Mediterranean gulls

Large numbers of common gulls have been onsite this week - they have arrived a bit late this winter. There are fewer Mediterranean gulls in the mix than usual -but with high gull numbers and the Med. gulls not all fully coloured up and often sitting wit

16 February 2023

Pintails, wigeon, pochards & teal

Pintails, wigeon, pochards & teal

There was a pair of pintail at the Sand martin hide this morning along with 8 pochard and 4 wigeon. Good numbers of teal around and snipe back in front of Ramsar hide, Scrape hide and even one on the Arun Riverlife lagoon. Lots of lapwing still between Ra

8 February 2023

Hide out in our hides this Feb halfterm

Hide out in our hides this Feb halfterm

Hideout with the experts to experience winter wildlife this February half term Feb 11-19 at Arundel Wetland Centre

8 February 2023

Lapwing, teal & gadwall numbers back up after the thaw

Lapwing, teal & gadwall numbers back up after the thaw

Now that our waterways have thawed lapwing numbers are back up with the highest count 120 last Saturday. We’ve pochards onsite too – on Arun Riverlife, Pelican Cove and Wetland Discovery. A pair of pochard nested on Pelican Cove last year so we are ke

31 January 2023

Bullfinches along Tranquil Trail

Bullfinches along Tranquil Trail

Bullfinches have been showing in the hedgerows along the Long path and Tranquil Trail. Sightings of these bright birds (the males) in the trees of the Reedswamp exhibit as well. Visitors reported spotting firecrests last weekend as well. They usually s

24 January 2023

Displaying teal on the icy scrape

Displaying teal on the icy scrape

Teal, gadwall and shoveler are present in good numbers from Ramsar, Sand Martin and Scrape hides, with shelduck dotted amongst them. Pair bonds are forming and the array of display between species is an often comical sight. Teal were calling and the males

17 January 2023

Free  cup of tea or coffee for WWT members

Free cup of tea or coffee for WWT members

Members - get a free pot of tea or cup of filter coffee when you visit Arundel Wetland Centre between Jan 28 to Feb 10. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we want to say how much we love your support by giving our adult members a Winter Warmer Reward

17 January 2023

Peregrines, sparrowhawk and kestrel onsite

Peregrines, sparrowhawk and kestrel onsite

Birds of prey sightings this week include our regular kestrel visiting a few times and sightings of a peregrine and a sparrow hawk. A great spotted woodpecker is showing frequently in the Wood Loop now and this week we had a green woodpecker at the far en

12 January 2023