News
Annual habitat management is a vital part of our work
It’s the time of year when we have a small window of opportunity to undertake the management of vegetation across all 42 hectares of our site. Our site is essential for wildlife throughout the year. It’s where many birds, mammals, amphibians and inse
1 November 2016
Santa's coming to Washington this December - SOLD OUT
Christmas is coming and Santa is preparing for a busy festive period. What better way to spend a chilly December day than on a guided winter walk with a warden before a whole load of festive fun. Make a reindeer snack for Rudolph, create a wooden animal
1 November 2016
An incredible journey with a Top Trumps twist
Prepare to go on an incredible journey this autumn and learn about the amazing migration of wetland animals... by playing Top Trumps. Yes, you heard right. As part of the incredible journeys activities this half term, you’re invited to play GIANT Top Tr
19 October 2016
Annual bird health check 13-15 September
Annual bird health check 13-15 September - Every year we catch up all of our birds to give them their annual booster (much as you would your pet). We also take this opportunity to give the birds a full health check. We check that they have a good body we
13 September 2016
Popular hand feeding exhibit gets a new lease of life
A popular hand feeding area at WWT Washington will be almost unrecognisable following re-development. Flock of Common Eider. Close Encounters at WWT Washington Wetland Centre closed for re-development in January 201
12 September 2016
WWT Washington shortlisted for national award
WWT Washington Wetland Centre has been shortlisted for a national award at the Biffa Award Ceremony 2016. Common tern have done exceptionally well this season. The ceremony recognises the achievements of community and
6 September 2016
Planned habitat maintenance - Monday 5 September
On (Monday 5 September) we’ll be doing some work to the fingers on Wader Lake. The fingers are a series of short channels that create mini wetlands within a wetland, providing essential feeding grounds for wading birds who have made the lake their home.
2 September 2016
Essential habitat work on Wader Lake Wed 31 August
After an amazing breeding season on Wader Lake it's time to get it in tip top condition for the wading birds which make it their home over autumn and winter. On Wednesday 31 August, our reserve management team will be doing some work to cut back th
29 August 2016
If you build it, they will come!
A specially designed hide introduced to bring wildlife and people closer together at WWT Washington Wetland Centre is proving a huge success since its opening earlier this year. The 16-sided, accessible hide was officially opened in May and promised to he
11 August 2016
Improving habitat for wetland birds
Before the coir matting was implemented Habitat improvements at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, which will help protect wildlife nesting areas and tackle wetland erosion, have been given a funding boost by support of p
25 July 2016
Cute names for cheeky otter babies
The four cheeky cubs (from left) Ash, Tod, Pip and Sam © Ian Greneholt Although it seems like just yesterday these cheeky Asian short-clawed otter quadruplets were born, they’re now 4 months old and are positively
18 July 2016
Real life explorer swoops into Washington Wetland Centre
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s (WWT) Sacha Dench, leader of the first ever lone female paramotor expedition to follow Europe’s smallest swan on migration, swooped into Wearside nature reserve, WWT Washington Wetland Centre today in advance of her g
13 July 2016
No entry to Spring Gill today (12/07/16)
We’re undertaking essential work at Window on the Wear today which involves some heavy plant machinery - unfortunately this means that the fox proof gates into Spring Gill and the amphibian ponds will be closed for the day. The rest of the site includin
12 July 2016
Award winning show garden coming to Washington
The garden incorporates recycled materials and water plants A garden that shows people how they can help solve local flooding through gardening has won a Gold Award and Best Garden Award at the RHS Hampton Court Flowe
6 July 2016
Avocet numbers reach new record high
Regionally rare avocets have achieved a site history as the highest number has been recorded on site this year. WWT Washington Wetland Centre welcomed the first of its iconic wading birds of the season on 4 March, with numbers fluctuating over the followi
16 June 2016