News

Pochard's last refuge gets international protection

Pochard's last refuge gets international protection

The world’s rarest duck is one waddle closer to safety after its wetland home was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, by the government of Madagascar. Bemanevika is series of secluded lakes in the remotest corner of the highlands of

6 March 2017

Swan woman has tea with the Russian Ambassador

Swan woman has tea with the Russian Ambassador

WWT’s ‘swan woman’ Sacha Dench had tea with Russian Ambassador, Alexander Yakovenko, yesterday, during which they discussed the protection of endangered wetland birds and possible future collaboration with Russian organisations. The invitation to Sa

3 March 2017

Avian Influenza - updated restrictions

Avian Influenza - updated restrictions

WWT is urging everyone who owns birds to keep supporting national efforts to reduce the spread of avian influenza. The H5N8 strain of the virus has never transferred to humans. But it has caused many deaths in wild and farmed birds across the UK in recent

28 February 2017

I.D. guides issued as swans migrate across Europe

I.D. guides issued as swans migrate across Europe

Simple guides to help people identify different swans are being issued across northern Europe ahead of the migration of the rare Bewick’s swan. The guides have been designed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) after finding that few people know t

28 February 2017

Why new build houses are  a flood risk to existing homes

Why new build houses are a flood risk to existing homes

People’s homes will be at greater risk from flooding by 2020 because new homes will overwhelm existing drains, according to the biggest ever survey of building and flooding professionals. More sustainable drainage systems is the answer.

2 February 2017

Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough celebrate support of lottery players

Prince of Wales and Sir David Attenborough celebrate support of lottery players

WWT’s new Patron, Prince Charles joined WWT Vice-President Sir David Attenborough and Chief Executive Martin Spray at the 2017 People’s Postcode Lottery annual Charity Gala earlier this week, where it was announced that £66.3 million was awarded to c

27 January 2017

Residents clean up polluted stream

Residents clean up polluted stream

A local litter eyesore blighted by drug use and rough sleeping has a new lease of life after 25 local residents turned out over the weekend to clean it up. More than 40 bags of rubbish were cleared from the area opposite the Hindu Temple on Keel Drive. Al

17 January 2017

Gulls, mink and nutrients implicated in pochard decline

Gulls, mink and nutrients implicated in pochard decline

Reasons for the recent decline of common pochard are investigated for the very first time in the latest issue of Wildfowl, the international scientific journal of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). The number of common pochard migrating to the UK fo

16 January 2017

Avian influenza - help birds by keeping clean

Avian influenza - help birds by keeping clean

This winter, birds across Europe are catching bird flu. This strain has never transmitted to humans. But it is a very serious concern for all local birds including you or your neighbours’ poultry or pet birds at home or on the farm. After visiting anywh

6 January 2017

Sacha hands over swan petition at 10 Downing Street

Sacha hands over swan petition at 10 Downing Street

A petition asking the UK Government to help improve the environment for swans and people has been handed over to 10 Downing Street.

21 December 2016

WWT welcomes Royal patronage announcement

WWT welcomes Royal patronage announcement

His Royal Highness Prince Charles is to become the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s new Patron, taking over from Her Majesty The Queen. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Chief Executive, Martin Spray CBE, said: “On behalf of everyone at WWT, I woul

20 December 2016

'Swan lady' Sacha's date with Downing Street

'Swan lady' Sacha's date with Downing Street

Today, just four days after completing her ground-breaking Flight of the Swans expedition, WWT conservationist Sacha Dench will be knocking on the door of 10 Downing Street in London to hand in a petition signed by 13,566 people which calls for the creati

20 December 2016

Celebration day to welcome back the human swan

Celebration day to welcome back the human swan

WWT’s own human swan, conservationist Sacha Dench, has been welcomed back to Slimbridge as she nears the end of her epic 7,000km Flight of the Swans journey.

14 December 2016

Bringing life back to the Salt Hill Stream

Bringing life back to the Salt Hill Stream

The Salt Hill Stream in Montem Park, Slough, is teeming with life after the latest release of 1,000 fish, part of a project involving partners from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slough Borough Council, Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

13 December 2016

Immersive play areas key to getting children involved

Immersive play areas key to getting children involved

Making sure children are involved in nature is key to ensuring the future of wildlife . . . and that message is being wholeheartedly embraced by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) centres at Slimbridge and Castle Espie, where special immersive play areas

1 December 2016