The meadows around our reserve are being cut this week as part of our reserve management plan. This may mean there's some disturbance around Wader Lake and saline lagoon. Thank you for your patience as we do this essential work.

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The art in autumn leaves

The art in autumn leaves

Autumn is the time of year we see a dramatic change of colour within nature. But the science behind it is really quite clever...

31 October 2023

Top Things to do This Autumn

Top Things to do This Autumn

Autumnal wetlands are spectacular places to be.With dramatic skies, an abundance of bird life and colour aplenty, they are truly uplifting in their beauty and offer something to engage people of all ages and interests.Knowing that there’s so much to dis

26 October 2023

Restore your mental wellbeing  in our uplifting wetlands this autumn

Restore your mental wellbeing in our uplifting wetlands this autumn

Whether it’s a gently swaying reedbed, a calm meandering river, huge open skies above a glass-like lake or the seclusion of a small woodland pond, wetlands in all their forms offer us a ready distraction from our everyday lives. Not only do they give u

10 October 2023

Reedbeds - Drawn to Water top tips

Reedbeds - Drawn to Water top tips

Our Drawn to Water guide is a great way to highlight key areas of our collection and wild reserve that are often overlooked. With many spots to stop, look and listen; you'll find there's so much more to most places than first meets the eye (and ear!). It'

10 August 2023

Red-listed willow tit breed on our reserve

Red-listed willow tit breed on our reserve

Seven red-listed willow tit – the UK’s fastest declining resident bird species – have successfully hatched and fledged at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. The young birds, which left the nest in May, are the offspring of an adult willow tit pair, whi

9 August 2023

Five ways to spend your summer at Washington Wetland Centre

Five ways to spend your summer at Washington Wetland Centre

With a host of wetland wildlife, hands-on outdoor activities and a Quentin Blake-illustrated trail to enjoy, what amazing nature connections will you make while you’re here? Summer is upon us, bringing with it the chance to experience all that our gl

19 July 2023

Mini-wetland revolution could help North East wildlife beat the heat and boost urban biodiversity

Mini-wetland revolution could help North East wildlife beat the heat and boost urban biodiversity

From drainpipe wetlands to bogs in backyards, WWT Washington is calling on North East residents to make room for nature by creating a network of urban mini-wetlands across the region. As summer temperatures look set to soar, WWT has launched its Mini-

12 July 2023

Habitat works lead to baby boom on Wader Lake

Habitat works lead to baby boom on Wader Lake

A TWO-YEAR desilting project designed to bring wetland wildlife and people closer together has led to a summer duckling baby boom at WWT Washington. Dozens of gadwall (below) and tufted duck youngsters are thriving on Wader Lake for the first time in r

6 July 2023

Chill out in our cooling wetlands as the heat rises

Chill out in our cooling wetlands as the heat rises

With hot weather expected for the next few days, why not bring your temperature down on a visit to our wonderfully cooling wetlands?Take a midweek wander through our shady ancient woodland, alongside bubbling Spring Gill, or meander round our sparkling po

13 June 2023

Wellbeing and our wetlands: a summer guide

Wellbeing and our wetlands: a summer guide

World Wellbeing Week begins on 26 June - a gentle reminder to ourselves that, in an ever more hectic world, our physical and mental health is something we should prioritise whenever we can. Easier said than done, we admit, but taking time for yourself is

8 June 2023

It's our birthday! WWT Washington turns 48

It's our birthday! WWT Washington turns 48

Happy 48th birthday to us! When our doors first opened on the morning of 29 May 1975 – at a cost of 40p for adults and 20p for children – we wonder if the team greeting those new visitors could have even begun to imagine the amazing things we'

28 May 2023

How our animals keep their cool in hot weather

How our animals keep their cool in hot weather

With the current rising temperatures and more sunshine on its way, a question we often get asked is how do we keep our animals cool? To help them cope with heat more easily, our birds and otters do have some natural adaptations. But we also like

24 May 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

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