News
Last chance for a visit filled with Lego fun!
Lego lovers - there's just one month left to see the UK’s only LEGO® Brick Wetland Safari, right here at Washington Wetland Centre.Join us for a wild day out with a difference as you meet 16 GIANT colourful Lego brick animals, forming a fun interactive
5 May 2022
Build more fun into your Lego visit
The UK’s only LEGO® Brick Wetland Safari returns to Washington Wetland Centre this spring and is bigger and better than ever! Join us for a wild day out with a difference as you meet 16 GIANT colourful Lego brick animals, forming a fun interactive t
7 April 2022
Double trouble as our black swans welcome two cygnets
Our black swan pair are nestling into life as new parents as they have successfully hatched their first cygnets together, and the first black swan babies for over 6 years here at Washington Wetland Centre! The two fluffy youngsters hatched on Thursday 24
31 March 2022
Top 5 things to watch for on eider ducks
Eider ducks are a firm favourite with visitors here at Washington Wetland Centre. But from their unique call to growing beak, here's a list of quirky features to keep an eye out for when visiting our eider ducks1. Their call. We mentioned it earlier but t
19 March 2022
This spring...join us, join our cause
Spring is a fantastic time to join WWT and start discovering WWT Washington. There’s something rather exhilarating about the arrival of this most hopeful of seasons; the natural world on the cusp of new life and new beginnings. And as a WWT member
17 March 2022
Lets talk about bats
Bat boxes are a fantastic thing to have around and not only do they offer a home for our native bat population, they also help us keep track of their successes in the UK with regular surveying and checks. At this time of year, our reserve team spend ti
9 March 2022
Eyes on the skies for returning avocets
From their unexpected first appearance in June 2006, to their earliest ever arrival on February 16 2019, the buzz surrounding our avocets builds each year. These striking black and white waders may look dainty, with their slim upturned bills and delica
13 February 2022
Top 5 things to do this half term at Washington Wetland Centre
Early spring is a great time to explore nature, and with half term around the corner there's lots for families to explore! Here's our TOP 5 things to do during a visit to our wonderful wetlands! 1. Puddle Jumping Be prepared to get soaked; yes we're enc
12 February 2022
Experiencing our wetlands through your senses: a guide
Our senses play an essential part in how we interpret the natural world. But what if we don’t have full use of them, or want to absorb the magic of nature in a different way? BBC Winterwatch recently starred visually impaired photographer Alex Dit
3 February 2022
LEGO® Brick Wetland Safari and Workshops
Go on a LEGO® Brick Wetland Safari this spring or join exciting interactive workshops
2 February 2022
Otter enrichment reaches a new level
Our resident otter family are enjoying lots of new enrichment activities as part of a plan being introduced by our keepers. Mimi, Musa and Buster have started a newly formed enrichment plan put together by our living collection team, which will offer t
30 January 2022
Make a splash and jump into nature at the North East Puddle Jumping Championships!
Who will make the biggest splash and be a puddle jumping champion? Join us this February half-term at Washington Wetland Centre, as children and adults alike grab their wellies and jump into nature for our annual puddle jumping championships – guarante
26 January 2022
He did it! Photographer Alex Ditch achieves his birdwatching dream
Did you watch Alex and his journey to find the elusive kingfisher?
26 January 2022
Local visually impaired photographer's wetland journey to star in BBC's Winterwatch
Local photographer Alex Ditch is fulfilling his goal to appear in BBC's Winterwatch Alex Ditch, from Sunderland, was born with Bardet Biedl syndrome; a genetic condition which causes a range of physical issues, including blindness. The passionate 25-
25 January 2022
Falcated ducks show off their plumage!
It's been almost 7 month since our falcated ducks hatched in our specialist on-site duckery, but oh how grown up they've become! Our falcated ducks have gone through quite a transformation since hatching in early July last year (2021). Their fluffy downy
17 January 2022