First hatch of the season (From Gazette Series)

First hatch of the season

SPRING has definitely sprung at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge.

The first eggs of the season have recently hatched to reveal three cute fluffy Nene goslings, which can be seen in a specially-built bubble next to the Water's Edge Restaurant. The Nene, the native name for the Hawaiian bird, is the rarest goose in the world and can only be found living natively in Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.

Threatened with extinction, the Nene goose has been saved by a programme of captive breeding, which was first set up at a special station in Hawaii and, then later at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge.

The goslings are now proving quite a hit with visitors to the centre and offer a perfect spring attraction for Mothering Sunday this weekend.

The new arrivals will be on show on Sunday when all mums will receive a complimentary glass of wine if you treat her to lunch at the Water's Edge Restaurant.

For more information on the centre and the birds visit www.wwt.org.uk