Wild Bird Feeds at Slimbridge

See hundreds of Bewick’s swans feed in the late afternoon this December, and experience one of winter’s most breathtaking wildlife spectaculars, in Slimbridge Wetland Centre’s warm and toasty heated-observatory.

Every year people pack their bags and travel thousands of miles from around the world to see the hundreds of breathtaking Bewick’s swans that have migrated to Britain from Arctic Russia. For Gloucestershire residents and visitors, this magical winter wildlife spectacular is on the very doorstep, at Slimbridge Wetland Centre near Stroud.

The winter conditions in the UK might not seem like warmer climes, but compared to Russia’s severe winters, Slimbridge for the swans – and thousands of other migrating wild birds – is positively balmy.

While visitors can see the swans basking on the water during the daytime, an unforgettable highlight of the Bewick’s swans stay at Slimbridge is the chance to watch the feathered varieties feed in the evening on the floodlit Swan Lake. All from the heated comfort of Peng Observatory, of course.

Bewick’s swans can be individually identified by their unique black and yellow bill patterns, and, as well as sharing interesting facts about the birds, during the evening feeds Slimbridge’s wardens will be picking out some of the most famous winter residents in the live commentary – including Crinkly, the much-loved swan with a crooked neck, or Dario and Dorcus, who are always among the first to return.

Please note, the dates listed here apply to the December 2011 floodlit swan feeds only, when numbers are amongst their highest. Wild bird feeds are, however, held at Slimbridge every day until the end of February - excluding Christmas Day.