Sightings - Arundel

Lapwing chicks fledge

Lapwing chicks fledge

Mute swan cygnets hatch out, gadwall ducklings too, and sand martins at the hide.

3 June 2019

Singing cuckoo & a stunning small copper

Singing cuckoo & a stunning small copper

A cuckoo in the reedbeds, sand martins and house martins visiting, singing warblers and a butterfly count.

20 May 2019

Singing and nesting

Singing and nesting

This wren is singing near its nest box on Wetland Secrets on Sunday. Our first dragonflies emerged over the weekend weekend and we have a butterfly species returning after an absence of three years - the grizzled skipper.

13 May 2019

Moth morning

Moth morning

Last week's moth traps attracted brimstone moth, brindled beauty (pictured), early grey, mocha moth and oak tree pug.Recent sightings by WWT wardens include:Mon 29 AprilArun Riverlife: 7 tufted ducks, 1 shelduck, 5 gadwall, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 lapwings

29 April 2019

Lapwing chicks wander wet grasslands

Lapwing chicks wander wet grasslands

There are lovely lapwing chicks now in three spots on the wetland reserve. Three females have been spotted with at least one chick each at from the Lapwing hide. Across from the Ramsar hide two chicks have been spotted. If you use your binoculars you may

24 April 2019

Wildfowl paired up and nesting

Wildfowl paired up and nesting

Manadarin duck in the woodland loop gives a yawn. Photo: Romney Turner.Cetti's warblers and sedge warblers singing onsite. Reed bunting spotted in reedbed. Great spotted woodpecker and green woodpeckers seen in the Woodlnd Loop.Four lapwing chicks were sp

14 April 2019

Goslings, ducklings and chicks hatching out

Goslings, ducklings and chicks hatching out

We had our first clutch of greylag goslings wandering the reserve this week. We've seen a few mallard families about and some newly hatched moorehen chicks were spotted in the Long Ditch.Regular visitor Romney Turner photographed this fly-over of the Oyst

8 April 2019

Sand martins trickling through

Sand martins trickling through

Small groups of sand martins have been stopping off checking out the nesting holes in our artificial nesting bank. A pair of blue tits are nesting in the swallow terrace among our outdoor nest box display.The boat drivers have spotted several grass snake

2 April 2019

Toad migration and lapwing displays

Toad migration and lapwing displays

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre Reserve manager Paul Stevens and Wildfowl & Wetlands staff have been staying late to rescue toads crossing the road, moving them onto the safety of the wetland reserve. Mill Road in front of the wetland centre is an active toad

5 March 2019

Brimstones emerge in springlike  temperatures

Brimstones emerge in springlike temperatures

A firecrest hunts insect Photo: Romney TurnerEarly signs of spring are all around Arundel Wetland Centre. Brimstone butterflies began appearing last week. The sulphur yellow males emerge first from their winter hibernation, waiting for females who emerg

25 February 2019

Some spring behaviours despite winter temps

Some spring behaviours despite winter temps

We are seeing few spring behaviours from some wildlife. A male barn owl seems to be courtship feeding a female, male lapwing was displaying, a great tit was singing and a solo toad seemed to have started his migration.Cold winter temperatures have kept th

28 January 2019

Cold snap brings in more wildfowl

Cold snap brings in more wildfowl

Morning wildlife sightings from WWT wardens and WWT Guides for Arundel Wetland Centre Jan 18-20

22 January 2019

Wigeon grazing thanks to summer sheep

Wigeon grazing thanks to summer sheep

Male wigeon On Sunday afternoon I counted 11 wigeon across from the Ramsar hide. Four were up on the cut, grazing on the fresh grass. Droppings from the Jacob’s sheep we had grazing this wet meadow last summer have added nutrients to the soil bringing

14 January 2019

Bewick's swans arrive

Bewick's swans arrive

  On Thursday morning I arrived early in time to count 10 Bewick’s swans leaving Arundel Wetland Centre at around 8 am. In the group a lone adult was traveling with three juvenile swans. These youngsters would have hatched this year, visiting the

7 January 2019

Lots of snipe and a some lapwing

Lots of snipe and a some lapwing

Snipe tucked into the reeds in front of the Ramsar hide Photo: Richard Allan Recent sightings by WWT wardens at Arundel Wetland Centre. Dec 24 Ramsar hide: 90 snipe, 11 lapwing, 2 wigeon, 2 peregrine, and 18 pochard.

31 December 2018