“The Swan” by Camille Saint-Saëns, performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott:
A decade ago I was fortunate to visit the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. The Trust’s contributing founder was Sir Peter Scott, son of the Antarctic explorer, Captain Robert Falcon Scott. He was only two years old when his father died during the famous, ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. Captain Scott instructed his wife in one of his last letters: ‘make the boy interested in natural history’. Young Peter read Natural Sciences in Cambridge but graduated in History of Art. It was an apt combination since he was wholly committed to the conservation of wildlife but also an accomplished artist. After the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust had been given a £4.4 million Lottery Fund grant towards the £6 million costs of the project, work progressed and it is now home to the world’s largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks. It is also the only place in the world where you can see all six species of Flamingos.
Courtesy of WWT:
His house on the Slimbridge estate has huge windows overlooking the estuary because Peter Scott wanted to observe the arriving swans, geese, and ducks. He realised that ‘our lives are so linked with the natural world, that we have to learn to love it and to look after it’. He wrote: ‘I think it is wonderful that absolutely anyone will be able to sit in that same window in the future years and feel just as inspired.’ He painted what he saw and his numerous sketches and paintings sold at Slimbridge contribute to the cost of the upkeep of the estate. One of his best-known paintings ‘Taking to Wing’, was printed 350,000 times as a picture, Christmas card, and a mat. He designed a panda logo for the World Wide Fund, of which he was a founding member.
“Taking to Wing” by Sir Peter Scott:
Sir Peter Scott was born in London in 1909. He was named after Peter Pan as his godfather was the author J M Barrie, who wrote the famous book and also observed: ‘The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.’ After Cambridge, Peter Scott excelled as a sportsman; a bronze Olympic medal for sailing in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and he was also a national championship standard skater.
During World War, II he served in the Royal Navy. He commanded a gunboat in the English Channel and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery. On 8 July 1941, it was announced that Peter Scott had rescued survivors from a burning vessel while serving on HMS Broke. On 2 October 1942, he was mentioned in despatches for ‘Gallantry, daring, and skill in the combined attack on Dieppe.’ On 1 June 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross ‘for skill and gallantry in action with enemy light forces.’
After the war, Peter Scott was appointed Member of the British Empire in 1953. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 1973. In 1987 in the Birthday Honours, he was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour ‘for services to conservation.’ He was also the recipient of the WWF Gold Medal and the Paul Getty Prize. It all started with his work in the conservation of wild animals at The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.
At Slimbridge, he established an open nature reserve and he became known as the ‘Patron saint of conservation’. It was Sir Peter Scott who introduced a young David Attenborough to Slimbridge who made several documentaries about the reserve for television. He and David Attenborough were jointly profiled in one series of BBC2’s ‘The Way We Went Wild’. In 1996 Sir Peter Scott’s life and work were celebrated in a BBC Natural World documentary. Narrated by David Attenborough, it was on the 50th anniversary of the creation of The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.
Sir Peter Scott was credited with naming the Loch Ness Monster ‘Nessiteras Rhombopteryx’ so that it could be registered as an endangered species. The name, based on Greek, means ‘the wonder of Ness with the diamond-shaped fin’. It is also an anagram of ‘Monster hoax by Sir Peter Scott’.
Sir Peter Scott passed away in 1989 but the legacy of his extraordinary life and work will live on forever through The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.
“Swan Lake Theme” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, performed by Hauser and London Symphony Orchestra:
The fame of Slimbridge is such that it became a destination for millions of tourists from all over the world. Those driving through Gloucestershire to Slimbridge can also pass on the way the beautiful villages with houses that are the heritage of this country. Some are postcard cottages built with Cotswold stone, with thatched roofs and roses around the doors, others imposing Tudor buildings; the black timber sharply contrasting with the dazzling white of the walls. Anyone planning to visit this country this summer should put Slimbridge on the top of their list.
Courtesy of WWT:
As for Sir Peter Scott’s legacy – it was written in his obituary: ‘It is hard to imagine a life better spent.’
naturetails 
A technicality: while ‘Nessiteras rhomboteryx’ can be created from the letters in ‘monster hoax by Sir Peter Scott,’ the former isn’t truly an anagram of the latter because the first contains 22 letters and the second contains 26 letters. We might say ‘Nessiteras rhomboteryx’ is partially an anagram of ‘monster hoax by Sir Peter Scott.’
Speaking of anagrams, one that’s remarkable for its arithmetic truth is ‘eleven plus two’ = ‘twelve plus one.’
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Thank you, Steve, for your information.
Joanna
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Love this tribute to Sir Peter Scott Joanna. I especially love this quote: ‘The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.’ Great job my friend. Enjoyed this informative read! 🦢🦜🦅
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Thank you for this beautiful post, Joanna! Lovely music and stunning photos. I enjoyed reading about the life of Sir Peter Scott.
I wasn’t aware that there are six species of flamingos, though I have seen photos of some different species. The flamingos I hope to see in the Everglades are American flamingoes, native to both North and South America.
I always learn something when I read your posts! 💕
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What an amazing post and what an amazing man. He did his father proud. This is a wonderful tribute Joanna. Have a great weekend. Allan
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I found your article to be very interesting. I wasn’t familiar with Scott at all. He made major contributions to the world.
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Thank you, Neil, for your kind comments which are much appreciated. I wholly agree, he was a great man.
Joanna
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Thank you, Allan, for your wonderful comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you so much, Cheryl, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments! Your kind words are deeply appreciated!
Joanna xx
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Thank you so much, Kym, for your wonderful comments which are much appreciated! I love this quote because I love birds!
Joanna xx
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A Wonderful share as always Joanna. ❤️
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Thank you, Suma, for your wonderful comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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I didn’t know this wonderful place, which left me enchanted 💓
Thank you for sharing this tribute to Sir Peter Scott and giving us, once again, a rich and fascinating post
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Thank you, dear Luisa, for your beautiful comments which are much appreciated!
Joanna x
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I always learn so much, dearest Joanna, from your erudite knowledge! 💓
Thank you!
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Thank you, dearest Luisa, for your kind words, and it is my pleasure and luck to learn from your vast erudite knowledge!
Joanna xx
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🙏💞🙏
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XXX!
Joanna x
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Dear Joanna, what a beautiful tribute to Sir Peter Scott — British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer, and sportsman. As the only child of the famed Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, Peter showed an early fascination with wildfowl, both observing and hunting them from a young age. I loved the story behind his name, inspired by Peter Pan.
It’s wonderful that you had the chance to visit the historic Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge. I’m deeply impressed by the legacy Sir Peter Scott inherited from his father and grandfather — a heritage that helped shape him into such a remarkable polymath, with talents spanning nature, art, sailing, skating, and acts of gallantry. It’s no surprise he received numerous awards and accolades throughout his life. His obituary truly reflects the greatness of this extraordinary man.
His groundbreaking work in wildlife conservation remains unforgettable, earning him the title of the “patron saint of conservation.” His collaboration with Sir David Attenborough was yet another remarkable chapter in his career. The collection of swans, geese, ducks, and flamingos at Slimbridge is captivating, and the architectural vision of large windows overlooking the estuary was simply brilliant.
Thank you once again, Joanna, for sharing this wonderful post — the music and images were stunning, as always. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
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Indeed, he was a great man that I admire tremendously for all that he did during the war and thereafter, in particular his dedication to wildlife and his very accomplished artistic talent. Slimbridge is one of my favourite places in this world. I wish more children had access to this kind of education which is so important. I always love to hear Sir David speak. He has such passion and is himself such a very great man, yet seemingly so modest – as is true of really great men! It was a delight to enjoy this lovely tribute Joanna. Thank you.
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Thank you so much, dear Kaushal, for your wonderfully analytical comments! I have to thank you for covering every detail of Sir Peter Scott’s eventful and well spent life! Your kindness is greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your beautiful comments! I am awaiting Sir David Attenborough’s new documentary about the importance of our oceans, and how to reverse harmful human activity in all kinds of marine habitats. He will be 99 years young in May!
Joanna x
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You’re always welcome, Joanna!
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Thank you, Kaushal!
Joanna
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Thank you for such a magical experience of learning, music, videos and more all about nature and Sir Peter Scott, the British ornithologist. I was reading about him when I was researching something the other day!. Take care Joanna. Have a lovely weekend ❤️
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Thank you, Morag, for your lovely comments which are much appreciated!
Joanna x
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You are very welcome
Morag x
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Thank you!
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A super post, Joanna (and I’m late again). I must have missed the celebration of Scott’s Slimbridge in 1996; the year I was made redundant from my 30 year career! However, that is now a long time ago and living here in Northern Ireland we have a Wildfowl and Wetland Trust at Castle Espie on Strangford Lough. Scott was a wonderful artist and I’m glad you include one of his paintings! Thank you. 🤗💌😊
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Thank you, Ashley, for your wonderful comments! It is good to know that you have an interesting place to visit close to home.
Joanna x
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As usual, a wonderful post full of beautiful photos and info. Thanks for sharing.
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I had not heard of this man or this place – thank you for introducing them to me Joanna. They are absolutely wonderful!
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Thank you, Harini, for your wonderful comments which are much appreciated! Your kind thoughts are more than welcome!
Joanna
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That was yet another of your wonderful post on the the life of the great British conservationist, naval officer & a sportsman of repute, Sir Peter Scott!Your photos & the musical Videos are amazing as ever !To me the post was quite educative in the sense that it introduced us to a man with all round capabities & qualities rarely seen in life !Thank you,Joanna, for covering every detail of Sir Peter Scott’s eventful and well spent life !Namaste, Joanna!
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Thank you so much, Dhirendra, for your wonderfully analytical comments! As always, your kind words are uplifting and greatly appreciated! Namaste!
Joanna
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My pleasure, as usual 😃🙏
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I love birds too my dear friend. It is always my pleasure to engage with your messages Joanna. Cheers! 🦜💖🌞
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Thank you, dear Kym, you are very kind!
Joanna xx
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I mean that Joanna and I appreciate you as always my friend. Enjoy the rest of your week! 🥰💖😍
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Thank you, Kym, I will.
Joanna x
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Fabulous, I didn’t know there were six species of flamingos, beautiful.
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Thank you, Monica, for your kind comments which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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😍💖🥰
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FABULOUS MY PLEASURE ANITA
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Thank you, Anita, for your wonderful comment which is greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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Thanks Anita
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You are more than welcome, Anita! I love your beautiful posts!
Joanna x
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This is such a feel good post and tribute to Sir Peter Scott Joanna! I love your curated music, the history and the pictures that truly share his wonderful life!
💓
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Thank you so much, Cindy, for your wonderfully thoughtful comments! Your kind words are much appreciated!
Joanna xx
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You are so very welcome, Joanna. They are most deserved! 💓
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