Evening view at Wetlands (From Gazette Series)

Evening view at Wetlands

BADGERS and hares can be seen coming home to roost later this month at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Slimbridge better known for its birds.

In a special evening Land Rover safari on Tuesday, June 21, mammals replace birds as the stars of the show.

Setting off at 7pm, the safari takes in the Slimbridge wild reserve and, as the high tide rolls in along the Severn Estuary and the evening approaches, seldom seen badgers begin to emerge from their sett, while hares, rabbits and foxes all prepare for the coming night.

Birds aren't forgotten as the rising tide pushes flocks of gulls and waders in. With luck, owls and other birds of prey may well put in an appearance.

Dave Paynter, Slimbridge reserve manager said: "This one-off evening Land Rover safari is the only chance you'll get to see the wild side of Slimbridge coming to life in the evening.

"Watching badgers and other mammals will be a real treat and we've timed it right for the high tide so there will be loads of birds coming in to roost too.'

The Land Rover Safari leaves at 7pm on Tuesday, June 21. Booking is essential and tickets are available on 01453 891223.

To find out more about the summer programme of events at Slimbridge and the eight other WWT centres across Britain, visit the web site www.wwt.org.uk.