WWT Slimbridge

WWT Slimbridge is a wetland wildlife reserve beside the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire. Established in 1946 by artist and naturalist Sir Peter Scott, it covers 800 hectares of pasture, reed beds, lagoons and salt marsh. The reserve lies midway between Bristol and Gloucester on the estuary’s eastern shore. Water birds live there year-round, while others pass through on migration. White-fronted geese and Bewick’s swans are among the winter visitors. The site holds the world’s largest collection of captive wildfowl and runs research and breeding programmes. Scott developed a method of identifying individual Bewick’s swans by the unique patterns on their beaks. The reserve also supports projects such as saving the nene from extinction and reintroducing common cranes to Britain. Sculptures of Scott and his family stand in the grounds alongside works by his mother, Kathleen Scott. The Queen and Prince Charles have supported the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Visitors walk through pastures that flood in winter and along lagoons where wild and captive birds mix. Reed beds and salt marshes border the estuary, home to rare plants like grass-poly and wasp orchid. Hides and observatories let people watch waterfowl, waders and birds of prey. Educational activities introduce visitors to wetland conservation. The reserve’s mix of habitats attracts over 200 bird species throughout the year.