Washington news
The latest from the saline lagoon
Black-tailed godwit by Ian Hamilton It has been 18 months since the River Wear first breached its banks and entered the saline lagoon. Since then, a host of wildlife has visited or moved into the newly-developed area,
16 September 2013
Breeding first for Abyssinian blue-winged geese
Abyssinian blue-winged gosling at one-day-old An Abyssinian blue-winged goose has hatched at WWT Washington Wetland Centre for the very first time! The young gosling was incubated and hatched by aviculture expert Owe
5 September 2013
Duckery update
The latest news on what’s been ‘matching and hatching' among our rare and endangered waterbirds... Red-billed whistling duck The breeding season is coming to a close up at the duckery, but there’s still time to
20 August 2013
Making other days out seem a little dry!
Pond dipping by Heather Tait With the summer season in full swing, a visit to WWT Washington Wetland Centre can make other days out seem a little dry. Spending time near water is an essential summer experience and mak
15 August 2013
Wildlife reserve update
I’m pleased to report that all 12 avocet young have successfully fledged from Wader Lake. An avocet In the past, once the young avocets have fledged, they quickly depart site. But this year, the young birds have b
8 August 2013
Help count and conserve butterflies this summer
Joanna Lumley promoting the Big Butterfly Count at the London Wetland Centre Screen legend and passionate environmental campaigner Joanna Lumley has officially launched the Big Butterfly Count 2013 at WWT London Wetl
24 July 2013
Whittling in the wetlands
Woodworker Mark Crowley was here recently making walking sticks, whistles and funny wooden faces with recycled wood and natural sticks up at the barn. He's back on Friday 23 August (when our birds of prey event is on too) from 11am-2pm, so why not come o
23 July 2013
See moths while the sun shines - July reserve update
Chimney sweeper moth "The recent hot weather has seen many day-flying moths across site and we’re having a great year for the often overlooked chimney sweeper moth (Odezia atrata) which can be found at Old Oak Meado
17 July 2013
Returning avocets set new wildlife record
A bird which made local wildlife history when it hatched chicks at WWT Washington for the very first time has broken yet another record. An avocet with two chicks (Ian Hamilton 2012) Four pairs of avocet have nested a
21 June 2013
WWT Washington earns 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
Image by Alan Hewitt WWT Washington Wetland Centre has been honoured as a top performing visitor attraction by users of the world’s largest and best-known travel site. Our 103-acre nature reserve and wetland centre
17 June 2013
Wood sandpiper at Wader Lake
This fantastic wood sandpiper was snapped at Wader Lake yesterday (12 June). It's not a site first but we typically only see one a year. Thanks to Ian Hamilton for the pic :-)
13 June 2013
New £120K habitat-creation project unveiled
Saline lagoon view An example of one of the UK’s rarest habitats is being unveiled to the public at WWT Washington Wetland Centre this weekend. A £120K saline lagoon, funded by SITA Trust and the Estate of the late
24 May 2013
WWT Washington named one of England's best small visitor attractions
Lady Cobham, Chair of VisitEngland, presents the award WWT Washington Wetland Centre is thrilled to announce it has won the ‘highly commended’ award in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the pres
22 May 2013
Saline lagoon opening
Our saline lagoon is opening to the public on Saturday 25 May. Take a first-look around this fantastic new £120k development, funded by SITA Trust and the Estate of the late Mrs M A Sheard, which has already been visited by roe deer, wild otter and a w
9 May 2013
Five go off on an adventure (video)!
The chicks get used to their new surroundings Frankie, Nico, Fran, Phil and Flo – WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s very own famous five flamingo chicks – have embarked on their biggest adventure yet; moving in w
5 May 2013