News
Record avocet numbers
WWT Washington have recorded their highest ever number of avocet on site so far this year
30 April 2019
New times for daily animal talks
Our daily Chilean flamingo talks begin again on Saturday 16 February and, along with our daily commentated otter feeds, will now be held at a slightly different timeWe originally withdrew them last year while the flamingo house underwent a major revamp -
12 February 2019
Wader Lake essential works - Jan 2019
WWT Washington's reserve team will be carrying out some essential maintenance on Wader Lake this week (Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019). The dedicated team of staff and volunteers at WWT Washington will be renewing and enhancing the existing
15 January 2019
Splashing family fun this February half-term
Grab your wellies and join us outdoors as we host our 2019 Puddle Jumping Championships this coming February half-term – guaranteed fun whatever the North East weather! Warm up in our puddle jumping practice zone before challenging your family and frien
21 December 2018
Join us for a wild winter adventure
We’re here for you and for wildlife 364 days a year including all throughout the holidays*, so don’t let a little thing like the weather put you off spending time in the great outdoors! Not all wildlife sleeps during the winter, so fling on a coat, pu
30 November 2018
Washington warden joins international effort to save swan species
Catching and ringing Bewick’s swans on the Russian tundra is no normal business trip. The birds are truly wild and as such favour the remote. Our reserve warden David Dinsley spent two weeks alongside these iconic birds in August as part of Expedition B
4 September 2018
Wildlife sightings - 04/09/18
a.m. Tide level: Mid Wader Lake Avocet (1 ad 1 juv) 2 Redshank 31 Common snipe 3 Black-tailed godwit 2 Black-headed gull 13 Pied wagtail 3 Swallow 3 Saline Lagoon Redshank 3 Green Sandpiper 1 Curlew 1 Hawthorn Wood Great spotted woodpecker 2 Nuthatch 1 Bu
4 September 2018
Essential work on Wader Lake in September
After another breeding season on Wader Lake, it's time to get the area in top condition for the arrival of autumn and winter wading birds. This September, our reserve management team along with a group of dedicated volunteers will be doing some work to
3 September 2018
Wildlife sightings - 03/09/18
a.m. Tide Level: High Wader Lake Lapwing 26 Teal 45 Avocet 2 Snipe 8 Redshank 35 Black-tailed godwit 1 Dunlin 2 Stock dove 2 Common sandpiper 1 Black-headed gull 29 *Possible water rail heard briefly* Saline Lagoon Little egret 1 Grey heron 1 Greenshank
3 September 2018
Wildlife sightings - 02/09/18
a.m. Tide Level: High Wader Lake Common snipe 7 Black-tailed godwit 6 Avocet 2 Teal 13 Redshank 27 Stock dove 5 Grey heron 1 Greenshank 2 Green sandpiper 1 Pied wagtail 4 Lapwing 39 Saline Lagoon Grey heron 1 Snipe 2 Curlew 1 Hawthorn Wood Great spotted w
2 September 2018
Wish us luck as you wave us goodbye
WWT Washington's Asian short-clawed otter family (image by Ian Henderson) Lots of our visitors will be aware that our family of Asian short-clawed otters are part of a global species studbook, aimed at conserving hea
17 August 2018
Kestrel thriving after 10 year hiatus
Kestrel juveniles by Ian Hamilton Kestrel are thriving at Washington Wetland Centre for the first time in more than a decade, thanks to funding to improve key meadow habitat. The Making Meadows project was awar
15 July 2018
Solar-powered flamingo house nears completion
Remember back in autumn 2017 when we made a bid to the Marks and Spencer Energy Fund to install solar panels to our flamingo house? And after a huge wave of support following an online campaign (which saw local landmark Penshaw Monument turn pink!) we onl
4 July 2018
Join us for a summer of wild adventure
Dusty Duck is back for another adventure-packed summer of outdoor fun with Dusty’s Wildlife Rangers at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. Children can grab their FREE Wildlife Ranger logbook on arrival throughout the holidays and take on loads of exciting c
21 June 2018
Future architects create homes for wildlife
Students from Newcastle University have worked alongside our staff to create exciting new habitats for the wildlife we protect on site. The third year Architecture degree students have collectively produced an experimental nature trail as an invitation fo
14 May 2018