Welney news
Dawn swan count
This morning we conducted our February swan count and found there to be 1,829 Bewick’s swans and 2,000 whooper swans on the WWT section of the Ouse Washes. This indicates that the first few swans have started their spring migrations, we will soon see
14 February 2017
WeBS Count 13 Feb 17
Great Crested Grebe 1 Cormorant 2 Great White Egret 1 Grey Heron 6 Mute Swan 32 Bewick's Swan 91 Whooper Swan 88 Greylag 75 Canada Goose 3 Shelduck 6 Wigeon 4743 Teal 516 Mallard 670 Pintail 72 Shoveler 92 Pochard 555 Tufted Duck 74 Moorhen 9 Coot 615 Lap
13 February 2017
Reserve access
All hides and footpaths are open. There is some standing water on the path to Reedbed hide, resulting in no scooter travel along this one path and wellies needed or you can skirt around it with sturdy shoes.
9 February 2017
Partnership works to keep swans in the air
This winter further measures are being taken to reduce the chances of swans flying into overhead power lines, which result in unnecessary deaths or serious injury. Co-operative working between WWT Welney Wetland Centre and UK Power Networks means that p
31 January 2017
Aerial filming of WWT Welney
Very few people get to see a bird’s eye view of our wetlands for real. But thanks to our local aerial filming specialists Sky Vertical we’ve captured some fantastic clips of the landscape for you to enjoy. This clip shows you the visitor centre, Lady
28 January 2017
Water rail winter viewings
Water rail by Ray Mathias Easier to spot in cold weather, the secretive water rail has been out on show this week. These brilliant views were from the North Wing Hide (luckily this is right next to our heated hide).
27 January 2017
Glaucous gull - winter visitor
Glaucous gull by Ray Mathias When the marsh harrier is away, the gull.....gets its lunch? This glaucous gull is a winter visitor to the UK. Even this youngster is huge in size, it is worth checking through the gul
26 January 2017
Interesting tail fanning behaviour in snipe
Snipe tail fan display Kim Tarsey Fanning in winter; surely it’s too cold for that?! Look at these snipe fanning their tails to one another on the ice. It is very unusual to see this, let alone film it, as snipe ar
25 January 2017
Dawn swan count
Sunrise over WWT Welney This morning we conducted our January swan count and found there to be 2,413 Bewick's swans and 2,385 whooper swans on the WWT section of the Ouse Washes. This means that Bewick's swan number
17 January 2017
Main hide works Wed 4-Fri 6 January
These works have now been completed to put in place new flooring to the middle section of this hide. Swan feeds will take place as normal using the remaining space in the main hide and the two wing hides, with a commentary and birds being fed in front o
3 January 2017
Winter wildlife spectacle
The reserve is looking fantastic at the moment with over 16,000 birds counted on the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) yesterday. Due to the foggy/overcast conditions there were even 72 Bewick's swans who stayed on the reserve rather than venturing out into th
20 December 2016
Leho arrives home for Christmas
Leho the GPS tagged Bewick's swan Earlier this month a second GPS tagged Bewick's swan, Leho, arrived back at WWT Welney. She is the third GPS tagged Bewick's swan to arrive back in the UK after Daisy Clarke and Ma
14 December 2016
Have you been to an evening swan feed yet?
Badger at the floodlit swan feed The evening floodlit swan feeds are the best chance to see large numbers of swans at a feed, as the swans have returned from the surrounding fields where they have spent the day feedin
2 December 2016
Wader spectacle building
Black-tailed godwit flock by Heather Lowe Over the weekend water levels have risen, bringing many of the wading birds closer to the hides, as well as more birds arriving. This is creating a hive of activity on the i
29 November 2016
Summer review
Cattle leaving On Friday we said goodbye to the last herd of cattle as they returned to their farm. To give you an idea of the summer management carried out on the reserve by staff, volunteers, contractors and lives
24 November 2016