Washington news
Wildlife reserve update
February wildlife reserve update from reserve manager John Gowland... The grey heron colony – voted one of the UK’s best by Countryfile magazine in 2012 – has begun to return to Wader Lake. Grey heron The birds
18 February 2013
Centre wins gold in regional tourism awards
Staff and volunteers at WWT Washington Wetland Centre are celebrating after scooping a major tourism award. The centre has been named the region’s Best Small Visitor Attraction in the North East England Tourism Awards 2012 and now goes forward to the pr
4 February 2013
Otter-feeding, flamingo-cuddling and cake-eating with Mike Dilger!
Mike Dilger has visited WWT Washington on the seventh leg of his Big 9 Challenge - and what a visit it was! Mike feeds Musa Marketing manager Leanne McCormella said: “We had a fantastic day with Mike, who proved a n
1 February 2013
Wild otters caught on camera for very first time
Wild otters living on the River Wear have been captured on camera by WWT Washington Wetland Centre for the very first time. Filmed using a motion sensor camera on loan from Durham Wildlife Trust, the night-time footage shows an inquisitive otter exploring
20 December 2012
Photograph captures the wonder of wetlands to win national recognition for local talent
A stunningly colourful sunset illuminates the winter sky over WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s Wader Lake... Sunset from the hide by Ian Cook This striking image has scooped second place for photographer Ian Cook, in
14 December 2012
Wildlife reserve update
John Gowland As winter’s chilly grip takes hold, the berry shrubs and trees across site are being quickly depleted by birds fattening up for the season ahead. Recently, our visitors and members were treated to fan
9 December 2012
Last chance to inspire with letter-writing talents
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Scott 100 letters ‘Inspiring Generations’ letter-writing competition ends on Friday 30 November. So to be in with a chance of winning a fantastic holiday – while making a difference to the environment – WWT is
21 November 2012
Flamingo chicks hand-reared at WWT Washington for very first time
A quintet of fluffy flamingo chicks is being hand-reared at WWT Washington Wetland Centre for the very first time. Owen syringe-feeds one of the chicks Aviculture expert Owen Joiner is providing round-the-clock care f
16 October 2012
Three is the magic number for birthday boys Rod and Musa!
It was party time at WWT Washington Wetland Centre as Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa celebrated their third birthday. Fishy treats for the birthday boys The cheeky pair marked their special day by devouring h
5 October 2012
Shop stock take
Our gift shop will be closed on the morning of Wednesday 24 October for an essential stock take. We will aim to open again after lunch and apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause you during your visit. Many thanks :-)
1 October 2012
Two local photographers scoop all five prizes in the summer heat of the WWT photography competition
Two budding amateur photographers have won a total of five top titles between them in the summer heat of WWT’s Photography Competition 2011-2012, held in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary and in association with Canon.
29 September 2012
Otter highway
A saline lagoon update from wildlife reserve manager John Gowland about the creation of a new ‘otter highway’... “A recent saline lagoon survey revealed otter tracks emerging from the River Reedbed, which then made their way up over the new view p
28 September 2012
VIDEO...baby magpie geese (hatched Friday 21 September)
Meet our first baby magpie geese! Hatched on Friday 21 September, the fluffy duo will soon be on show up at the duckery for visitors to admire :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTXUwuMXxZU
26 September 2012
October road closures
Please note that Sunderland City Council is carrying out essential road maintenance on the A1231 near our site in October. On Sundays 7, 14 and 28 October, there will be full road closures from 6am-noon, with diversions in place to ensure people can stil
25 September 2012
Free school visits scheme opens
Thousands of pupils from disadvantaged schools across the North East are being given the chance to visit WWT Washington Wetland Centre for free, thanks to the successful Inspiring Generations fundraising appeal. Head teachers from the hundreds of eligible
21 September 2012