A day trip by coach from London to WWT Welney, where the swans gather on the washes in winter. Whooper Swans newly arrived from Iceland share the water with the scarcer Bewick's Swan, which flies in from Arctic Russia. The daily flights to and from the surrounding fields are the highlight, and you can watch them in comfort from the reserve's heated hides.
The washes also draw other wildfowl, and walking the reserve or looking out from the visitor centre may bring sightings of Short-eared Owls, Brown Hares and the increasingly rare Tree Sparrow. A swan-feeding session at 3.30pm includes a short introductory talk about the Ouse Washes and the swans. The trip suits beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike, and you can either join the expert volunteer guide or explore on your own.
