Come walking in a wildlife wonderland this winter
Winter is upon us in all its frosty glory, bringing sparkling opportunities for you to get up-close to wetland wildlife, recover from the festive indulgence and spend time together outdoors with family and friends at WWT Washington Wetland Centre.
What better way to kick off those healthy New Year’s resolutions!?
Late winter is one of the best times of year to visit WWT Washington; an award-winning wetland nature reserve and visitor centre on the banks of the River Wear.
Event highlights include daily otter and flamingo talks and guided warden walks; all set against picture-postcard scenery http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington/whats-on/
Out on the reserve, one of our biggest annual wildlife spectacles – the Wader Lake winter curlew roost – is peaking at about 1,000 birds, which swoop down at dusk alongside redshank and teal. Recent figures show that ours is one of the largest inland freshwater curlew roosts in the UK.
As January rolls on, our grey heron colony will return to nest in the hedge across the lake – forming one of the UK’s largest heronries at around 30 nests per season. Visitors can watch as these majestic birds perform elaborate bonding displays, squabble over territories and painstakingly carry nesting material back and forth across the water.
And at Hawthorn Wood feeding station, woodland bird species including great-spotted woodpecker, treecreeper, nuthatch and a host of tits and finches are all regulars.
This is the best time of year to see them, with the cold weather sending them flocking to the fat balls and nut feeders in huge numbers. Bullfinches in particular have been known to literally queue up on the frozen branches to wait their turn! The hide overlooking the feeding station is fully accessible and with its large windows and detailed ID charts, is an ideal place for young beginners.
So when you’re sick of the sales and tired of the TV, why not take a walk among our wonderful wildlife, breathe in the fresh air as you wander through stunning scenery, then relax with a cuppa next to panoramic wetland views in our homely restaurant?
There’s always something to see and do at WWT Washington Wetland Centre – and we’d love to see you here!
