Editing WWT Slimbridge (section)

{{Short description|Wetland nature reserve in Gloucestershire}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox park
| name = WWT Slimbridge
| alt_name =
| photo = Nene_Geese_in_Slimbridge.jpg
| photo_width = 240
| photo_caption =  <small> Slimbridge has numerous [[Nene (bird)|nene]] (also known as Hawaiian geese), the rarest goose in the world.</small>
| photo_alt =
| map = Gloucestershire
| map_width = 240
| map_caption = <small> WWT Slimbridge shown within Gloucestershire</small>
| map_alt =
| label = WWT Slimbridge
| label_position =
| relief =
| mark =
| grid_ref_UK = SO720048
| grid_ref_Ireland =
| coords = {{coord|51.741471|N|2.405979|W|region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| type =
| location =
| nearest_city =
| area = {{convert|120|acres}}
| elevation =
| created =
| designer =
| etymology =
| operator = WWT
| status = Open
| website = {{URL|https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge}}

}}

'''WWT Slimbridge''' is a [[wetland]] [[Nature reserve|wildlife reserve]] near [[Slimbridge]] in [[Gloucestershire]], England. It is midway between Bristol and [[Gloucester]] on the eastern side of the [[estuary]] of the [[River Severn]]. The reserve, set up by the artist and [[Natural history|naturalist]] Sir [[Peter Scott]], opened in November 1946. Scott subsequently founded the [[Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust]], which has since opened nine other reserves around the country. Slimbridge comprises some {{convert|800|hectare}} of [[pasture]], [[reed bed]], [[lagoon]] and [[salt marsh]]. Many water birds live there all year round, and others are [[Bird migration|migrants]] on their ways to and from their summer breeding grounds. Other birds overwinter, including large numbers of [[Greater white-fronted goose|white-fronted geese]] and increasing numbers of [[Tundra swan|Bewick's swans]].

Besides having the world's largest collection of captive [[Anatidae|wildfowl]], Slimbridge takes part in research and is involved in projects and internationally run [[captive breeding]] programmes. It was there that Peter Scott developed a method of recognising individual birds through their characteristics, after realising that the coloured patterns on the beaks of Bewick's swans were unique. The public can visit the reserve throughout the year. Besides examining the collections, they can view birds from [[Bird hide|hides]] and observatories and take part in educational activities.