An evening with wild swans

Marvel at Bewick's swans at Slimbridge WWT via a wild bird feed, including the chance to enjoy a two course meal.

On early winter nights, flocks of Bewick’s swans soar over the frosted woods and fields of the Cotswolds, headed for their winter home of Slimbridge Wetlands Centre (WWT).

Slimbridge has offered these majestic birds a safe haven ever since Sir Peter Scott founded the world’s first wetlands reserve here in 1946, on land rented from the Earl of Berkeley.

They are easy enough to see, often gliding across the aptly named Swan Lake, just outside the visitor centre. But, if you want to get a really good view of these swans that have flown from Arctic Russia, 1,800 miles away, there is no better way than by watching one of the daily wild bird feeds, running throughout the winter months. The feeds start at 4pm, approximately until February, and are included in admission. All you need to do is make your way to the Peng Observatory in time for the start. 

The Peng Observatory looks out over Rushy Lake through floor-to-ceiling windows, and is fully enclosed for comfortable viewing during cold evenings.

As the birds swoop down on to the lake, a warden will talk through what you are seeing, and will even be able to identify the swans by name and tell you something of their life-story. 

This ability to recognise individual Bewick’s swans was discovered by Peter Scott, his wife Philippa and their young daughter, while they were painting them one day from the window of their lakeside house. As they studied them, they noticed that each bird’s bill had a unique pattern of black and orange, which Peter, being a fine artist, was able to record in minute (and beautiful) detail. Soon able to pick out individuals from the flock.

After giving visitors facts and stories about the swans, the warden will leave the building, only to reappear on the water’s edge, whistling and pushing a wheel barrow full of food. You might think that this whistle is just the sign of a contented worker (and surely, they must be, dream job or what?). No, this whistle is the same tune first trilled by Peter Scott, and passed on from warden to warden, a sound without which these wild birds would take fright at the appearance of a human, erupting in a mass of panicked feathers.

A two-course dinner experience with wild bird feed

But Slimbridge offers a little something extra at the start of the year. Between 3 January and 8 February, an Evening with the Swans (on select dates), offers a delicious two-course meal after you have had the chance to marvel at the swans. 
Starting with a glass of Buck’s fizz and canapés you can enjoy the film Flight of the Swans in the Swan Café, before your wild bird feed viewing. After this, you will be taken to the Kingfisher Kitchen to enjoy your pick of a fabulous menu: mozzarella and basil stuffed chicken breast, wrapped in Parma ham, or Spiced aubergine and red lentil filo parcel, as your choice of mains, and mouthwatering desserts.

Find out more about the wild bird feeds here and the Evening with the Swans here