News
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
An intriguing association....
Sometimes, relationships between swans are not as they seem and recent observations have certainly left us wondering about three particular Slimbridge visitors. For the past six years, a swan named Nero has spent her winters at the reserve with what we as
26 November 2010
Crinkly's father returns with an un-crinkly cygnet!
The Slimbridge reserve is humming with life at the moment as north-easterly winds and plummeting temperatures have encouraged many more winter migrants to arrive. There were 57 hungry Bewick's at the feed this morning and 34 of those have arrived since Sa
24 November 2010
Divorcee Sarindi still with Sarind!
Sarindi, the female swan who unusually divorced from old mate Saruni last year, has arrived back at Slimbridge! As Bewick's swans form famously loyal partnerships during their lifetimes, mating for life where they can, the divorce of Sarindi and Saruni an
18 November 2010
First family fly in with the Tea Party!
Swan Lake was bustling with activity this morning as 14 new swans arrived overnight, pushing the reserve total up to 24 birds. Our first family of the winter flew in, a single parent who has brought her two cygnets to Slimbridge after seemingly losing her
17 November 2010
Over 1,000 Bewick's at Welney!
With fog forecasted across the country this morning, swan counters on the Ouse Washes in Norfolk were bracing themselves for tricky counting conditions with poor visibility. Fortunately, the fog did not materialise, and all were treated to glorious sunshi
16 November 2010