Enjoy the well-being benefits of our wonderful wetlands
After months of being unable to see our visitors and members, our wetlands are once again starting to welcome people back – and we could not be happier to have you!
Amidst the long days of lockdown, we tried to bring the wonder of the outdoors directly into your homes instead.
Maybe you watched one of our Facebook Live videos – offering virtual walk-throughs of areas such as Hollowood and Close Encounters – or enjoyed a ‘Monday Mindful Minute’, a simple 60 seconds of footage from site, designed to bring a sense of calm and encourage you to take a moment out of your day https://www.facebook.com/wwtwashington/videos/?ref...
During this time, what soon became apparent was that, as humans – and more importantly, as isolated ones – we had never felt more acutely our absolute need to be connected to nature and we gained a whole new appreciation of its powerful health benefits.
In fact, during spring 2020, 85% of adults reported that being in nature makes them very happy and this was consistent across different population groups (The People & Nature Survey for England 2020). So now, as the world slowly returns to a new normal, why not get closer to nature in person once again?
With spring life blooming all around, our 103 acres of beautiful wetlands, woodlands and meadows provide a safe, healing haven to those who need somewhere to relax, be uplifted or just simply ‘be’, with a myriad of quiet spaces, hidden spots and open vistas to explore.
Below are just a few areas of site that our team finds special and would like to share with you. Plus, read more about how nature can make us feel better here https://www.wwt.org.uk/news-and-stories/blog/natur...
"Spring Gill has got that ancient feel, lots of statuesque trees, mature old woodland, bubbling stream sounds, plenty of nooks and crannies for birds, bats and beetles! I love that it is almost untouched and that’s how nature has matured and thrived. Chance encounters could be squirrel, deer, buzzard, even kingfisher! It’s a place where the seasons show off their best - be it bluebells, autumn hues or a frosty serenity."
Joanne Newbury - Learning Manager
"One of my favourite spots is Wader Lake. I'm so lucky that I get to manage and monitor the habitat and wildlife here, regularly getting the opportunity to be out on the meadow or the lake itself. For me this is always a thrill as I see the site from a different point of view. One of the biggest highlights for me is watching the hundreds of curlew coming in to roost on the lake each evening during the winter."
John Gowland - Reserve Manager
"I love the river view point. Especially at high tide and when the tide is going out. I like to watch the power of the river and think about what might be going on under the water. How many animals are invisible under the surface, getting transported by this huge unstoppable force, just going with it, knowing that eventually they’ll stop somewhere and just start again wherever they stop. Then there’s the bird life using the path of the river as a flyway. You never know what you’re going to see. I also like the thrill of that first peep over the railings at the mud below to see if there are any otter tracks or air holes in the mud from worms or molluscs."
Gill Pipes - Centre Manager
"The picnic benches behind the pondzone get my vote. You get a nice view over the whole site and it’s generally quiet up there. It’s my go to place when I need 5 minutes to myself! It’s also a bit of a sun trap up there so there’s always the chance of a bit of bug spotting in the summer as well."
Dan Barker - Grounds & Facilities Manager
"I love the path point between the river facing the saline lagoon. Especially at sunset as the orange willow emulates the colours of the setting sun as it goes down past the saline lagoon meadow. Often you can also see the golden eye on the river as well as the kingfisher in the gully. With mute swans coming off wader lake so low that you almost feel like you can touch them. It’s a very special place to me as with the fluctuation of the tide it always looks a little different every day."
Tonisha Lawrence - Reserve placement student
