News
Visitors view spoon-billed sandpipers at Slimbridge for first time
Thirteen spoon-billed sandpipers, one of the world’s most endangered birds, have now completed their quarantine and been moved to WWT Slimbridge. From tomorrow, the birds will be viewable by Slimbridge visitors via a live CCTV link. At 2.30pm daily, a l
19 December 2011
See some real Christmas quackers at Slimbridge
Father Christmas will be greeting families at Slimbridge Wetland Centre this December. Over the weekends of December 3 & 4 and 10 & 11 there will be a Breakfast with Father Christmas event in the mornings followed by a grotto in the afternoon. Fa
29 November 2011
Hello Seren!
A very special little bird made an understated entrance this week. You may have read about the bizarre transferral of one very special egg to Llanelli back in the summer... This egg contained the hopefully healthy embryo of a Lesser flamingo, and it despe
18 November 2011
Is it a plane, is it a bird, it's both of them!
High flyers of the future learned all about birds and planes at Slimbridge Wetland Centre on Monday 14-November 2011. Airbus graduates from Filton and the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) education team ran a “bird vs plane” activities da
16 November 2011
A pictorial treat from the aviaries.
I just had to post this photo... I am never satisfied with my pictures of Hooded Merganser, and just as I pressed the button on this one; the Bufflehead popped up out of the water. Despite the chill, most eclipse plumage species are just getting in a bit
4 November 2011
The excitement builds ...
There’s a certain air of anticipation around the centre this morning – almost like the calm before the storm, but with a heavy chunk of excitement! Yesterday was a hive of activity on site, with cables laid, lights rigged, sets built and, when darknes
4 November 2011
Eric! Down developments and filter feeding...
This gorgeous snap shot shows just how much the chicks are maturing in advance of the winter. Their post hatch down is now being pushed out by the emerging secondary down. This soft grey layer is sumptuously soft, ever so unctuous, and I just love sinkin
1 November 2011
Wild stars of Autumnwatch swoop into Slimbridge
Like many big stars they kept us waiting but this morning the first Bewick’s swans touched down at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. The much-loved swans return each year after spending the summer in Arctic Russia. They are due to play a major role in the
28 October 2011
Eric! Look at them grow!
The Erics just won't stop growing! At 600g plus, they are now on four feeds a day of 60g each. Best of all, they are now feeding free-standing. No longer do we need to prise open that beak; they squeal excitedly, desperately trying to get that elusive rub
24 October 2011
Eric! A trip to the beach
Well, not quite the beach... The three babes are now getting on for 500g, and spend much of their time clamouring for more food. Their distinct personalities are showing through well. Number 1 is (to me) perfection! (She) is ever so statuesque, graceful
20 October 2011
Autumnwatch comes to Slimbridge!
Autumnwatch will be tracking the very best of wildlife action from Slimbridge Wetland Centre in November. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, Slimbridge is one of Europe’s finest wetlands and boasts some wonder
7 October 2011
Eric!! The flamingo take over
As you may already have seen in the paper or on the news, we are hand-rearing 3 Chilean Flamingo chicks! After a wet patch in mid August, several of the female Chileans were a little late in settling down to lay their eggs. Whether it was because the pare
5 October 2011
Staff handrear baby flamingos hatched too late to be loved
A Chilean flamingo chick Three flamingo babies are being handreared by workers at an attraction in Gloucestershire after they hatched out of season. The Chilean flamingo eggs hatched a month later than the norm leadin
5 October 2011
Some last minute specials!
The birds are trying as hard as they can to keep the season going. From a late clutch of Abyssinian blue-winged geese delivered courtesy of Rosemary Sharp, to a late clutch of African white-backs in our breeding aviaries. I just love both species. The Ab
1 October 2011
Treasure trove of rarities is a delight for twitchers
I’ve got my eye on you! Birdwatchers line up their telescopes to view the birds out on the Reserve Rare birds lured a flock of birdwatchers to a nature reserve in Gloucestershire over the weekend. A buff-breasted sa
28 September 2011