News
Wetlands key to ecosystem restoration
A specific wetland programme under the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration would help the world reach its ambitious goals of sustainable development, halting biodiversity loss and tackling climate change, says WWT.
22 March 2019
WWT reaction to proposed goose shoot ban
A proposed ban on shooting one of England’s rarest birds is welcome, but a fundamental change in policy is needed if other vulnerable birds are to recover, says WWT.
7 March 2019
Nature springs into action early as unseasonal temperatures soar
Impatient spring weather has played havoc with the routines of our wetland wildlife. Our wintering visitors have all but left for their breeding grounds and some of our summer residents have already popped up in their place. What is going on?
5 March 2019
Volunteer Hilary at work
Find out about Steart volunteer Hilary. Thanks to Gwendy for the interview and pictures, look out for further volunteer interviews in the coming weeks.
27 February 2019
Steart Marshes celebrates 5 years of volunteering!
This week sees a milestone for us here at Steart Marshes, it will be 5 years since the very first practical volunteer task...
14 February 2019
CIEEM visit Steart Marshes
On the 25th January, we had the pleasure of hosting a guided field visit to 40 members of CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management), reflecting on the ecological changes that the reserve has undergone since the breach in 2014...
13 February 2019
A muddy day in the life of a volunteer!
Volunteer Gwendy wrote about her first experience of digging drainage ditches at Steart. We thank our dedicated team of practical volunteers who help the wardens with this work - the nature of the job means it is often in cold, wet, muddy conditions.
9 February 2019
Wetlands given cash injection by People’s Postcode Lottery players
Wetlands will receive a £600,000 boost this year thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The amazing players of People’s Postcode Lottery have provided WWT with more than £2 million of support over the past five years which have aided eve
7 February 2019
Rare dragonflies discovered at WWT reserve in Somerset
WWT Steart is home to rare species of dragonflies, a study has found. A host of species have been found at WWT Steart, including emerald, red-eyed and small red-eyed damselflies, brown hawker, scarce chaser and ruddy darter. Scarce chaser is Red Liste
5 February 2019
Dragonflies at Steart Marshes
19 species of dragonflies and damselflies were found at Steart Marshes in 2018. This survey work has confirmed that the freshwater parts of the Reserve merit recognition as a Priority Site of Local Importance in Somerset for dragonflies.
27 January 2019
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose White-fronted goose Gadwall Goldeneye Mallard Pintail Pochard Teal Tufted duck Shelduck Shoveler Wigeon Cattle egret Crane Great egret Little egret Cormorant Coot Moorhen Black-tailed godwi
16 January 2019
Wildlife sightings 16/01/19
a.m. mid/high tide Wader Lake Grey heron 3 Shoveler 4 male, 1 female Mute swan 2 Shelduck 9 Tufted duck Water rail (heard at Prince's Trust hide) Teal 15 Saline lagoon Teal 3 Hawthorn Wood Lesser redpoll 4 Mealy redpoll Brambling 10 Nuthatch Treecreeper G
16 January 2019
Chiffchaff overwintering in Wildside
1 Bittern - main lake 4 Pintail - main lake, reservoir lagoon 1 Water Pipit - grazing marsh 1 Shelduck - main lake 4 Snipe - wader scrape 1 Chiffchaff - Wildside January bird highlights: Shelduck, Goldeneye, Bittern, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit,
16 January 2019
Great Whites
Martin Smith Hide Chiffchaff calling from the nearby trees, two birds have been seen here lately and are probably roosting in the ivy. The Jack Snipe made another appearance along with 5 Common Snipe, if you don't see it first time it's well worth return
15 January 2019
Today's Sightings
Bewick’s swan Whooper swan Mute swan Greylag Canada goose Tundra bean goose (x3) Shelduck Shoveler Mallard Pintail Gadwall Wigeon Teal Ringed teal (escapee) Pochard Tufted duck Moorhen Crane x 4 (Friends hide) Great egret Cattle egret (following sheep o
15 January 2019