News
Sri Lankan Government announces wetland protection after WWT collaboration
Colombo’s citizens will reap the many benefits of healthy wetlands after the Sri Lankan government vowed to protect them. Thanks to WWT, and the local partners we work, with the capital’s wetlands have been formally recognised for the natural role th
6 September 2018
Bewick's cygnet numbers in Arctic early sign of bumper breeding season
Our experts made the exciting discovery during their annual 2000-mile trip to the Arctic to ring the critically endangered birds. After spotting just one cygnet last year, Conservation Scientist Kane Brides and Reserve Warden David Dinsley sighted 24 c
31 August 2018
Water Vole Monitoring
This month we have started to install water vole rafts in some of the freshwater ditches across the reserve. Using marine plywood and fencing pins to create platforms that the water vole can use as feeding stations or territory markers. We can then survey
31 August 2018
Dragonfly Training
This summer we were lucky enough to have had Dave Smallshire from the British Dragonfly Society on the reserve to record dragonflies and damselflies. In preparation for future years, Dave also included the training up of members of staff and volunteers al
30 August 2018
The Comeback Crane
A total of three young cranes have been raised at a nature reserve in Gloucestershire marking the most successful so year of an ambitious re-introduction project. The youngsters have been practicing flying at WWT Slimbridge where 93 cranes were hand-re
30 August 2018
New Learning Zone website for teachers planning 'wild' trips
Teachers planning immersive, educational trips in the natural environment now have an invaluable resource at their fingertips, WWT’s new Learning Zone website. The new site is a one-stop shop of unique resources and ideas for all ages. Teachers can use
29 August 2018
A BIG thank you to our volunteers
This week we had our summer thank you day for Steart Marshes volunteers, in recognition of all the skills and many hours of hard work they bring to the team. After meeting at Steart for car-sharing, we all headed over to Stowey Woods for a walk led by ou
10 August 2018
Heatwave makes flamingos broody for first time in 15 years
The rare flock of Andean flamingos at WWT Slimbridge have become foster parents to chicks from their near-relatives, Chilean flamingos, after the hot spell triggered them to lay their first eggs since 2003. The record-breaking temperatures sparked six
9 August 2018
Exotic spider discovered during WWT species survey as part of Salt Hill Playday
A wasp spider – a species relatively new to the UK – was uncovered during a survey to discover local animals and plants as part of the Salt Hill event. The striking arachnid with yellow and black stripes was first recorded on the island in the 1920
7 August 2018
WWT submits Environment Bill proposals
WWT has urged the Government to give legal backing to its promise to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. Responding to the Government’s consultation on post-Brexit legal protections, we say a new Bill should contain strong
3 August 2018
WWT Snapshot July 2018
Thank you to everyone who has donated, joined, visited, volunteered and supported WWT this year in so many ways. You are supporting huge amounts of conservation work around the world. Here's just a sample of what you've helped to achieve in the last th
2 August 2018
Rare plant with roots in south returns to Arundel after century's absence
A total of 400 triangular club-rushes have been planted over an area of 20 square metres which will be managed by WWT at Arundel Wetland Centre to reverse the hands of time and encourage the shrub to seed.
2 August 2018
Changes to UK farming unlikely to have affected Bewick's swans
Changes to UK farming practices probably didn’t cause a crash in the number of Bewick’s swans, according to new research from WWT. The Bewick’s swan population fell by nearly 40 per cent between 1995 and 2010. The swans feed largely in farmers’
31 July 2018
Think pink! WWT's Paul Rose tells us why his job is flamin-good
Famous for their flamboyancy, few can argue that the flamingo isn’t one of the most fascinating animals on earth. With their hot pink plumage, fabulous dancing skills, upside down beaks and one-legged stance, they make great birds to study. Our very ow
25 July 2018
Chris Packham's Caerlaverock visit unearths unusual discovery
A rare bug - never recorded in Scotland before – was discovered during Chris Packham’s Caerlaverock visit. Two rare saucer bugs, Ilyocoris cimicoides, were spotted by eagle-eyed local expert naturalist, Bob Merritt in a pond on the reserve. Up unti
24 July 2018