News - Washington
How our animals stay cool in hot weather
With the recent hot weather and more forecast, we often get asked how we help keep our animals cool. There's no real art to keeping our birds and otter family cool; many techniques are down to their own adaptations. But there are definitely some ways we
13 August 2022
Amazing moths!
Moths are arguably the Marmite of the insect world but for us, it’s a definite love.Often feared or maligned as dusty, cloth-eating pests, these fascinating creatures are more similar to their colourful butterfly cousins than you might realise – and a
10 August 2022
Placement student gains valuable experience at Washington Wetland Centre
Each and every day we are inspired by our staff and volunteers. We are very fortunate to work in an environment with so much passion, knowledge and trust. One where we motive our peers and encourage growth for anyone that wants it. We open this opportuni
8 August 2022
Families flock to Washington Wetland Centre to become fully-fledged Junior Wetland Rangers
North East families looking for some fun with a difference this summer are heading to a Wearside wetland reserve to become fully-fledged Junior Wetland Rangers. Young visitors to Washington Wetland Centre are getting hands-on with real-life rangers durin
2 August 2022
Top 5 things to do this summer at Washington Wetland Centre
Families across the North East can follow in the muddy footsteps of Washington Wetland Centre’s rangers this summer, with a host of daily hands-on activities designed to teach conservation skills while having fun outdoors. Read on for our Top Tip
25 July 2022
Rare Meller’s ducks hatch at Washington Wetland Centre
A duck on the verge of becoming critically endangered has successfully bred at a Wearside wetland reserve. Four Meller’s ducklings – one of the world’s rarest and least known species of waterfowl – hatched on 7 July at Washington Wetland Centre
19 July 2022
Chill out in our wetlands as the heat rises
With the heat rising again across the region, why not bring your temperature down on a visit to our wonderfully cooling wetlands? Let the kids splash around in our wet play area - complete with giant working tap and Archimedes screw - while you chill o
14 July 2022
Be a Junior Wetland Ranger this summer
Have you got what it takes to help save wetland nature? Be a Junior Wetland Ranger this summer and find out!Families across the North East can follow in the muddy footsteps of Washington Wetland Centre’s rangers this school summer holiday, with a host o
13 July 2022
New plan calls for urban wetlands
New plan calls for urban wetlands to help ‘level up’ inequalities in wellbeing
6 July 2022
Endangered ducklings now on show at specialist duckery
To recently hatched white-headed ducklings have taken their first steps outside
6 July 2022
Mud glorious mud!
Today is #InternationalMudDay. We love mud here at Washington Wetland Centre, but it is something that is so often overlooked. It offers a great food source, protection and is a huge carbon store. Here's just a handful of the reasons why we think mud is t
29 June 2022
A mighty year for new life on Wader Lake
We're very excited here at Washington Wetland Centre as we continue through what is turning to be a very successful summer breeding season around our wild reserve. There are LOTS of youngsters around pretty much everywhere you look, whether that be chir
22 June 2022
History-making common crane chick is thriving one month on
Last month we celebrated the arrival of our first ever common crane chick and, one month later, it’s still thriving! Hatching on 9 May, the common crane chick was welcome news for the 15 year old adults who have been at the wetland centre since 2008.
16 June 2022
Cockchafer beetle getting to know our local moths
Cockchafer beetles are known for their noisy slightly clumsy flight and 'feathered' antennae, but they were also once on the decline due to the use of pesticides in the 1900s. Also known as a May bug, doodlebug or if you want to go really fancy, melolont
6 June 2022
Our team's quick action helped otter mum Mimi
When it comes to animal care, our living collection team are second to none at picking up when something is just a little bit off. So when Asian short-clawed otter mum Mimi wasn't acting herself, they jumped into action to investigate... During the norm
1 June 2022