Experience the Spectacle of Severn Waders at Slimbridge this September
WWT Slimbridge are joining forces with shorebird conservation specialists, Wader Quest to celebrate and spread the word of enigmatic wading birds on the River Severn, with the first ever Severn Wader Festival.
On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September the expert reserve team will be on hand to enthuse and delight visitors with a weekend of informative and enjoyable activities, all aimed at inspiring generations, old and new, to discover new appreciation and take action for precious wading bird species.
Scott Petrek, Slimbridge Reserve Warden said:
“The River Severn provides a vital lifeline for waders passing through and attracts large numbers to Slimbridge. This is why we’re so excited to be sharing this annual spectacle with visitors and celebrating the importance of the River Severn with our first ever Wader Festival. It’s the perfect opportunity to inspire and delight, giving both expert and amateur birders a glimpse into the wonderful world of waders.”
“We’ve had a fantastic response to the festival already, and tickets for specialist activities are selling fast but there’ll be so much to see and do; getting to know the reserve with experts and hearing about worldwide conservation campaigns from people at the heart of the action will also be highlights.”
One-off special events held over the weekend include:
High Tide Safari – SOLD OUT!
Bird Watching Morning - Wader Special – Follow in the Warden’s footsteps in this early morning first look at the site’s wading birds. Learn how to identify birds from their seasonal plumage, then enjoy breakfast in the Kingfisher Kitchen.
Meet the Experts – Attend seminars with wader experts from across the UK. Highlights include a Wader Quest special, black-tailed godwits with Jenny Gill and the worldwide plight of spoon-billed sandpipers with Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
Meet the Birds of Wader Shore – See avocet, ruff and redshank up close at the Wader Shore exhibit. Learn more about these amazing birds with the help of a team of experienced volunteers.
Guides in Hides – Guides will be stationed at the South Lake Discovery Hide, Peng Observatory and Zeiss Hide throughout the day to help distinguish between those pesky lookalikes and add new ‘ticks’ to your bird list.
Wader Watching Mornings are bookable on the WWT Slimbridge website in advance of the festival but all other activities are included in admission fee to the wetland centre.
For more information go online.
