Washington news

Get on nature’s trail with Duck Detectives this Easter

Get on nature’s trail with Duck Detectives this Easter

Families across the North East can put their outdoor sleuthing skills to the test this Easter, with the ALL NEW Duck Detectives trail at WWT Washington Wetland Centre.Get close to nature and have fun exploring together, as you follow the clues around our

22 March 2023

How to tell the difference between toad and frog spawn

How to tell the difference between toad and frog spawn

How to tell the difference between toad and frog spawn Amphibians are a group of small vertebrates that are defined by a very special set of adaptations. Frogs, toads, newts and salamanders are all part of this group. Amphibians all need water, or damp

21 March 2023

Happy Mother's Day to our wetland superstar mams

Happy Mother's Day to our wetland superstar mams

Where would the natural world be without mothers? Without their protective instincts, their self-sacrifice, their love? This Mother’s Day we pay homage to some wetland superstar mams and of course, give thanks to the ultimate maternal figure looking

17 March 2023

More to mud than meets the eye - a b(l)og

More to mud than meets the eye - a b(l)og

Mud is a miracle.Bugs and mini-beasts live in it. Birds and insects make their homes and eat from it. And at WWT Washington’s ALL NEW Mudfest event this February half-term, families across the North East can find out just how much fun they can have with

16 February 2023

Seriously squelchy fun at Mudfest this February half-term

Seriously squelchy fun at Mudfest this February half-term

Mud is a miracle. Bugs and mini-beasts live in it. Birds and insects make their homes from it. And at WWT Washington’s ALL NEW Mudfest this February half-term, families across the North East can find out just how much fun they can have with it! Come

2 February 2023

Willow tit citizen science project needs YOUR help

Willow tit citizen science project needs YOUR help

Washington Wetland Centre is asking the public to be its ‘eyes and ears’ as it works to help protect the red-listed willow tit...Citizen scientists are needed to help WWT Washington save the UK’s fastest declining resident bird species. Our team

26 January 2023

Tales from the Heron Hedge

Tales from the Heron Hedge

By Kate Ferguson, reserve warden A prehistoric-sounding squawk echoes across the river as a large shadow flies overhead, stick in beak, and scattering lapwing everywhere. It’s a majestic grey heron, returning from a trip to gather nesting material fr

19 January 2023

Unwind and soak in wetland nature this winter

Unwind and soak in wetland nature this winter

Winter truly is a most wonderful time of year for wetlands. They are dramatic and changeable. Wild, watery and full of life. There’s no better place to soak in nature. So after the bustle of the festive period and with a new year sretching out ahead,

8 January 2023

Elf Academy graduates donate Christmas gifts to North East children

Elf Academy graduates donate Christmas gifts to North East children

More than 150 children across the North East will receive an extra special festive gift this year, thanks to WWT Washington’s Elf Academy graduates. The donated presents form part of the wetland centre’s annual Christmas event, which sees youngster

20 December 2022

Top 5 things to do over the festive holidays

Top 5 things to do over the festive holidays

Getting out and about in nature can be particularly rewarding after a busy few weeks of Christmas shopping, parties and family gatherings - so don't forget to plan in your down-time! Here's our 'top 5' things to do during a visit to Washington Wetland C

18 December 2022

Recovering Chilean flamingo defies odds

Recovering Chilean flamingo defies odds

A Chilean flamingo from the flock at Washington Wetland Centre has defied odds after undergoing medical procedure. Our team of keepers alongside WWT veterinarian, Julian Keleş, noticed during a routine check that 'TAX', a 40 year old Chilean flamingo, h

13 December 2022

Wader Lake project reaching new depths

Wader Lake project reaching new depths

A project designed to bring wetland wildlife and people closer together is reaching new depths out on WWT Washington’s reserve. Wader Lake, one of our site’s best wildlife hotspots, has been the focus of desilting works for more than a year, with a

1 December 2022

Soak in the wild at WWT Washington this winter

Soak in the wild at WWT Washington this winter

Winter truly is a most wonderful time of year for wetlands. They are dramatic and changeable. Wild, watery and full of life. There’s no better place to soak in nature.So why not visit WWT Washington this season and enjoy a wild winter adventure as you d

24 November 2022

Seasonal species highlights - autumn hints and tips

Seasonal species highlights - autumn hints and tips

Autumn this year has proved to be great so far, with lots of bird species being spotted on our reserve. Many visitors ask us for species highlights to look out for during a visit, so bearded tits aside (these were spotted around our saline lagoon on Sat

4 November 2022

Top 5 things to do this October half term

Top 5 things to do this October half term

Visiting our wetlands in autumn can be truly amazing. But it's great to have an idea when visiting with family and friends of the best things to do while you're here. With this in mind, we wanted to share our TOP 5 things to do this half term week! 1

17 October 2022