News
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
Wildlife Sightings - 18/05/2023
Weather: CloudyRiver Wear Tide Level: LowWader Lake SpeciesShelduck - 28Tufted Duck - 19Mute Swan - 1Canada Goose - 28Avocet - 21Black-headed Gull - 78Common Tern - 106Lapwing - 16Greylag Goose - 5Shoveler - 3Grey Heron - 25Redshank - 2Canalag - 1Teal - 1
18 May 2023
Wildlife Sighting - 16/05/2023
Weather: sunny / cloudyRiver wear tide level: lowA.MWader lake:Shelduck - 29Tufted Duck - 8Canada Goose - 23Avocet - 30Common Tern - 59Black- Headed Gull - 89Shoveler - 2Oystercatcher - 2Lapwing - 12Grey Heron - 24Pied Wagtail - 1Redshank - 2Gadwall - 2Te
16 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 15/05/2023
Weather: SunnyRiver Wear Tide Level: MidWader Lake SpeciesOystercatcher - 2Lapwing - 9Redshank - 3Avocet - 38Shoveler - 2Gadwall - 4Teal - 4Tufted Duck - 10Shelduck - 35Common Tern - 82Black-headed Gull - 69Greylag - 6Canada Goose - 19Hawthorn Wood Bird F
15 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 14/05/2023
AMRiver Wear Tide Level: MIDAvocet - 40Redshank - 7Gadwall - 4Shelduck - 35Common Tern - 96Lesser black-backed Gull - 2Greylag Goose - 3Goldfinch - 3Robin - 1Great Tit - 1Grey Heron - Heron Hedge - 30Chiffchaff - Spring Gill Wo
14 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings - 13/05/2023
AMWeather: OvercastRiver Wear Tide Level: HighWater Level: MIDWader Lake SpeciesAvocet: 44Lapwing: 8Oystercatcher: 3Redshank: 3Common Tern: 127Black-headed Gull: 90Shelduck: 16Shoveler: 4Teal: 2Gadwall: 6Grey H
13 May 2023
Wildlife Sightings 12/05/2023
Weather: Cloudy, DrizzleRiver Wear Tide Level: HighWader Lake SpeciesGrey Heron - 27Barn Swallow - 7Tufted Duck - 24Teal - 21Gadwall - 4Shelduck - 49Avocet - 34Mute Swan - 1Oystercatcher - 2Common Tern - 7
12 May 2023
Celebrating spring migration this World Migratory Bird Day
Spring migration is a fantastic time of year to explore nature and soak up the species that visit us during the warmer months Many bird species reliably visit the same spots every year and make for fantastic subjects for photography, as well as offering
12 May 2023