Wader Lake works

Our reserve team are working on Wader Lake today (Wednesday 27 November) which may cause disturbance to the wildlife in the area. Thank you for your patience.

Close alert

Washington news

Centre wins gold tourism award

Centre wins gold tourism award

We did it! WWT Washington Wetland Centre has clinched a top spot in this year’s North East England Tourism Awards, winning gold in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category. The annual event saw more than 40 businesses compete for a number of aw

7 October 2011

Rod and Musa, the birthday boys

Rod and Musa, the birthday boys

Happy birthday boys! Rod and Musa, our cheeky Asian short-clawed otters, celebrated their 2nd birthdays in style, with tasty fishcakes and a fishy present for them to tear open. Many thanks to Sainsbury's in Washington for providing the responsibly-source

4 October 2011

Entries come flooding in for WWT Photography Competition 2011-12

Entries come flooding in for WWT Photography Competition 2011-12

Talented photographers from across the region have begun sending in their spectacular entries for the WWT Photography Competition 2011-2012. With an amazing grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica up for grabs, the competition is being held

16 September 2011

Skills of the past help protect the future of rare waterbird species

Skills of the past help protect the future of rare waterbird species

Traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge conservation have woven together to help boost rare waterbird populations at WWT Washington. Numbers of endangered white-headed ducks hatching at our centre have so far doubled this season, thanks to the Northum

26 July 2011

Flock to our fabulous flamingo festival

Flock to our fabulous flamingo festival

Think pink and flock on down to WWT Washington Wetland Centre this May for our fabulous new Flamingo Festival event (Sunday 15 May). Join us as we celebrate the beauty of this spectacular waterbird species with a host of fun activities. Visitors can turn

11 May 2011

Real-life Easter eggs hatch at WWT Washington

Real-life Easter eggs hatch at WWT Washington

An eggs-tra special Easter surprise hatched at WWT Washington this bank holiday weekend in the form of two beautiful black swan cygnets. The fluffy pair was first spotted in the nest by wardens on Easter Sunday and yesterday they could be seen enjoying th

26 April 2011

Two's company, three's a crowd, four's a colony!

Two's company, three's a crowd, four's a colony!

A bird which made local wildlife history when it hatched chicks on Wearside for the very first time looks set to break another record at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. The avocets as a trio, before the fourth arrived. Image courtesy of Ray Wilby. Four avo

16 April 2011

Real-life Easter eggs and a whole lot more...

Real-life Easter eggs and a whole lot more...

Treat your family to a wild day out at WWT Washington Wetland Centre this Easter. Spring is an eggs-tra special time of year at our award-winning conservation site; with real-life Easter eggs hatching, bluebells and primroses blooming, tadpoles wriggling

12 April 2011

Artist of the month - Tom Vaulks

Artist of the month - Tom Vaulks

WWT Washington Wetland Centre is delighted to present the work of painter Tom Vaulks, on display and on sale throughout April. Tom, originally from Easington Colliery, has been producing his impressive large-scale pieces since 1999, following an art cours

4 April 2011

Asian short-clawed otters - coming soon to WWT Washington!

Asian short-clawed otters - coming soon to WWT Washington!

There will be some furry new additions to the WWT Washington family later this year, when our Asian short-clawed otter enclosure opens to the public. A small group of these incredibly cute animals are moving in around mid-summer and they will be ready to

24 March 2011

The patter of tiny webbed feet is on its way!

The patter of tiny webbed feet is on its way!

We're happy to announce that our singleton swan has been given the perfect fairytale ending with the arrival of two perfect eggs! Following their Valentine's Day date and whirlwind courtship, Mrs Coscoroba and her new mate began nest-building and on 12 Ma

17 March 2011

Cupid's arrow strikes for lovelorn coscoroba swan

Cupid's arrow strikes for lovelorn coscoroba swan

Love is in the air at WWT Washington Wetland Centre, after a Valentine’s Day date turned into the real thing for a lovelorn singleton swan. Mrs Coscoroba before finding her mateFollowing a whirlwind romance, the centre’s female coscoroba swan - or Mrs

11 March 2011

Artist of the month - Dave Fletcher

Artist of the month - Dave Fletcher

Dave Fletcher is an award-winning photographer based in the North East of England, with over 15 years’ experience behind the lens. Completely self-taught, his images have graced the pages of many photographic publications and have clinched prizes in man

2 March 2011

A big thank you to Angus!

A big thank you to Angus!

WWT Washington Wetland Centre would like to thank photographer Angus Thompson, who has donated the proceeds of his recent exhibition to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, to help support our vital conservation work. Featuring birds from right here on site

25 February 2011

'Allo, 'Allo! Eet eez nice to meet you!

'Allo, 'Allo! Eet eez nice to meet you!

Meet the latest arrivals at WWT Washington – two handsome male Toulouse geese. Originating near Toulouse, in France, these domestic geese are well known for their ponderous appearance and the large dewlaps hanging from their necks. The breed has been re

10 February 2011