News
Black-winged stilts breed at Steart Marshes
A pair of black-winged stilts have successfully bred three chicks here at WWT Steart Marshes for the very first time.
10 July 2020
Human swan calls for lead shot ban ahead of EU vote
Human swan Sacha Dench has added her voice to the call for a lead shot ban from wetlands.
29 June 2020
Lead shot ban on knife-edge
The future of lead shot in the EU is on a knife-edge after several countries indicated that they will abstain or vote against a ban of its use in wetlands. Lead is one of the WHO’s ten most toxic human poisons, and kills a million waterbirds a year.
26 June 2020
The European lead ammunition scandal: the questions that need answering
Why is key vote on lead ammuniation repeatedy delayed?
18 June 2020
Welcome home! Black-tailed godwits return to WWT Welney
It seems that home really is where the heart is, even if you’re a black-tailed godwit. With good numbers already returning to Project Godwit sites this year, the future looks bright for these iconic waders.
19 May 2020
Martin Spray steps down as Chief Executive today after 16 years of service at WWT.
WWT’s Chief Executive Martin Spray has retired from his role, ending a 32-year career in the conservation sector. Mr Spray called it a ‘privilege’ to have led WWT, and after watching it grow in ‘confidence, ambition, influence and profile’ in t
11 May 2020
Protecting our Bewick’s on the Tundra despite the global lockdown
While the world's population is in lockdown, nature is suffering no such restrictions. Bewick's swans Elroy and Hope, have recently been spotted off the Gulf of Finland as they complete the final leg of their epic 2,500 mile migration.
4 May 2020
UK crane population reaches its highest level for over 400 years
Crane numbers are a 400-year high thanks to to a conservation partership between charities.
22 April 2020
Huge nature, wellbeing and climate cost of coronavirus
Environmental charities warn health of planet at risk from coronavirus impact
15 April 2020
Flamingos form firm friendships
Flamingos form friendships that last for years, new research shows.
14 April 2020
If we want to bring back farmland birds, restore a farmland pond, new research shows
Researchers have shown that restored farmland ponds contained twice as many bird species and almost three times as many birds, compared to neighbouring unmanaged and overgrown ponds.
4 March 2020
WWT welcomes steps towards removing lead ammunition from the environment
WWT has welcomed a voluntary ban on the use of lead ammunition by UK shooting organisations. The new initiative means that hunters are expected to transition from lead ammunition in favour of non-toxic alternatives by 2025.
24 February 2020
Delivering as Intended: Demonstration Wetland
Even before its completion, the role of WWT Steart Marshes reserve as a demonstration wetland was clear. Recognised as one of the best examples of design and engineering for wetland habitat creation. Ongoing research is providing invaluable evidence of th
20 February 2020
Can you spot our new working wetland signs?
A working wetland provides multiple benefits to people and wildlife, whilst also helping to improve water quality or reduce flood risk. We are showcasing some examples of mini working wetlands around the reserve, and have just installed our latest informa
12 February 2020
Environment Minister and Taunton Deane MP visits UK’s largest wetland reserve to discover how wetlands can combat climate crisis
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Rebecca Pow was given a tour of WWT Steart Marshes in north Somerset to find out how healthy wetlands can help people and wildlife adapt to climate change.
7 February 2020