News
Almost 1000 Twitter members
It should be an exciting this week as we curerntly have 985 followers on Twitter and I hoping to reach the 1000 mark. Our Twitter account is WWTMartinMere and we provide wildlife updates as well as details of what is happening at the Centre - so please,
10 January 2011
A very exciting adventure...
Hi all, sorry for the blogging silence but I have been sent to Madadgascar!! A team of staff from WWT – along with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and The Peregrine Fund and the Government of Madagascar – have been working to reverse the fort
7 January 2011
Another poor breeding season
A co-ordinated count of adult and juvenile swans across the UK and the continent in mid-December has shown that the Bewick's swans have had another poor breeding season. Only 10.5% of the 7,275 birds aged between 16 and 21 December were youngsters (WWT/W.
7 January 2011
Model boat and train show at WWT Martin Mere
Its full steam ahead at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre this month as we host our Indoor Model Boat and Train Show on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 January 2011. All the family will be entertained by local model boat and train societies as they bring a vast ar
7 January 2011
Bittern watch
Many of our visitors have been spotting bitterns on the reserve over the past week - some for the first time! Up to five have been confirmed on one day, and we're hoping the bittern released here on Christmas Eve is still out there. One of our regular vis
4 January 2011
Freak weather conditions kill hundreds of endangered geese
Extraordinary weather conditions in the Kalmykya region of Southern Russia bordering the Caspian Sea have led to the deaths of at least several hundred - and possibly thousands - of rare geese. Snow and rain fell together, which in combination with vici
2 January 2011
The new year begins
I would like to wish everyone a very happy new year and all the best for 2011. I had a lovely Christmas and New Year, mainly spending it with my family and close friends - I do enjoy this holiday as it is a time when you can properly relax. But now the sn
2 January 2011
Swans treated to Christmas leftovers!
Over Christmas, our reserve wardens have been busy lacing the lake shore with raw potatoes, carrots and parsnips as an extra tasty treat for the swans. During weeks of sub-zero temperatures, their natural food became increasingly scarce as the grass remai
30 December 2010
Brazilian merganser is IUCN's Species of the Day
The Critically Endangered Brazilian Merganser is Species of the Day today on the IUCN Red List website. WWT has been working with colleagues in Brazil to help the birds recover from an estimated 250 individuals. It is hoped that by improving the quality
22 December 2010
More snow, more swans!
The big freeze continues and the swans keep flooding in! This December is set to be the coldest in the UK since records began in 1910, according to the Met Office. Food for the swans is becoming increasingly scarce as wintering sites across Northwest Euro
21 December 2010
Highest number of swans since 1991!
A total of 261 Bewick's swans have visited Slimbridge so far this winter, the highest number seen here by 10 December since 1991, when 333 were recorded during another period of cold weather where temperatures similarly dipped to -8C. The freezing conditi
10 December 2010
Oldest swan arrives breaking all records!
We were thrilled to see the return of Winterling this morning, who at the age of 28 years, has broken the record for the oldest swan known to have visited Slimbridge! Winterling first visited the reserve as a cygnet in 1982 with her parents Albert and Rac
1 December 2010
Snow triggers swan fall!
Freezing temperatures and north-easterly winds have triggered our first 'swan fall' of the winter with 24 new birds arriving overnight, pushing the reserve count up to 120! A total of 135 swans have now visited the reserve this winter which is higher than
30 November 2010
New weekend activities programme
Plans are afoot to develop activities at weekends with an exciting programme of walks, crafts and outdoor exploration. The aim is that there will be something to please children and families as well as adult visitors. We will be starting these in the New
28 November 2010
Return of a golden oldie!
We were thrilled to see the return of golden oldie Bacan this afternoon! Bacan first visited Slimbridge as a yearling in 1991 which means he is now 20 years old! Bewick's swans can live to at least 29 years old in the wild and we are eagerly awaiting the
26 November 2010