News
Two pairs of kingfishers nest at Arundel for the first time
Double kingfisher families at Arundel Wetland Centre give more close encounters and photo opportunities this summer.
13 July 2022
Reedswamp exhibit works
We have restructured our Reedswamp exhibit this by removing silt out of the pond, adding more land area for geese to graze and removing the foot bridge. Machinery works were completed on the Reedswamp project in April . In July we added topsoil, grass se
9 July 2022
Both kingfisher pairs are trying for second broods
Both pairs of kingfishers have already hatched out youngsters that have left the nest but both pairs are trying for second broods in the nesting banks. Breeding kingfishers are very territorial. When the chicks are grown and can fly they must find t
3 July 2022
Fledglings, dragonflies and butterflies
The hot weather has accelerated the wildflowers onsite. As the cowslip and ragged robin start to disappear, common valerian, various umbellifers and bird’s-foot trefoil appear in abundance, with southern marsh and common spotted orchids flourishing on t
22 June 2022
Oystercatcher chick and juvenile kingfisher
On Sunday Reserve Warden Suzi Lanaway spotted two fledged lapwing chicks with their parents across from the Ramsar hide. This was good news because we hadn’t had a chick sighting for weeks. That isn’t unusual when the vegetation gets tall - it's diffi
9 June 2022
May 28-June 5 is Wonderful Wildlife Week at WWT Arundel
Wriggling tadpoles, fledging kingfishers and fluffy oystercatcher chicks (above) are part of the wonderful wildlife hatching out of the ponds and meadows this half term at Arundel Wetland Centre from May 28-June 5, all part of Wonderful Wildlife Week.
23 May 2022
Mandarin ducklings, great egret & sand martin sightings
This week’s highlights include a marsh harrier sighting over the reedbeds at 1pm on Monday. Could they be nesting there? We also had a great white egret in on Wednesday at the Scrape hide. Kingfishers continue to pop in and out of nest hole number 5 on
19 May 2022
Damsels & dragons emerging
Damselflies are starting to emerge in earnest, with large red (pictured), common blue and blue-tailed damselflies flitting about. Hairy dragonflies are also emerging now. Warblers are singing all over the place, including sedge, reed, willow and Cett
12 May 2022
Busy breeding season is underway at Arundel
Head Keeper Sam McKinlay and the Collection Team once again have their hands full with breeding season underway among the threatened and endangered birds they care for at Arundel Wetland Centre. The Keepers have many species to track and will house the ha
11 May 2022
Singing and nesting around the reserve
Sand martins and kingfishers continue to show at the Sand martin hide. A pair of oystercatchers have been frequenting the fresh cobble islands out front (photo).Between Ramsar and Sand martin hides look out for lapwing and chicks, common gulls, Med gulls,
5 May 2022
Lapwing chicks near Ramsar hide
At least three lapwing chicks have hatched out opposite the Ramsar hide – now the adult lapwing's mission is protection. They are mobbing predatory crows or any greylag geese families that wander too close. An adult kingfisher was seen taking a faecal
27 April 2022
Sand martins arriving
Sand martins started filtering through this week. Last Tuesday we saw eight in the late afternoon, four on Thursday and 10 on Good Friday. There are likely more than this moving through –this is just what our wardens counted while working. Warblers si
16 April 2022
Top 10 to try during Easter holiday weekend
Our tips on things to try during your family visit this April.
11 April 2022
Second kingfisher pair nesting onsite
A second pair of kingfishers seem to be nesting in artificial bank of the Sand martin hide. They have beat the sand martins to the space this year but there is plenty of room on the other side of the bank. We should be seeing sand martins moving through s
7 April 2022
Oystercatcher pair about
A pair of oystercatchers are appearing regularly at the Sand martin hide and the old Tundra pen on the corner. They have nested at both sites in previous years so this may be that same pair. Kingfishers have been using the perch in front of the Sand marti
31 March 2022