News
Enfield schoolchildren see designs for new wetland nature reserve become reality
The Prince of Wales Open Space was unveiled to the public this week after undergoing a dramatic makeover with the help of local kids. The event was hosted by Enfield Borough Council, Thames Water and WWT who teamed up to breathe new life into the negle
1 October 2018
A Day in the Life of Sarah-Jane - Practical Reserves Volunteer
Steart has been one of my favourite stamping grounds for quite some time now. The openness and tranquillity make it the perfect place to restore the soul, fill your lungs with clean air and, of course, see some of our amazing wildlife. It had never really
28 September 2018
The Global Wetland Outlook: Wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than natural forests, warns the Ramsar Convention's report ahead of a global meeting on protecting the world’s wetlands in 2018. Wetlands are as essential for our water as forests are for our air.
27 September 2018
Fish and chips: Eels microchipped to track species on the brink
Wild eels are being microchipped, similar to the way people microchip their pets, in an attempt by conservationists from WWT to better understand their activity. The study at Slimbridge in South Gloucester will allow scientists to monitor how eels are
27 September 2018
A Day in the Life of Megan - Practical Reserve Volunteer
The trill of the alarm clock at 8am on a Sunday morning may not appeal to everyone, however not everyone gets to spend their free time volunteering at Steart Marshes (unless you decide to after reading this of course!). The excitement of the days challeng
13 September 2018
Sri Lankan Government announces wetland protection after WWT collaboration
Colombo’s citizens will reap the many benefits of healthy wetlands after the Sri Lankan government vowed to protect them. Thanks to WWT, and the local partners we work, with the capital’s wetlands have been formally recognised for the natural role th
6 September 2018
Bewick's cygnet numbers in Arctic early sign of bumper breeding season
Our experts made the exciting discovery during their annual 2000-mile trip to the Arctic to ring the critically endangered birds. After spotting just one cygnet last year, Conservation Scientist Kane Brides and Reserve Warden David Dinsley sighted 24 c
31 August 2018
Water Vole Monitoring
This month we have started to install water vole rafts in some of the freshwater ditches across the reserve. Using marine plywood and fencing pins to create platforms that the water vole can use as feeding stations or territory markers. We can then survey
31 August 2018
Dragonfly Training
This summer we were lucky enough to have had Dave Smallshire from the British Dragonfly Society on the reserve to record dragonflies and damselflies. In preparation for future years, Dave also included the training up of members of staff and volunteers al
30 August 2018
The Comeback Crane
A total of three young cranes have been raised at a nature reserve in Gloucestershire marking the most successful so year of an ambitious re-introduction project. The youngsters have been practicing flying at WWT Slimbridge where 93 cranes were hand-re
30 August 2018
New Learning Zone website for teachers planning 'wild' trips
Teachers planning immersive, educational trips in the natural environment now have an invaluable resource at their fingertips, WWT’s new Learning Zone website. The new site is a one-stop shop of unique resources and ideas for all ages. Teachers can use
29 August 2018
A BIG thank you to our volunteers
This week we had our summer thank you day for Steart Marshes volunteers, in recognition of all the skills and many hours of hard work they bring to the team. After meeting at Steart for car-sharing, we all headed over to Stowey Woods for a walk led by ou
10 August 2018
Heatwave makes flamingos broody for first time in 15 years
The rare flock of Andean flamingos at WWT Slimbridge have become foster parents to chicks from their near-relatives, Chilean flamingos, after the hot spell triggered them to lay their first eggs since 2003. The record-breaking temperatures sparked six
9 August 2018
Exotic spider discovered during WWT species survey as part of Salt Hill Playday
A wasp spider – a species relatively new to the UK – was uncovered during a survey to discover local animals and plants as part of the Salt Hill event. The striking arachnid with yellow and black stripes was first recorded on the island in the 1920
7 August 2018
WWT submits Environment Bill proposals
WWT has urged the Government to give legal backing to its promise to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. Responding to the Government’s consultation on post-Brexit legal protections, we say a new Bill should contain strong
3 August 2018