WELNEY S Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is welcoming the first of the Whooper Swans. By Christmas, there will be about 9,000 feeding on the Ouse Washes and surrounding farmland. The WWT reserve at Welney is one of the few places in the world where people ca

WELNEY'S Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is welcoming the first of the Whooper Swans.

By Christmas, there will be about 9,000 feeding on the Ouse Washes and surrounding farmland.

"The WWT reserve at Welney is one of the few places in the world where people can get very close to literally thousands upon thousands of wild swans, ducks and other water birds," says centre manager Veronica Morris.

From October 21, swan feeds will take place daily at Welney at 3.30pm.

From November 9, special floodlit feeds can be seen at 6.30pm except on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Winter opening hours at the Visitor Centre, Hundred Foot Bank, Welney, are 10am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday and 8pm the rest of the week.

Admission prices are £4.50 adults, £3.70 seniors, £2.70 for children. Parties must book. For full details, tel 01353 860711 or go to www.wwt.org.uk/visit/welney