So much more than just swans to the WWT Welney visitor centre

Water levels are so high currently that the famed swan feeds at a nature reserve have had to be scaled back.

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Welney Wetland Centre is most often linked to swans in the winter, and whilst there are currently 9,000 swans they are spread across the area, as high water levels mean more feeding opportunities for them.

But visitors can still see swans when visiting the centre on Hundred Foot Bank along with a host of other species.

Some of these include another white bird the cattle egret, a recent arrival to the UK, and also the charismatic hare.

Emma Brand, events and marketing officer at Welney, said: “The rainfall we have witnessed so far this winter has meant high water levels are being experienced on the Ouse Washes, but WWT Welney also hosts the Lady Fen wetlands which are not part of the same flood-relief system.

“From the visitor centre people can enjoy views out over these wetlands, often spying on the flocks of cattle egret from the comfort of the café. cattle egret are becoming a regular winter sighting.

“One of three egret species found at Welney – little, great white, and cattle – has undergone a gradual move from rarity to resident species throughout our UK wetlands.

“The cattle egret tends to forage across the grassland, particularly amongst livestock such as cattle or sheep, rather than in the ditches and pools where the little and great white can often be found.

“Just 15 years ago it would be been unusual to have more than 50 birds wintering in the whole UK, now it looks like this species is here to stay.

“A peak count of 30 birds has so far been seen at Welney.”

A walk around Lady Fen not only gives further chances to see the egrets but also mammals like hares and deer.

On Thursdays and Saturdays, from 2-3pm, you can join a guide on a walk to get closer to the hares and find out what makes them different to rabbits as well as some fascinating insights into these mammals of open grassland.