Winter (or should that be spring!?) wildlife update

This morning felt, looked and sounded like spring at WWT Washington.

And the sunny, relatively warm start to the day must have trigged something in our wildlife!

An oystercatcher

The first oystercatcher of the year arrived on Wader Lake, only five days later than last year; a pair of kestrels has been displaying above Hawthorn Wood and the river, while the grey heron colony is in full territorial display at Wader Lake. Great tit and blue tit have also been territory displaying to each other in the woodlands.

Hazel catkins by Dr Richard Bullock

Plants are bursting into life too, with buds appearing on the many different willow species across site. Common hazel catkins are growing well and if you look closely at the female plant, you may spot the tiny attractive red flowers near the catkins themselves.

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