Birds Are Living Dinosaurs: Guided Birdwatching
Birdwatching has never been more exciting. This family-friendly guided experience reveals the extraordinary story hidden in the birds around us, a journey through millions of years of evolution.
The ducks, geese and wading birds around our wetlands are the descendants of an evolutionary story stretching back more than 150 million years.
Scientists now know that birds evolved from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods, making every bird you see today a distant relative of famous dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus rex.
Join one of our knowledgeable WWT guides for a fascinating family-friendly birdwatching experience and discover why birds are considered to be the last surviving dinosaurs.
As you scan the wetlands around the Michael Powell Hide, you'll uncover surprising connections between the birds you see today and the prehistoric creatures that once roamed ancient landscapes.
From powerful claws and hunting techniques to feathers, nesting behaviours and even the sounds they make, you'll be amazed by just how much modern birds still share with their dinosaur ancestors.
Event Info
When: Every Saturday and Sunday throughout December and January as part of our new Meet The Birds Time Forgot event.
Time: 1:15pm to 1:45pm
Location: Michael Powell Hide (then moving to the Steel Hide depending on wildlife and tides)
Cost: Included in entry, or free for WWT members.
What might you discover?
During your guided session, you'll learn:
- Tips and tricks for spotting and identifying wetland birds such as Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant and Spoonbill
- Why birds are considered living dinosaurs
- The hunting techniques that connect modern birds with prehistoric predators
- Why wetlands were important habitats for many dinosaurs and remain vital for birds today
- How feathers, feet, beaks and behaviours reveal a bird's evolutionary history
You may spot species including:
- Grey Heron - stalking fish in a way that would look familiar to many prehistoric hunters
- Little Egret - an elegant wetland hunter, using surprising bursts of speed and movement to catch prey
- Black-tailed Godwit - a spectacular wading bird with a long bill perfectly adapted for finding food in wetland mud
- Eurasian Spoonbill - one of the reserve's most distinctive birds, sweeping its spoon-shaped bill through shallow water in search of food
Every session is different, depending on which birds are using the reserve that day!
Ready to visit?
With so many wildlife encounters and inspiring activities, no two visits are the same. A visit also supports our vital work to restore wetlands and their wildlife.
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