News

The only black-winged stilts to hatch in the UK this year have successfully fledged in Somerset

The only black-winged stilts to hatch in the UK this year have successfully fledged in Somerset

A trio of black-winged stilt chicks have flown the nest at WWT Steart Marshes, where to the disbelief of conservationists, they hatched last month. This is the first time the rare wader has ever nested at the reserve and it is the most western point in

25 August 2020

WWT welcomes new Chair, Barnaby Briggs

WWT welcomes new Chair, Barnaby Briggs

This week, Barnaby Briggs was elected Chair of WWT by a unanimous vote from his fellow Trustees He steps into the role previously held by Peter Day who sadly passed away in July. Barnaby brings with him extensive experience from the conservation and en

21 August 2020

Swans reserve aggression for each other, new research has found

Swans reserve aggression for each other, new research has found

Despite their hostile reputations, swans ruffle each other's feathers rather than other birds, according to a study commissioned by WWT and the University of Exeter. Of all three swan species observed; whooper, Bewick’s and mute swans were most frequen

18 August 2020

WWT joins coalition calling for long-term plan for England's beavers

WWT joins coalition calling for long-term plan for England's beavers

The Government should allow wild beavers to remain in England and expand naturally through river catchments, with robust local management and monitoring of the animals, say members of a coalition which includes WWT. The call for an English Beaver Strateg

17 August 2020

WWT receives funding for ground-breaking Generation Wild initiative from ScottishPower Foundation

WWT receives funding for ground-breaking Generation Wild initiative from ScottishPower Foundation

New project will help connect young people with wetlands and nature.

12 August 2020

Chair of Council, Dr Peter Day

Chair of Council, Dr Peter Day

It was with deep sadness that we received the tragic news that our Chair of Council, Dr Peter Day, passed away on 19 July. WWT has lost one its most passionate and devoted supporters: as a volunteer for over 20 years at the London Wetland Centre, as a Tr

7 August 2020

Changes to planning process could accelerate nature's decline, warns environmental coalition

Changes to planning process could accelerate nature's decline, warns environmental coalition

Ahead of the Government’s proposed changes to planning processes, to be published tomorrow 6 August, environment groups including WWT are warning that radical reform of the planning system could mean sweeping losses of nature, unless critical environmen

6 August 2020

Experience wetlands and wildlife from around the world at WWT centres this summer

Experience wetlands and wildlife from around the world at WWT centres this summer

WWT centres all set for visitors this summer.

4 August 2020

Castle Espie Wetland Centre teams up with Maghaberry Prison for Rehabilitation Programme

Castle Espie Wetland Centre teams up with Maghaberry Prison for Rehabilitation Programme

Like most businesses across Northern Ireland, Castle Espie Wetland Centre was closed to visitors throughout lockdown, yet behind the scenes work continued to maintain the wetland site.

30 July 2020

Our response to George Eustice's Green Recovery speech

Our response to George Eustice's Green Recovery speech

In response to the Secretary of State for the Environment, George Eustice MP's speech this morning, WWT's Director of Conservation, Dr James Robinson, said, We welcome the Secretary of State's ambition to put nature at the centre of a green recove

20 July 2020

Castle Espie accredited with UK wide COVID-19 safety standard

Castle Espie accredited with UK wide COVID-19 safety standard

At Castle Espie the safety of our staff and visitors is a priority.

15 July 2020

Rare wading bird breeds at Somerset reserve in miracle first

Rare wading bird breeds at Somerset reserve in miracle first

A rare pair of black-winged stilts have successfully bred chicks at WWT Steart Marshes for the first time ever.

10 July 2020

Castle Espie Wetland Centre to re-open on 7 July

Castle Espie Wetland Centre to re-open on 7 July

We are pleased to announce that Castle Espie Wetland Centre will re-open on Wednesday 7 July

30 June 2020

Human swan calls for lead shot ban ahead of EU vote

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

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