Latest sightings
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/Low Avocet - 4 Shelduck - 14 Mute Swan - 2 Lapwing - 6 Redshank - 4 Teal - 4 Gadwall - 2 Shoveler - 2 Heron - 18 Oystercatcher - 2 Saline Lagoon Shelduck - 4 Mallard - 8 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch - 5 mal
27 February 2014
And then there were four!
A further three avocets arrived at Wader Lake overnight on Monday 24 February, bringing the season's total so far to four. All eyes on are now on the skies to see how many more will return! The photo we posted of the first lone bird also made it ont
26 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/Low Avocet - 4 Moorhen - 6 Mallard - 14 Teal - 1 Shelduck - 22 Lapwing - 23 Grey Heron - 20 Greylag - 7 Redshank - 30 Oystercatcher - 2 Mute Swan - 2 Canada Goose - 8 Saline Lagoon Oystercatcher - 2 Shelduck
26 February 2014
Today's Sightings
WADER LAKE/AM Avocet - 4 Shelduck - 32 Teal - 20 Mute Swan - 2 Oystercatcher - 4 Redshank - 19 Mallard - 46 Heron - 35 (26 on nests) Canada Goose - 6 Greylag Goose - 2 OTHER BIRDS/AM Jay (North Wood) - 1 Long Tailed Tit (River Path) - 8 Bullfinch
25 February 2014
Avocet on Wader Lake
The first avocet of the season arrived on Wader Lake on Sunday 23 February, a whole week earlier than the previous site record of 2 March (in 2012). Avocets have bred at WWT Washington since 2006 and last year, four pairs successfully fledged 12 young bet
24 February 2014
25th February Sightings
Weather: Cool and windy. Tide: High/ Time: Am Wader Lake Avocet - 1 (First of the year!) Shelduck - 24 Redshank - 38 Lapwing - 44 Canada Goose - 6 Greylag Goose - 2 Grey Heron - 21 Mallard - 56 Teal - 32 Moorhen - 2 Crow - 6 Saline Lagoon Teal -
23 February 2014
Wader Lake news 22 February
Today, 23 grey heron nests were occupied in the hedge at Wader Lake, with 8 pairs incubating eggs. This is one of the best times to watch the heron colony, as the birds are at different stages of breeding activity with pair bonding, displaying, nest buil
22 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake/Tide - Mid/Time - AM Grey Heron - 27 Shelduck - 30 Teal - 41 Redshank - 53 Lapwing - 10 Oystercatcher - 2 Stock Dove - 1 Saline Lagoon Teal - 44 Canada Goose - 2 Grey Heron - 1 Hawthorn Wood Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Bullfinch - 16 Chaffinch
22 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/Low 10% Frozen Grey Heron - 18 Shelduck - 24 Teal - 35 Redshank - 16 Curlew - 2 Black-headed Gull - 6 Herring Gull - 4 Saline Lagoon 80% Frozen Teal - 7 Hawthorn Wood Sparrowhawk - 1 Tr
12 February 2014
Rare visitor to river corridor
A shag has been spotted on the River Wear by our reserve manager John on his morning rounds. That's his first sighting in more than five years of working here, so he's excited to say the least! The coastal bird is most likely to have come inland because o
11 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/Mid Shelduck - 21 Canada Goose - 6 Grey Heron - 19 Greylag Goose - 1 Moorhen - 2 Lapwing - 15 Mallard - 12 Widgeon - 4 Black-backed Gull - 2 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch - 10 Robin - 4 Chaffinch - 14 Blue Tit - 4
10 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake/Tide - High/Time - AM Grey Heron - 34 Shelduck - 27 Teal - 24 Mallard - 44 Redshank - 22 Lapwing - 2 Mute Swan - 2 Saline Lagoon Teal - 25 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch - 21 Siskin - 11 Goldfinch - 2 Treecreeper - 1 Goldcrest - 1 Redwing - 5 Long Tai
8 February 2014
Today's Sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide/High Grey Heron (17 Nests) - 22 Shelduck - 24 Greylag - 18 Canada Goose - 7 Redshank - 32 Lapwing - 4 Sparrowhawk - 1 Saline Lagoon Oystercatcher - 2 Teal - 20 Hawthorn Wood Siskin - 10 Goldfinch - 4 B
7 February 2014
Today's sightings
Wader Lake Time/AM Tide Level/Mid Grey Heron - 26 (11 in trees) Redshank - 82 Oystercatcher - 4 Lapwing - 2 Shelduck - 26 Teal - 32 Canada Goose - 7 Greylag - 2 Carrion Crow - 15 Saline Lagoon Teal - 14 Mallard - 11 Shelduck - 2 Hawthorn
6 February 2014
Wildlife reserve update
Grey heron by John Bridges The grey heron colony has begun its annual return to Wader Lake, with 12 birds spotted showing nesting behaviour in the heron hedge during the first week of February. These majestic waders t
5 February 2014