News
Wildlife Sightings - 28/05/2023
Weather: bright some cloudRiver wear tide level: highA.MWader Lake:Avocet - 45 (4 Chicks)Redshank - 5Oystercatcher - 2Lapwing - 6Common Tern - 149Swallow - 2Shoveler - 2Gadwall - 4Tufted duck - 13Shelduck - 50 (7 Chicks)Black-headed Gull - 101Reed Warbler
28 May 2023
It's our birthday! WWT Washington turns 48
Happy 48th birthday to us! When our doors first opened on the morning of 29 May 1975 – at a cost of 40p for adults and 20p for children – we wonder if the team greeting those new visitors could have even begun to imagine the amazing things we'
28 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 27/05/2023
Weather: sunnyRiver wear tide level: highA.MWader Lake:Avocet - 28+2 Chicks (10 nesting)Oystercatcher - 4Redshank - 2Lapwing - 7Gadwall - 6Teal - 2Shoveler - 2Common Tern - 160 (110 nesting)Black-headed Gull - 82 (40 nesting)Grey Heron - 33 (22 juv + 11 a
28 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 26/05/2023
Weather: sunny / brightRiver wear tide level: highA.MWader Lake:Grey Heron - 24Shelduck - 42+6 ChicksCommon Tern - 149Shoveler - 1Tufted duck - 10Avocet - 37+1 ChickBlack headed Gull - 123Oystercatcher - 1Redshank - 1Gadwall - 3Teal - 1Canada Goose - 13Ha
26 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 25/05/2023
Weather: sunnyRiver wear tide level: highA.MWader Lake:Shelduck - 39 (6 Chicks)Tufted duck - 13Avocet - 29 (3 Chicks)Common Tern - 141Canada Goose - 16Greylag Goose - 5Oystercatcher - 4Lapwing - 6Gadwall - 2Black-headed Gull - 64Grey Heron - 16Shoveler -
25 May 2023
May half term in a nutshell
Join us for a host of nature-themed arts, crafts and creative sessions this May half term.
25 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings 24/05/2023
Weather: Clear SkiesRiver Wear Tide Level: MidWader Lake SpeciesAvocet 2 broods - 1 of 3, 1 of 5 - 31Common Sandpiper - 1Gadwall - 3Lapwing - 10Shelduck + 6 young ducklings - 42Canada Goose - 19Tufted Duck - 19Grey
24 May 2023
How our animals keep their cool in hot weather
With the current rising temperatures and more sunshine on its way, a question we often get asked is how do we keep our animals cool? To help them cope with heat more easily, our birds and otters do have some natural adaptations. But we also like
24 May 2023
Quentin Blake’s art drawing people to nature at WWT Washington
People across the North East can now see the wonder of wetland nature through the eyes of the UK’s best-loved illustrator, thanks to a new event at Washington Wetland Centre. The ‘Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT’ partnership – a collaboratio
23 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 22/05/2023
Weather: sunny / warmRiver wear tide level: midA.MWader Lake:Avocet - 43 (7 Chicks)Common Tern - 151Oystercatcher - 2Lapwing - 8Redshank - 2Common Sandpiper - 1Pied Wagtail - 2Gadwall - 4Teal - 3Shelduck - 46 (6 Chicks)Tufted Duck - 14Jackdaw - 6Black-hea
22 May 2023
Orchid season is upon us!
As summer approaches, we're starting to see a variety of orchids come into bloom across our meadows here at Washington Wetland Centre. Orchids have a rich history, often associated with strong meanings and symbolism worldwide. The Aztecs, for example, sa
22 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 21/05/2023
Weather: clear / sunnyRiver wear tide level: midA.M Wader Lake:Avocet - 33Common Tern - 147Oystercatcher - 2Redshank - 2Lapwing - 13Common Snipe - 1Shelduck - 36 (6 Chicks)Tufted Duck - 17Shoveler - 1Teal - 1Gadwall - 2Swallow - 2Canada Goose - 20Greylag
21 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings 20/05/2023
Weather: SunnyRiver Wear Tide Level: LowWader Lake SpeciesAvocet - 26Lapwing - 8Oystercatcher - 3Common Sandpiper - 1Redshank - 2Grey Heron - 26Shelduck - 26Gadwall - 4Teal - 4Shoveler - 1Common Tern -
20 May 2023
First bar-headed goslings for 10 years hatch at WWT Washington
Three beautiful bar-headed goslings have hatched at Washington Wetland Centre - the first for more than a decade! Arriving earlier this week, the youngsters are being looked after by our living collection team at our specialist duckery, where they're no
20 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 19/04/2023
Weather: Overcast / drizzleA.MShelduck - 18+6 ChicksAvocet - 19Lapwing - 7Shoveler - 1Oystercatcher - 1Canada Goose - 19Hawthorn Wood:Robin - 2Dunnock - 1Blue Tit - 1Goldfinch - 2Other birds noted around site:Shelduck - 9 (River wear)Oystercatcher - 2 (Ri
19 May 2023