Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) news

Teacher’s Open Day at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre

Tour the reserve and preview the education sessions on Sunday 27 May.

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is holding an Open Day for teachers on Sunday 27 May from noon – 3 pm. Teachers can register in advance to visit the reserve for a tour and a preview of the education sessions on offer. “Our sessions promote learning outside the classroom for all ages and levels of students.” said Claire Drew, Learning Manager for Arundel Wetland Centre.

Learning sessions at Arundel Wetland Centre are themed around questions like What lives in a pond? How and why do birds migrate? and How can buildings help the environment? Education staff at the centre can also create bespoke programs for specific studies, students with special needs and advanced students. Since the Learning Program at WWT Arundel began in 1988, nearly 140,000 pupils have visited the centre.

To register for the Teachers Open Day on May 27, please call Claire Drew on 01903 881524 or email claire.drew@wwt.org.uk

Categories: Nature

Mute swans tower above recent floods

Mute swan nest in flood

As flooding affects the nesting season on the Ouse washes at WWT Welney, one pair of swans are towering above the lapping water.

A determined pair of mute swans are refusing to lose their nest to the flood waters at Welney.  Gathering what vegetation they can find, they are trying to weather the rising waters to continue incubating their eggs and hopefully hatch the cygnets inside.

As a result of the flooding on the Ouse washes this spring the breeding season at Welney has come to a standstill.  But one of the many pairs of mute swans which breed on the reserve is not giving up without a battle.  Since the waters came on they have increased the height of their nest from its origins on the banks of the ditch next to the footpaths.

Mute swans are native to the UK and remain close to their breeding territories all year round.  Visitors can see the mute swans up close in the winter at the swan feeds, during which time the reserve is home to an additional 10,000 swans migrating from more northerly breeding grounds.  But during the summer the whooper swans from Iceland and the Bewick’s swans from Arctic Russia are absent leaving the whole wetland site for the mute swans to use to hatch and raise their cygnets.

‘The water levels have now started to drop, relieving the pressure on this particular pair of mute swans’ says Marketing and Events Officer, Emma Brand.  ‘We hope the levels will continue to drop over the next week or two so that we are ready for the June half term activities, which include pond-dipping, moths on display and biodiversity blitz sessions’.

The water levels are now decreasing with hopes that the reserve will start to open up again to visitors and provide feeding areas for the birds once more.  Updated information on the access on the reserve and what activities are available can be found at www.wwt.org.uk/Welney .

Categories: Nature

Flamingo chicks hatch at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

Six greater flamingo chicks have been born at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

Twenty three eggs have been laid so far this year; so the Grounds team are still expecting many more chicks to hatch in the next week for the award winning Downy Duckling Week, starting Saturday 2 June when visitors can watch and interact with the whole egg to duckling process.

The flamingos, traditionally from the Mediterranean and parts of Africa, nest on bark chippings in their enclosure.  They would usually make mud nests in the wild, but they have grown to prefer bark chippings after they were placed on their Island to assist the breeding of the eider ducks, who were found nesting on the chippings under the slide in the children’s play area.

Centre Manager,Andy Wooldridge, said: “All the greater flamingos that are at Martin Mere have been bred and raised in captivity which makes them very friendly and sociable birds, you can get very close and even hand feed them. It is very unusual for the birds to use bark chippings but great that the chicks have hatched close together as they form a crèche; giving the community the opportunity of seeing the parenting skills of the flamingos whilst the chicks are huddled together”.

The Greater Flamingos are one of six species of flamingos found in the world. They are the least vibrant coloured of the six species, being a pale salmon pink.

Flamingos are very social birds which need to be kept together in a large group in order for them to be happy. At Martin Mere there are currently have 57 greater flamingos and they choose the same partners every year.  A single egg is laid by each pair and both the male and female take it in turns to incubate.  Incubation takes approximately 30 days and all chicks are parent-reared as these social youngsters benefit from being with their mum and dad as well as with each other.  In addition, adult flamingos produce a special crop milk to feed their babies on (- pigeons are the only other bird to do this).  The fluffy chicks grow very quickly (up to 2cm a day) and they are fully-fledged by the age of 3 months.  They are usually grey or white in colouring and it takes approximately 2 to 3 years to obtain full pink plumage.

Come and see them during the award winning Downy Duckling Week from Saturday 2 June to Sunday 10 June.  The week is your unique opportunity to see and discover how some of the rarest ducklings in the world develops inside an egg and breaks free from the shell into a young bird that you can meet whilst exploring the duckling nursery.

Activities include:

• Be amazed to hear and see duck

Categories: Nature

Avocets breed in Gloucestershire for the first time

Adult Avocet with chick taken by James Lees

Conservationists are celebrating after an iconic bird has bred in Gloucestershire for the first time.

A pair of avocets has bred at WWT Slimbridge and two of their young have just hatched, with a further egg potentially hatching.

The wading bird was extinct in Britain for a long time because of habitat destruction and persecution by skin and egg collectors.

However, soon after World War II they started breeding on reclaimed land near the Wash, which was returned to marshland to create difficulties for German invaders.

Since that point numbers have slowly recovered in the UK but this is the first time they have bred in Gloucestershire.

The avocet is popular with birdwatchers as it has attractive black and white plumage and a distinctive upturned beak which allows it to feed well in saltwater by sweeping its head from side to side. This couple has started their young family in view of the Holden Tower, a three storey bird hide overlooking the Severn Estuary at Slimbridge.

Dave Paynter, head of reserve at Slimbridge, said: “This is extremely exciting for Gloucestershire and great for Slimbridge that they have chosen here as a suitable habitat.

Adult Avocet taken by James Lees

“We have been keeping an eye on the nest to ensure there is no disturbance for a long time and took the decision to build a small electrified fence around it recently to try and give them further protection from any predators.

“The next few days and weeks will be critical as they are very vulnerable before they grow a bit bigger.

“We will be keeping our fingers crossed for them and following their progress.”

To find out how they are getting on visit our wildlife sightings page at: www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge-sightings or come to Slimbridge to see the young family in person.

Categories: Nature

Osprey eggs lost!

At the osprey nest, everything had been going well with the incubation until Saturday 12th of May when yet another intruder osprey arrived at the nest. It was a bird with a blue ring with white letters on it’s left leg, butwe did not get a good enough look at it for a positive ID. It now seems that the eggs have been lost or broken in the fracas that took place on the nest on Saturday with the intruder osprey. Sadly no incubation has taken place since that day. Our female is still at the nest all the time but often on the perch on the left of the nest just out of sight of the camera. Male yellow 08 is still bringing in fish for her and we have seen them mating on the nest. Maybe they will try to lay a second clutch of eggs, it is a bit late now but it is still a possibility. We will just have to keep an eye out and see what happens. Nest quiet most of this morning with the female standing on the edge of the nest calling from12.10 to 12.30pm.

Keep watching the live webcam everyday from 10am to 5pm to see what is happening. There will also be regular posts on the blog on that page.

We have also heard of more ospreys arriving in Scotland last weekend with the SW winds and hopefully that will include the female at nearby Threave Estate NTS. maybe even AW will yet appear and the pair from Wigtown bay in the west of the region.

Categories: Nature

The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee with WWT

HM the Queen arrives at the WWT stand

Despite yesterday’s rain and occasional hailstorms The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated the Diamond Jubilee with crowds at a Wild London event in Richmond Park. They arrived at the WWT stand to meet Chief Executive Martin Spray, Chairman Sir George Russell, and WWT London Wetland Centre Manager Martin Senior. The WWT team were delighted to be able to offer shelter to the Royal Party in their marquee during a sudden bout of hail.

The Queen with Jason Debney of Thames Landscape Strategy, Marian Spray, and WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray

Categories: Nature

Only two weeks of the WWT photography competition Spring heat to go!

New Build by Nigel Picknell

These eye-catching new photographs of Britain’s wonderful wildlife show some of the amazing array of wildlife and stunning landscapes that can be seen at WWT’s Welney centre through the seasons.

These are a selection of images from the ever popular Wetland Wildlife category as well as  the winning entries from the previous winter heat of the WWT Photography Competition 2011-2012, held in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary and in association with Canon.

Spring beauty by Tracey Millburn

WWT Welney is most famous for the thousands of wintering wildfowl which use the reserve during the coldest season of the year but as is shown in the spring entries now is just as exciting a time.

Despite the popularity of the Wetland Wildlife category we would like to see more entrants in the other three categories which are: Wetland Landscapes, People & Wildlife and Young Photographer.

“Wetlands are well known for their abundance of wildlife”, Julie Ward, Centre Manager of WWT Welney said. “but in the heart of the Fens we also have some amazing landscapes and ‘skyscapes’.  The reserve at Welney allows a whole range of visitors to connect with nature and in such a safe environment, this can be done from a young age.  So I would urge anyone with an interest in photography to visit and capture what our reserve means to them and enter before the spring heat closes”.

With only two weeks to go until the spring heat closes there are not many opportunities to capture the changeable nature of wetlands at WWT Welney.  This will also be the last chance for those that are new to the competition to be in with a chance of winning a trip to Antarctica by entering at least two of the four seasonal heats.

Welney in winter by Ann Miles winter Wetland Landscapes winner

All the heat winners go through to the competition final which will be judged once the winter, spring and summer heats are complete.  The whole competition closes on 31 August 2012. There are £50,000 worth of prizes up for grabs for the national winners, including wildlife photography and activity holidays.

Entrants who submit images to more than two of the seasonal heats automatically go into the Portfolio Photographer of the Year category, and therefore could be in with a chance of winning the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions.

The summer heat is just around the corner, so now is the time to submit spring stills; photographers can enter their prized pictures taken at WWT Welney online at www.wwt.org.uk/photo until 31 May 2012. Then the summer heat opens 1 June – 31 August 2012 which is when the 2011-2012 competition closes. There will be a prize-giving and winners day at a WWT centre in the autumn.

Categories: Nature

Dixieland Band Jazz it up on Strangford Lough

Music from Bill Cheney and the Bourbon Swing Jazz Band, one of Northern Ireland’s best Dixieland bands will provide the perfect Sunday afternoon while enjoying the best views of Strangford Lough with the sound of summer in the background.  So join us this Sunday (20th May) at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre from 2.30pm through till 4.30pm.

The Bourbon Swing Jazz Band was formed a few years ago by a group of friends who were asked to play together a charity fund raising event. Since then it has evolved, into a band which plays in the New Orleans tradition and draws both capacity crowds and visiting musicians who play alongside at the band’s Thursday night residency at the Parador Hotel, Belfast. Under the leadership of Bill Cheney (trumpet), the band stays faithful to the tradition of the Delta, drawing upon a substantial repertoire of tunes from the early 20th Century with influences including King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. Most of the band has played at international jazz events around the globe, for instance Sacramento USA, Australia, New Zealand, France, Scotland and England.

The Jazz afternoon is included in cost of admission and free to WWT members. 

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve. For further on forthcoming events, conservation campaigns please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie

Categories: Nature

New 50K interactive Pondzone makes a (recycled rainwater!) splash

The secret underwater world of pond creatures is being brought vividly to life, thanks to a new interactive pond dipping exhibit at WWT Washington Wetland Centre.

The 50K Pondzone – which was generously funded by County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT), the Shears Foundation, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, The Percy Hedley 1990 Charitable Trust, the Joicey Trust and The Sir James Knott Trust – opened today, with youngsters from St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided (RCVA) Primary School in Seaham carrying out the very first pond dip.

A high-tech underwater camera allows visitors to discover what lurks beneath a pond’s surface, while a giant viewing tube gives 360 degree, eye-level views of the inhabitants in action; diving, eating, hunting and mating.

WWT Washington’s learning manager Joanne Newbury said: “This is real ‘nature in action’ stuff and is the closest our visitors have ever been able to get to pond creatures such as the great diving beetle (or ‘water tiger’), great diving beetle larvae (or ‘the dragon’) and pond skaters.

“When we run our pond dipping sessions, almost 80% of visitors request one, so these fantastic new facilities are going to be of huge benefit, both in terms of education and boosting the visitor experience.”

In 2011, WWT commissioned a national opinion survey during its ‘Work Your Butt’ campaign, which encouraged people to reuse rainwater for everyday tasks such as washing cars, watering plants and topping up ponds.

The results highlighted a growing awareness and concern about water usage, along with a willingness to do more to reduce flooding and help wildlife.

In the North East, only 16% of those surveyed actually owned a water butt or rain collector; but 53% said they would definitely consider having one, while 61% would think about cultivating plants that naturally soaked up water and 41% would consider installing a ‘green roof’ on their property, to handle excess rainfall.

Joanne added: “These results showed that the will to change our habits in relation to water usage is there and the work that we do here at WWT Washington Wetland Centre aims to help people make that change.

“The new Pondzone illustrates how easily water recycling can be, with features including a rain chain – which collects rainwater to be reused in the dipping ponds – and a small reedbed, which filters out dirt and nutrients from water passing through the hand washing facilities.”

WWT’s survey also found that 42 % of those asked were ‘convinced’ that using water butts and storing water through ponds can help prevent serious flooding; while 25%  were also ‘more concerned’ now than they were five years ago about the shortage of water in gardens and public spaces for wildlife.

“Wetlands are being lost or damaged more rapidly than any other ecosystem,” added Joanne. “These results highlight the increasing importance of WWT’s vital conservation work, which is helping to save wetland habitats worldwide.”

For further details about the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s work to save wetland habitats, please visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetlands-and-wildlife/

Categories: Nature

Wild cranes return to their motherland

The visitors by Paul Marshall

It was a case of the old welcoming the new when adult wild cranes flew back to WWT Slimbridge on Saturday.

The four birds were reared at Slimbridge in 2010 and 2011 before being released into the wild on the Somerset levels as part of the Great Crane Project. The birds flew directly over the Slimbridge Crane School, where they were reared as youngsters.

It is the first time any of the Somerset cranes have returned to Slimbridge.

The cranes spent most of Saturday and Sunday feeding on the Reserve at Slimbridge sleeping each evening on the saltmarsh on the banks of the river Severn .

This is the third year of the Great Crane Project. Each year project staff go out to Germany to collect wild crane eggs which are brought to Slimbridge where they are hatched and the youngsters are reared here ahead of their release three months later in Somerset. This year, for the first time, visitors to Slimbridge can attend a crane talk each day at 2pm from 21 May in the cinema.

Nigel Jarrett, Head of Conservation Breeding, said: “When our staff realised that some of the adult cranes had returned they were overcome with joy. It was like favourite old friends turning up unexpectedly!

“Amy King, who is looking after the baby cranes, did not believe her senses when she first heard, then saw, four cranes flying overhead as she walked the youngsters.

“Time will tell how long they stay here. It is natural for young adult birds to explore, so even though we are 70 miles away from the release site in Somerset, it isn’t a great distance for them to fly.

“ We are delighted that they appear to be finding food easily and a safe place to sleep each evening.”

The birds are Monty, Sedge, Ruby and Beatrice. Three were released in 2010 and one in 2011.

The Great Crane Project is a partnership between WWT, RSPB and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, with major funding from Viridor Credits Environmental Company. Our aim is to restore healthy populations of wild cranes throughout the UK, so that people can once again experience these beautiful birds.

Categories: Nature

See Slimbridge in a whole new light

Waders flying across the Sunset by James Lees

Visitors will have the chance to see a wildlife attraction in a whole new light when it opens its doors on selected summer evenings.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre is having four Afterhours events to allow visitors a unique look at the site.

The first later this month has a musical theme with a jazz ensemble playing and May whistle making demonstrations.

The one on Saturday, May 26  features Swing from Paris who will be playing near welly boot land.

Sally Munro,  marketing manager, said : “Birds and mammals change their behaviour in the evening and just like humans tend to settle down – unless they are nocturnal of course!

Otters at Slimbridge by Dominic Heard

In June there will be one focussed on wildlife which includes a mammal tracking session, in July there will be a relaxation themed one which includes mediation walks and yoga and in August there will be a family themed one with a children’s entertainer and a free canoe safari.

Oxeye Daisies at Slimbridge taken by James Lees

“Slimbridge feels really relaxing and peaceful in the evening and we wanted to give our visitors a chance to experience that, as well as the opportunity to take photos from our hides in the softer evening light.

“All of the four Afterhours events are slightly different so there is be one to appeal to everyone.”

The afterhours events all run from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. The hides will be open for the event and summer refreshments will be available from kiosks in the grounds.

The Musical Afterhours is on 26th May, Wild Afterhours is on 30th June, Relax Afterhours is on 28th July and Fun afterhours is on 25th August.

For further details on ticket prices and how to book see the website www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge  or call 01453 891223

Categories: Nature

WWT London Wetland Centre shortlisted for Countryfile’s ‘Britain’s Favourite Nature Reserve’ Award

WWT London Wetland Centre aerial view - Berkeley Homes

London wildlife reserve WWT London Wetland Centre has been nominated for the ‘Britain’s Favourite Nature Reserve’ category in the prestigious Countryfile Awards 2012.

The Centre, which opened just 12 years ago, was transformed from four concrete-lined reservoirs into an urban wildlife oasis by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). Since May 2000, the reserve has attracted over 200 species of bird as well as numerous reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies and a thriving colony of water voles, the UK’s fastest declining mammal.

It is also a haven for people, with many visitors enjoying a relaxing escape from city life.

Sir David Attenborough considers it “a miracle”. He says: “The London Wetlands: it must be very difficult to think of anywhere that’s better in London, with a greater variety of species and wonderful things to see.”

And he’s not the only wildlife broadcaster to be entranced by WWT London Wetland Centre. Simon King says “I’ve known the London Wetland Centre for some time, and it is a unique oasis, I adore it. Its a fabulous, natural, beautiful splash of green and water in the middle of the city.” Kate Humble calls the reserve “an oasis in the middle of London”, and to Chris Packham it “brings to millions of people the opportunity to encounter wildlife up close.”

Martin Senior, General Manager at the Centre, said “We are delighted to be in the running for this award. This means a lot to our team of staff and volunteers who work hard all year round to provide the perfect habitat for wildlife and a great day out for our visitors.”

The top ten nature reserves were chosen by wildlife experts Stephen Moss and Dominic Couzens, and the final decision on a winner now rests with the public.

You can vote for WWT London Wetland Centre to win by visiting www.countryfile.com/awardsvote .

Other categories include the nation’s favourite regional dish, Britain’s favourite market town, Favourite countryside TV presenter and Best conservation project. Voting closes on 1 June 2012.

WWT is also delighted that another of its Wetland Centres, WWT Caerlaverock, in Dumfriesshire, has also been included in the nominations.

Image – Berkeley Homes.

Categories: Nature

The Natural World from a Woman’s Perspective

On Saturday 19th May at 2pm, Castle Espie Gallery, one of Northern Ireland’s premier environmental art spaces, will be opening the doors to ‘Natural Forms’, an exhibition by the Ulster Society of Women Artists (U.S.W.A.).

The U.S.W.A. was founded in 1957 by the artist Gladys Maccabe. Today it has a thriving membership of over one hundred and twenty professional and semi professional artists, representing a wide variety of styles and media by painters, sculptors and other visual artists. All  have shown exceptional skills over a period of time, and have been awarded “Diploma” status.

‘Natural Forms’  will run from Saturday 19th May to Sunday 10th  June, 2012, and showcases work from several of the Diploma holders in the society.   Artist Patricia Burgess highlights, “My lifelong fascination with pattern and colour sometimes leads me to explore more abstract forms and perspectives as in this series of bird’s eye views of the landscape.”

Artist Libby Mulqueeny says, “Harbours, fishing boats, and all things related to the sea are a magnet for me.  I love loose watercolours where the colours flow, but also tight detail, so it’s a balancing act to combine them in various ways.”

Finally artist Oonagh Catchpole says, “Texture and colour have always been important in my work. In my paintings I use mixed media and incorporate hessian, string, beads, newsprint, and even rusty nails, to add interest and make the work three dimensional.”

The U.S.W.A welcomes all visitors and hope they enjoy the beautiful work on show.

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve.  For further information on this exhibition, forthcoming events, conservation campaigns please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.

Categories: Nature

Grant success at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre has been successful in receiving funding from the Lancashire County Council, Local Member Grant Scheme to bring care home residents to Martin Mere for free.

Over the past month, care home residents from all over West Lancashire have been coming to Martin Mere for an experience to help improve their health and wellbeing as well as being educational.  They have had guided walks, had talks on the otters, beavers or swans and simply relaxed outdoors.  Pictured are some residents from Stocks Hall Residential Home along with Councillor May Blake and Ellie Wooldridge from Martin Mere.

Centre Manager, Andy Wooldridge, said: “We have undertaken research that has shown that spending time in the natural environment has a positive effect on mental health, blood pressure, cholesterol, outlook on life and stress-reduction. When we heard about this grant we thought that it was an ideal opportunity to assist care homes in finding the financial support to take residents out on visits that can make a positive difference to their wellbeing and also be mentally stimulating in a safe environment.  We have had fantastic support from the county council and the care homes and we hope this is the start of a long term project to bring vulnerable adults to Martin Mere for free.”

If you would like to get involved in this scheme, please call Victoria on 01704 891240 or email info.martinmere@wwt.org.uk

WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6.  The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations.  Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.

Categories: Nature

Strangford Stop-Over for Icelandic birds

Film buffs will remember the line, “If you build it, they will come”, from ‘Field of Dreams’. Wildlife management is often this simple – if you provide a habitat that meets the needs of wildlife, it will come.  At WWT this seems to have happened.  Over the last number of weeks there have been up to 600 black-tailed godwits sitting on the Wader Marsh in Castle Espie, waiting to go to Iceland.   Kerry Mackie, Grounds and Reserve manager says “It’s so encouraging that all the new landscapes have started to create dividends for our wildfowl. And of course, this can only get better as the habitats mature.”

This unusually large number of godwits is also venturing out from the water’s edge to the brickworks which means the birds aren’t reliant on the estuary.    Apparently their numbers have been building over the last few years at places like Ardmillan, Strangford Lough and the Comber Estuary.  In fact, up to 300 spent the Winter here. Kerry continued:  “ It’s very exciting as we haven’t seen this number of waders using the reserve since the early stages of Castle Espie redevelopment.” 

Climate change is one possibility for this departure from usual godwit behaviour.  Whatever the reason, Castle Espie is delighted with its’ unexpected visitors.

Godwits are attractive birds with their long legs and beaks and the distinctive black and white stripes on their wings.  In fact, so attractive are they that in the 16th century in England they were described as “the dantiest dish in England”. Happily they are no longer hunted (except in France where up to 8000 birds are killed annually).  The name Godwit is from the Old English meaning Good Creature.

For all the latest wildfowl sightings on Strangford Lough check out WWT Castle Espie wwt.org.uk/castleespie/latest-sightings/.

Categories: Nature

Autumn already?

Reed warbler (James Lees)

Our annual dawn chorus event took place this morning at 6am, and despite the cold weather there were plenty of male birds singing to stake a claim to their territories. The morning began with robins, blackbirds, blackcaps, wrens and chiffchaffs, and of course the familiar wood pigeon.

However as the sun rose and the temperature with it, we were treated to a wider range of species. Cetti’s, reed, sedge and willow warblers were all heard, as well as whitethroats and lesser whitethroats – at one point heard together. We had good views of many of the birds, particularly the sedge warblers performing their song flight.

A highlight was hearing the alarm calls of wrens and blackbirds as a tawny owl swooped into the trees, but unfortunately the badger that was spotted at last year’s event did not make a re-appearance.

Most surprisingly, the cold weather appears to have confused many of the birds, with some chiffchaffs and willow warblers delivering autumn rather than spring calls! They’ve only just arrived, and already they seem to think it’s time to go back to the warmth of the African sun!

Chiffchaffs lay very tiny eggs, so small that the young don’t have enough room to develop feathers until after they’ve hatched, so cold weather can be devastating for them. Here’s hoping things warm up soon – they deserve a bit of sunshine after such a long journey!

Categories: Nature

Live images restored to the webcam

After a day and a half with a blank screen we now have our ospreys back live on our CCTV system and the webcam. The pictures came through just after 4pm today and we could see the female osprey sitting tight on her nest. At this time of year we probaly didn’t miss too much action as it is the long incubation period only interspersed with the arrivals of fish and change overs on the nest. It does become addictive viewing and I for one certainly missed watching the birds at the nest.

Many thanks to Bill and his team from the FCS radio branch for sorting the problem.

Categories: Nature

Caerlaverock summer walks are now open

With the departure of the barnacle geese and most of our wintering wildfowl we have opened our meadow walk and the river walk that meanders along the banks of the Lochar Water. The wildlfower meadow is not in bloom as yet apart from the cuckoo flower which already has orange tip butterflies feeding on it. Skylarks were singing above the river walk this afternoon and there were fresh roe deer tracks along the muddy banks.

Categories: Nature

CCTV nest camera offline

We are having technical problems with our osprey webcam. There is a fault in the system and we will have pictures back as soon as we can. The weather continues to be dry and sunny but a bit chilly with the NE wind in the mornings.

Categories: Nature

Close Encounters of the fluffy, wild & behind-the-scenes kind at WWT Castle Espie this May.

May Madness at Castle Espie – from behind-the-scenes to footprints and fossils.

May beckons and with warmer weather just around the corner, WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre outside Comber has lots of entertaining events planned for the May half-term  weekend.

Behind-the-scenes Reserve Tours – Join our resident expert as he takes you behind the scenes managing a busy wetland reserve – find out more about the seasonal changes. Tours will take place on Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May at 2pm.

Footprints & Fossils  – Travel back 330 million years to an era when Castle Espie lay beneath a teaming sea on the equator. Join Dr Mike Simms, Curator of Palaeontology at the Ulster Museum to handle incredible fossils and find out more about how very different things were in Carboniferous era. The event takes place on Monday 7 May at 1pm – 5pm.

The Owl Man - will bring along his menagerie of birds and hedgehogs.  So come and meet the birds of prey from various parts of the world from owls to raptors. Learn about their habitats and why conservation is so important to their future. Monday 7th May, 12 noon – 4.30pm

Duck Tales  – There’s no cuter sight than a tiny fluffy chick taking its first wobbly steps, so why not release your family into the wild this May half-term and come and meet the latest feathered arrivals. One of our resident experts will bring on a tour of our fascinating captive collection. Tours take place  at 12noon & 2pm.

Why not visit our spring exhibition Feather and Fin by artist, Barbara Allen. The exhibition runs until Saturday the 13th May and will showcase Barbara Allen’s work who highlights, ‘I like using watercolour because it gives instant results. When watercolour is used in the true sense of the medium it gives spontaneous and fluid results. The trick is to create the illusion of detail and capture only the essence of any subject.’  All events are included in the cost of admission and free for WWT members.

Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve.  For further information on forthcoming events, conservation campaigns etc please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.

Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE. Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a  month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits. Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world. Ask a member of staff.

Categories: Nature