A whole lot of fun for a whole lot less this February half-term
Make the most of your family’s time (and money!) this February half term, by taking a trip to WWT Washington Wetland Centre.
With a host of fun activities planned and endless opportunities to discover more about the natural world, our award-winning wildlife reserve and visitor centre has something to keep the whole brood entertained.
Go on a mini-beast hunt through Hollowood and learn about the life that lurks in dead trees (every day, 11am-noon and 1-2pm, free with admission) or build a bug hotel, mini garden or bird box and attract local wildlife to your own garden (every day, 1-3pm, small costs apply).
Join our wildlife reserve manager on a guided tour, taking in the sights, sounds and seasonal wildlife on display, and hear more about our ambitious new saline lagoon development, which will connect our site to the River Wear (Saturday 18 February, meet in the picture window at reception at 2pm. No need to book and cost is included in admission).
Plus meet our pink Chilean flamingos, rare Eurasian cranes and Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa, whose squeaky cries and cheeky behaviour are on show during daily commentated feeds (11 and and 3pm every day).
The mild January conditions have awakened our beautiful flora early this year, with snowdrops in full bloom, bluebells emerging in Spring Gill wood and hazel catkins growing well. Look closely at the female plant and you may even spot the tiny attractive red flowers near the catkins themselves.
The relatively warm weather has also triggered something in our wildlife.
Great-spotted woodpeckers have been heard drumming as part of early courtship, a pair of kestrels has been displaying above the river and the grey heron colony is in full territorial display at the heron hedge (watch them live on CCTV from the café!). Great tit and blue tit also have been territory displaying to each other in the woodlands and the first oystercatcher of the year is back on Wader Lake.
Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE.
Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits.
Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world.
Ask a member of staff or visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details.
For more information about WWT Washington, please visit our web pages, email info.washington@wwt.org.uk or call 0191 416 5454. Follow us on Twitter @WWTWashington.
