Featuring incredible bird watching, fascinating talks and spectacular walks, this year's Wild Winter Weekend at Slimbridge Wetland Centre will take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January 2023.
Guides in the Hides
From 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday
Meet the expert guides in the hides for what promises to be a fascinating experience, learning how to spot the winter wildlife from Slimbridge's Estuary Tower, Zeiss Hide, South Lake Discovery Hide and Peng Observatory.
Guides in the Hides is free of charge with admission and there’s no need to book.
Winter Goose ID Workshop
From 10am to 11.30pm on Saturday and Sunday
This workshop offers the chance to follow in the footsteps of distinguished conservationist and ornithologist, Sir Peter Scott, and head out into the reserve to pick up hints and tips on identifying winter geese and other wildfowl.
The workshop costs £5 per person. Tickets should be pre-booked.
Needle Felt Swan Workshop
From 10am to 1pm on the Saturday only
Get crafty and learn how to needle felt a beautiful swan from wool, led by craft enthusiast Alicia Crates who will teach you techniques and tricks such as how to wrap wool around wire, sculpt with wool and add features and colour just using a felting needle.
Workshop places cost £50 per person, including admission and a £5 voucher to use in the restaurant or kiosks. Tickets should be pre-booked.
Evening with the Swans
From 3.45pm to 7pm, Saturday only
See hundreds of wild wintering birds on the floodlit Rushy Lake, before enjoying a delicious two course meal in the Kingfisher Kitchen during Slimbridge's Evening with the Swans.
Tickets cost £29.95 per person and should be pre-booked.
Our Wild History Walk
From 11am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday
Book onto this walk with a difference to discover the amazing history of the reserve, and why Sir Peter Scott chose Slimbridge as the 'birthplace of modern conservation'. Find out about the UK's last working duck decoy, see where Scott made his home on the edge of the Rushy Lake and head out towards the estuary looking for the famous wintering white-fronted geese on the 'Avian Serengeti'.
Tickets cost £5 per person and should be pre-booked.
Peter Scott and the Birth of Modern Conservation talk
From12 pm to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday
Meet the author of this new book, Chris Moore, and hear more about the founder of WWT, Sir Peter Scott.
Places are free with admission, but available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Duck Decoy Demonstration
From 2pm to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday
This is a chance to witness the historic practice of catching wild ducks in Slimbridge's duck decoy, using a specially trained dog.
Places are free with admission, but should be booked on arrival.
Wild Bird Commentated Feed
From 4pm to 4.30pm
Don’t miss this fantastic seasonal wildlife experience, perfect for bird lovers. Listen to the reserve warden's commentary as they feed the hundreds of wintering wild birds, including the famous Bewick's swans which will have flown all the way from arctic Russia.
Free with admission.
