News
Sand martin nest bank reopens
We have opened our sand martin nest bank again, now that the birds have reared their first broods. We kept it closed for a few weeks this year to see if the reduction in noise increased the number of pairs nesting, but it doesn't seem to h
6 June 2014
Chris and Bill come to Barnes
Chris Packham and Bill Oddie were here recently for an interview in this week's Radio Times to launch Springwatch. It's a fascinating article, covering the highs and lows of conservation. Luckily they both claimed London Wetland Centre as one of the main
28 May 2014
Pond dipping for adults
On Monday we start our popular pond dipping sessions for adults again. You may find a diving beetle, a newt or a caddisfly larvae and our team will be on hand to tell you about the creatures' behaviours and habitats. No previous knowledge is required, the
27 May 2014
What animals will you encounter?
Our Animal Encounters week kicks off tomorrow and we're aiming to show you some of the weird and wonderful wildlife that lives here which is a bit harder to spot than the ducks and other birds. Join us and who knows, you might see a stag beetle like thi
23 May 2014
Animal Encounters
Animal Encounters at WWT London Wetland Centre Meet some of our mysterious wildlife – flying pink elephants and mini-dragons! Did you know that hidden here at WWT London Wetland Centre there are flying pink elephants? It’s easy to spot the ducks whi
22 May 2014
Nick Baker and Tony Juniper podcast
Nick Baker, naturalist and TV presenter, introduces some easy animal tracking tips. Learning more about animal tracking can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the natural world. And Tony Juniper, eco-campaigner and writer, explains the importance of wetlan
12 September 2013
London Wetland Centre home to deadly duel in the undergrowth
Conehead cricket being stalked across southern England by a spider with a cavalier attitude to lunch On the surface all seems calm at this tranquil nature reserve but down in the grass a dramatic battle is raging between two fascinating animals, a bright
28 August 2013
Nick Baker, nature tracker
Nick Baker Wildlife watching talk, Sunday 1 September Springwatch presenter Nick Baker will be giving a special talk at WWT London Wetland Centre on tracking wildlife: how to find out what animals are up to even when they can’t be seen! Every
22 August 2013
Perfect Pond Season - 3
Guest blog by Nick Oliver The Perfect Pond Season was our way of marking the British Ecological Society’s Festival of Ecology. For seven weeks we went wild about all things pond. From fresh water sampling and reedbed walks for older children and adults,
15 August 2013
Wetlands in bloom: record orchid display on the reserve
It’s been another good year for orchids on the reserve with best counts yet so far for Southern Marsh Orchid, Bee Orchid and Pyramidal Orchid. This chart (click to enlarge) shows how well they’re doing. The Dactylorhiza x grandis in the chart refers
8 August 2013
Shovelers breed at WWT London Wetland Centre for the first time
You wait for 13 years... then 3 come along at once! Shoveler brood - Mike Caiden Visitors at WWT London Wetland Centre have been enjoying watching Shoveler ducklings out on the reserve’s lakes this summer.
30 July 2013
Perfect Pond Season - 2
Guest blog by Nick Oliver Four weeks into the Perfect Pond Season and not much has changed with our pond succession experiment. The basin, up on the bank in Pond Zone, was dug back in April and filled with rain water collected in a water butt, and left
24 July 2013
Perfect Pond Season - 1
Guest blog by Nick Oliver We’re two weeks into our Perfect Pond Season, part of the British Ecological Society’s Festival of Ecology, which marks their centenary year. Visitors have enjoyed the opportunity to join in with our freshwater surveys across
4 July 2013
Record breakers: WWT London Wetland Centre’s First Eleven
Mute Swan with 11 cygnets - Lee Smith A pair of mute swans at WWT London Wetland Centre has broken a record by hatching 12 cygnets. In our 13 year history this is the highest number of cygnets recorded for one pair of
22 June 2013
The intriguing world of invertebrates
A variety of fascinating insects and other small invertebrates have been out and about, making the most of the warmer weather at WWT London Wetland Centre. Mother Shipton moth (Philip Briggs) and Mother Shipton The Mo
19 June 2013