Washington news
Oooh, avocet another new record!?
A bird which made local wildlife history when it hatched chicks on Wearside for the very first time looks set to break yet another record at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. Three of the avocet chicks with a parent (quite ha
29 April 2012
Spotlight shines on WWT Washington's grey heron colony
WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s grey heron colony has been named one of the best in the UK by Countryfile magazine (http://www.countryfile.com/countryside/wildlife-watch-out-march). The heronry – one of the largest in the country – has been steadily
1 April 2012
Easter fun and Animal Antics this April
WWT Washington is springing into action this April, with fun and activities for all the family during Easter and beyond. Discover new life and nature blooming all around, including beautiful spring flowers, butterflies and amphibians, and baby chicks that
27 March 2012
Cheeky bronze-winged ducks (video)!
Meet our gregarious, noisy, nibbly bronze-winged ducks – which we wouldn’t have any other way. Quite difficult to film while stumbling backwards over your own feet; much better to see and be chased by them in person! They’re also known as ‘specta
22 March 2012
The latest from the saline lagoon..
The empty lagoon 'before'. Our new saline lagoon was breached for the first time on 7/3/2012, with the River Wear flooding in at high tide. Please see below for pics and footage of this amazing event - to s
13 March 2012
Wildlife update from Wader Lake...
NEWSFLASH - a seventh and eight avocet arrived 10/3/2012! Read on for the latest news from Wader Lake, in the words of our reserve manager, John Gowland. “At the moment, Wader Lake is definitely the star of the reserve. Hopefully all the hard work put i
9 March 2012
Why I otter! (or 'When Rod and Musa met a tasty-looking video camera')...
Rod and Musa (pic by Charlie Syme) Ahhhh, fame at last! Check out our cheeky Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa on the Sky Tyne and Wear website... http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/14262 To see more great videos, visit the Sky Tyne and Wear
8 March 2012
Artists of the month - David and Louise Gibbon
[caption id="attachment_9406" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Red squirrel"] Goldfinch flying David and Louise Gibbon are husband and wife wildlife photographers who became interested in taking nature photographs after first visiting RSPB Salthol
2 March 2012
Give the birds and the bees a helping hand during WWT's festival of gardening for wildlife month
WWT Washington Wetland Centre is celebrating gardens and their unique wildlife this March, with a medley of green-fingered activities for the whole family to enjoy. Supported by NFU Mutual, WWT’s Festival of Gardening for Wildlife is highlighting the im
1 March 2012
Sneak preview of new saline lagoon
Visitors are invited to join a special guided tour of WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s new saline lagoon this weekend, before the habitat is flooded and an array of local wildlife begins to move in. The £100,000 project, funded by the SITA trust, is due
23 February 2012
Wildlife reserve prepares for spring/summer arrivals
Preparation is underway for the breeding season out on WWT Washington’s wildlife reserve. Reserve manager John Gowland said: “We have begun lowering the level of Wader Lake by gradually lifting the top sluice board, allowing the water to slowly drain
22 February 2012
Update from our wildlife reserve
Depsite the chilly temperatures of late, spring is definitely on its way out on our wildlife reserve. Hares have been spotted playing on Old Oak meadow and the grey heron colony is nesting in earnest. Wardens think a couple of pairs may already be incub
14 February 2012
A bird (almost!) in the hand
It was so cold at the weekend, this hungry robin almost ate his high-energy lard and seed brekkie straight from the warden’s hand! Our reserve manager John Gowland said: “All of our birds have been feeling the cold recently – the exotic collection
13 February 2012
"Once more unto the breach dear friends"...
The breach is just visible in front of the digger The riverbank at the saline lagoon has now been breached and we expect the habitat to flood for the first time during high tide on Friday 9 March (about 4pm). Join us
10 February 2012
The latest from the saline lagoon...
The fence along the river bank has been removed in preparation for connecting our site with the River Wear The landscaping of the lagoon is pr
8 February 2012