HAVE you heard of the crested screamer? It’s a strange looking bird from South America about the size of a turkey with a call audible two miles away, and there are some living at Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire.

There are many other rare or unusual birds there too, plus otters, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. We saw photos of many of these birds and animals during a talk at our local Wildlife Trust meeting on December 14 by Bill Francis, a long-time volunteer at Slimbridge.

Slimbridge is part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and was founded by naturalist, artist, sportsman and general all rounder, Sir Peter Scott, the first person to be knighted for services to conservation.

Wetlands play an important role locally and nationally, helping to control erosion, prevent flooding, produce food, medicines and building materials as well as providing a home for wildlife.

Some of the species at Slimbridge have been threatened with extinction through persecution and/or loss of habitat, but are being raised and nurtured at the Centre in the hope of increasing their numbers and returning them to their natural habitats.

Our next meeting, to be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 8 at the Lyttleton Rooms in Church St, Malvern, will be a talk by Tim Dixon, chairman of The Colwall Orchard Group. He will share his knowledge and enthusiasm as he describes the ongoing work of the Colwall Orchard Project. Admission £2. Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcome to attend.

SALLY SINES