Wetland wonders
WETLANDS are watery wonderlands. Going by a host of names – such as swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and mires – 40% of the world’s animals and plants depend on them to survive.
They are stunning places to visit, offering fantastic birdwatching and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
But these vital ecosystems are endangered, which is why the WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) are highlighting the importance of preserving them. The charity is also campaigning to create 100,000 hectares of new wetlands, while responsible tourism can help these areas thrive, too.
Here are some of the best wetlands to visit, at home and abroad.
Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire
Sir David Attenborough is an environmental icon, so it is no surprise a reserve has been named after him. The Attenborough Nature Reserve was established in 1966 and was opened by the broadcaster.
During winter, starlings take to the sky in great numbers, which is a beautiful sight to behold. The 60-acre reserve also hosts a range of activities for children to teach them about the importance of nature.
London Wetland Centre, Barnes
The 105-acre London Wetland Centre is home to an array of wildlife.
Tom Fewins, WWT’s head of policy and advocacy says this is the perfect time of year to visit as “you get to see wigeons, which are ducks which migrate over from the east and they are big, chubby charismatic birds with beautiful brown heads, with a big sort of yellow plume down it, and you only see them at a certain time of year”.
You can also see peregrines and the ground-nesting bird, lapwing.
Cley and Salthouse Marshes, Norfolk
Cley Marshes is the oldest Wildlife Trust nature reserve in the UK. The 371-hectare site was first purchased in 1926 to act as a bird breeding sanctuary for birds such as avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers, and it attracts up to 110,000 guests each year.
The Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre also hosts free exhibits across the year from local artists, with a nature theme.
Castle Espie, County Down
This wetland on the shores of Strangford Lough is a 60-acre haven, home to Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic waterbirds.
“At this time of year, the real selling point for the site is that it attracts thousands of migratory birds and one of the special species is brent geese,” says Kelly. Castle Espie was also one of three live locations to host BBC2’s
Winterwatch 2022.
Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, County Kerry
Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre is a Natura 2000 site, part of a network of nature protection areas in the EU. Wintering wetland birds at this 8,000-acre reserve include whooper swans and pale-bellied brent geese, which feed on the extensive eelgrass beds covering the Eastern part of the bay.
The Okavango Delta, Botswana
This vast delta is formed where the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari Desert.
A ‘pulsing wetland’ it is affected by seasonal flooding, and each year water spreads over a 6,000 to 15,000 sq km area, drawing in species such as elephants, crocodiles, cheetahs and hippos. The best time to visit for wildlife viewing is July to October.
Everglades National Park, USA
The Everglades in Florida is a staggering 1.5 million acres in size, a world heritage site, an international biosphere reserve and a wetland of international importance.
Its extensive coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and flat pinewoods are home to hundreds of animal species including the elusive Florida panther, West Indian manatee, American crocodile and American alligator.