Welney news
Swan numbers increase sharply!
Whooper swans by Heather Lowe This week we have witnessed a definite swanfall at Welney. From less than 100 birds at the start of the week, we now have 2,000 winter visitors, most of which are roosting on the main l
22 October 2016
Crane flock increases in number and becomes more regular on the reserve!
Crane family by Jane Rowe Since the start of October the crane flock has grown, so that we now have 17 individuals regularly using the reserve for roosting over night and feeding during the day. Visitors are getting
13 October 2016
Whoopers have arrived!
Great news everyone, whooper swans have arrived at Welney!! There are at least 7 non residents, all having a well derserved rest on Lady Fen. Bring on the swan season!! Also seen today: Wigeon Teal Great White Egret Snipe Ruff Cettis Warbler Pintail Gad
2 October 2016
Reserve access 7-8 October
We are having some major works carried out near the main observatory on Friday 7 October to Saturday 8 October. This means that there will be no access to the hides from midday on the Friday and for the whole of Saturday. We will be opening up a sign-po
30 September 2016
Marsh harrier with tags spotted
Marsh harrier being tagged by Hawk & Owl Trust by Andy Thompson Marsh harriers are seen regularly on our reserve as their favourite hunting grounds are wetlands and reedbeds. A closer look at this individual revea
27 September 2016
Todays Sightings
Crane x 3 - Lyle Hide Temmincks Stint- Friends Little Stint - Friends Greenshank Green Sandpiper Peregrine Falcon Hobby Ruff Little Ringed Plover
4 September 2016
Sigthings Saturday 3rd September
All hides and Summer walk are open apart from Allport hide which remains closed. Temminck's stint Little stint (Both of above can be seen from Lyle hide feeding together this morning) Common sandpiper Greenshank Green sandpiper Little ringed plover Ringed
3 September 2016
Rare sawfly found
Willow sawfly larvae by Annabelle Hammond Earlier this month our volunteer, Annabelle Hammond, found this awesome caterpillar whilst managing some of the willow. It turned out to be a very rare species called the wi
22 August 2016
Water at Friends pool
Water levels are now back to normal on our Friends pool. This addition of water over the top of freshly rotivated mud will be a combination that birds will find hard to resist! Plenty of feeding opportunities for hungry travellers, it will be interestin
19 August 2016
House martin & swallow spectacle
The house martins and swallows have had a busy breeding season on the reserve this summer; but it's not over yet! Juveniles from early broods are now feeding on the wing alongside the adults. They can't roost in the nests as there is not enough room, so
18 August 2016
Reserve management works
Currently the water levels have been lowered on the pools in front of our Nelson-Lyle, Lyle and Friends hides. This is to allow the reserve team access to create the prefect conditions for birds passing through in late summer and autumn, as well as bird
15 August 2016
Joy at rare wading bird success
Black-tailed godwit pair fencing by Jon Reeves The successful fledging of eight black-tailed godwit chicks at WWT Welney is the highlight of a brilliant, if at times unusual, breeding season. ‘Gary’ the godwit wit
24 June 2016
New behaviour witnessed for rare wading bird
Black-tailed godwit male by Emma Brand Staff monitoring the black-tailed godwits at WWT Welney Wetland Centre; have discovered a male individual with two female partners for the first time. These normally monogamous b
16 June 2016
Bridge ramp maintenance 23-25 May
The ramp at the reserve end of the bridge is being repaired Mon 23 - Wed 25 May. There will only be access to the reserve via the steps down from the bridge. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but have scheduled these dates so as to avoid the ba
20 May 2016
Breeding bird surveys begin
Over the next three months the reserve team will be busy recording and monitoring all the breeding bird activity on our wetlands. This morning saw the start of the first breeding bird survey (BBS), and what a wonderful start to the season. Not a breath
20 April 2016