Visitor donation supports opening of new wildlife hide

21 March 2024

We’re delighted to announce that a new wildlife viewing hide is now open to visitors.

The Vic Robins hide - which is on the east side of Wader Lake - was kindly funded by WWT Washington visitor Viv Coy. Viv and her husband Vic visited the Princes Trust Hide (which previously stood in this spot) every time they visited us, which has been over 30 years! When the old hide had to be demolished last year, Viv spoke to us to ask what our plans were for the area. She decided that donating the new hide in Vic’s memory would be a fitting tribute and allow her to spend time there again in the comfort of his hide.

Viv said:

"Vic and I first visited WWT Washington in the late 1980’s and soon became members, visiting regularly, experiencing the wildlife and many exhibits and attending various events. Over the years, we learnt about a huge variety of bird species, as well as the wider wetland environment and eco-systems.
By the time we both retired 10 years ago, we were avid birders and keen environmentalists, with interests widening to butterflies, dragonflies, bees and wild flowers. We still enjoyed our regular walks around WWT Washington, visiting all the meadows, ponds and hides to spot whatever wildlife was visiting."

Vic was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017 and sadly, passed away in May 2021. Viv still regularly visits and walk 'their route’ around the site. Viv added:

"I was really pleased when the opportunity to provide a new hide for WWT Washington came about this year. And doubly pleased that it could be named after my late husband, Vic Robins."

We’re incredibly grateful to Viv for her support and pleased we were able to be part of her tribute to Vic.

As summer approaches, we’re very excited to see what wildlife will be spotted from the new hide, especially after recent works to desilt and deepen channels in the lake, as well as building the sand martin bank at the end of last year’s breeding season. With sand martins being regular summer visitors to the lake, we'll hopefully see them settling down and rearing youngsters in their new bespoke home, where the Vic Robins hide will become the perfect spot to watch them.