New kingfisher hide opens at Slimbridge
28th March 2009
Wildlife film-makers Philippa Forrester and Charlie Hamilton James are encouraging families to get out in the fresh air this Easter and enjoy wildlife from the new Kingfisher Hide at The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust's (WWT) Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
The new hide has been specifically designed so that families can get closer to wildlife. The hide is also a lasting legacy of the founder of WWT, Sir Peter Scott. 2009 marks the centenary of Sir Peter Scott, who was driven by a desire to share his passion but also saw that to succeed conservation needed to engage the public.
Dave Paynter, reserve manager at WWT Slimbridge, said: "The Kingfisher Hide is a fitting example of how Sir Peter wanted to bring people and nature together and we hope that he would have been proud of the centre's achievements."
3 kingfishers sighted
Since the hide was completed earlier this year, three kingfishers have already returned to set up home in the mud banks directly in front of the building. The hide was created using lime render and has a partial turf roof in order to blend into the landscape. It has low windows with views of a bird feeding station, a wetland habitat in the middle of the building and allows close up views of kingfishers and a variety of other bird species.
Spring
Philippa Forrester said: "Spring is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy nature. The new Kingfisher Hide at Slimbridge will allow families to learn about wildlife together and have some truly unique experiences. The hide is a fabulous achievement and we are honoured to have been asked to be officially open it. Kingfishers are seldom seen but at Slimbridge the public can come within metres of these iconic birds and get up close and personal to all the wildlife in beautiful surroundings."
The new hide has been specifically designed so that families can get closer to wildlife. The hide is also a lasting legacy of the founder of WWT, Sir Peter Scott. 2009 marks the centenary of Sir Peter Scott, who was driven by a desire to share his passion but also saw that to succeed conservation needed to engage the public.
Dave Paynter, reserve manager at WWT Slimbridge, said: "The Kingfisher Hide is a fitting example of how Sir Peter wanted to bring people and nature together and we hope that he would have been proud of the centre's achievements."
3 kingfishers sighted
Since the hide was completed earlier this year, three kingfishers have already returned to set up home in the mud banks directly in front of the building. The hide was created using lime render and has a partial turf roof in order to blend into the landscape. It has low windows with views of a bird feeding station, a wetland habitat in the middle of the building and allows close up views of kingfishers and a variety of other bird species.
Spring
Philippa Forrester said: "Spring is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy nature. The new Kingfisher Hide at Slimbridge will allow families to learn about wildlife together and have some truly unique experiences. The hide is a fabulous achievement and we are honoured to have been asked to be officially open it. Kingfishers are seldom seen but at Slimbridge the public can come within metres of these iconic birds and get up close and personal to all the wildlife in beautiful surroundings."
