SLIMBRIDGE WETLAND CENTRE, LIVE WEBCAM

More info: Slimbridge Wetland Centre is home to an amazing array of wildlife, including the world’s largest collection of swans, flamingos, geese and ducks.

December at Slimbridge sees large numbers of white-fronted geese and Bewick’s swans. During January winter bird numbers are usually at their peak with up to 30,000 wild wintering ducks, geese, swans and waders. As Bewick’s Swans start to leave the site from February, the first spring migrants begin to return; typically oystercatcher and avocet.

In March, martins and swallow arrive and Mediterranean gulls have become regular spring migrants. Common cranes start to display and begin nesting and the white-fronted geese leave the site. Cuckoos start to arrive in April and kingfishers and warblers are breeding. During May migrating birds pass through including grey plover and whimbrel.

In Summer, ducklings, goslings and cygnets appear throughout June and crane chicks hatch. Warblers are busy breeding in the reed beds and the dragonfly season begins. Kingfishers may be on their second broods in July. Summer also sees migrating birds arrive including ruff, green sandpiper, wood sandpiper and curlew sandpiper.

In Aurumn, migrating birds are pass through including waders, osprey and marsh harrier. Teal start to arrive back for Winter. In September the common crane chicks fledge. White-fronted geese and golden plover arrive. In November pintail, pochard and wildfowl numbers increase. Towards the end of October and beginning of November the Bewick’s swans arrive after their long migration from Arctic Russia.