Latest sightings
Singing and nesting
This wren is singing near its nest box on Wetland Secrets on Sunday. Our first dragonflies emerged over the weekend weekend and we have a butterfly species returning after an absence of three years - the grizzled skipper.
13 May 2019
Moth morning
Last week's moth traps attracted brimstone moth, brindled beauty (pictured), early grey, mocha moth and oak tree pug.Recent sightings by WWT wardens include:Mon 29 AprilArun Riverlife: 7 tufted ducks, 1 shelduck, 5 gadwall, 2 Egyptian geese, 2 lapwings
29 April 2019
Lapwing chicks wander wet grasslands
There are lovely lapwing chicks now in three spots on the wetland reserve. Three females have been spotted with at least one chick each at from the Lapwing hide. Across from the Ramsar hide two chicks have been spotted. If you use your binoculars you may
24 April 2019
Wildfowl paired up and nesting
Manadarin duck in the woodland loop gives a yawn. Photo: Romney Turner.Cetti's warblers and sedge warblers singing onsite. Reed bunting spotted in reedbed. Great spotted woodpecker and green woodpeckers seen in the Woodlnd Loop.Four lapwing chicks were sp
14 April 2019
Goslings, ducklings and chicks hatching out
We had our first clutch of greylag goslings wandering the reserve this week. We've seen a few mallard families about and some newly hatched moorehen chicks were spotted in the Long Ditch.Regular visitor Romney Turner photographed this fly-over of the Oyst
8 April 2019
Sand martins trickling through
Small groups of sand martins have been stopping off checking out the nesting holes in our artificial nesting bank. A pair of blue tits are nesting in the swallow terrace among our outdoor nest box display.The boat drivers have spotted several grass snake
2 April 2019
Toad migration and lapwing displays
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre Reserve manager Paul Stevens and Wildfowl & Wetlands staff have been staying late to rescue toads crossing the road, moving them onto the safety of the wetland reserve. Mill Road in front of the wetland centre is an active toad
5 March 2019
Brimstones emerge in springlike temperatures
A firecrest hunts insect Photo: Romney TurnerEarly signs of spring are all around Arundel Wetland Centre. Brimstone butterflies began appearing last week. The sulphur yellow males emerge first from their winter hibernation, waiting for females who emerg
25 February 2019
Some spring behaviours despite winter temps
We are seeing few spring behaviours from some wildlife. A male barn owl seems to be courtship feeding a female, male lapwing was displaying, a great tit was singing and a solo toad seemed to have started his migration.Cold winter temperatures have kept th
28 January 2019
Cold snap brings in more wildfowl
Morning wildlife sightings from WWT wardens and WWT Guides for Arundel Wetland Centre Jan 18-20
22 January 2019
Wigeon grazing thanks to summer sheep
Male wigeon On Sunday afternoon I counted 11 wigeon across from the Ramsar hide. Four were up on the cut, grazing on the fresh grass. Droppings from the Jacob’s sheep we had grazing this wet meadow last summer have added nutrients to the soil bringing
14 January 2019
Bewick's swans arrive
On Thursday morning I arrived early in time to count 10 Bewick’s swans leaving Arundel Wetland Centre at around 8 am. In the group a lone adult was traveling with three juvenile swans. These youngsters would have hatched this year, visiting the
7 January 2019
Lots of snipe and a some lapwing
Snipe tucked into the reeds in front of the Ramsar hide Photo: Richard Allan Recent sightings by WWT wardens at Arundel Wetland Centre. Dec 24 Ramsar hide: 90 snipe, 11 lapwing, 2 wigeon, 2 peregrine, and 18 pochard.
31 December 2018
Bullfinches brighten up December days
Beautiful male bullfinch eating seeds from leftover summer blackberries near the Wildlife Garden. Pic: Romney Turner A snapshot of sightings from our wardens around the site. (List does not include common garden bird
17 December 2018
Water rails and green woodpecker near Scrape hide
Water rail outside the Scrape hide in the Trumpeters pen. Pic: Romney Turner Snapshot of recent sightings from around the reserves by our wardens (common species like mallards, greylag and Canadian geese an
11 December 2018