25/08/2026
Is Britain ready for pelicans? It comes down to wetlands.
The last time Britain had pelicans, the island was a lot wetter. Humans have drained the marshes where these birds once lived.
But fragments remain.
In our latest feature, join author and conservationist Benedict Macdonald on a road trip around England, alongside two of Europe's finest pelican experts, as they try to figure out whether Britain has enough watery places – and fish – to host pelicans once more.
Part 2: Benedict Macdonald believes Britain is ready for pelicans again. But will the pelican experts agree?