News - Washington
Wearside children wrap up kindness at wetland centre
'Tis the season of goodwill and giving to others, and at WWT Washington Wetland Centre this sentiment is in full swing as over a hundred gifts will be collected and donated to local causes.
4 December 2019
First flamingo chick in 4 years hatches
A long-awaited Chilean flamingo egg has successfully hatched at WWT Washington Wetland Centre – the first chick to arrive in over four years!
29 August 2019
First flamingo egg for four years laid at WWT Washington
A Chilean flamingo egg has been successfully laid at WWT Washington Wetland Centre – the first in over four years.
5 August 2019
Friday 12 July - at least partial site closure
Thursday 11th’s heavy rain has caused some damage to our site. All of our animals and staff are okay, but we need to focus on making everything safe.
11 July 2019
Record avocet numbers
WWT Washington have recorded their highest ever number of avocet on site so far this year
30 April 2019
New times for daily animal talks
Our daily Chilean flamingo talks begin again on Saturday 16 February and, along with our daily commentated otter feeds, will now be held at a slightly different timeWe originally withdrew them last year while the flamingo house underwent a major revamp -
12 February 2019
Wader Lake essential works - Jan 2019
WWT Washington's reserve team will be carrying out some essential maintenance on Wader Lake this week (Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019). The dedicated team of staff and volunteers at WWT Washington will be renewing and enhancing the existing
15 January 2019
Splashing family fun this February half-term
Grab your wellies and join us outdoors as we host our 2019 Puddle Jumping Championships this coming February half-term – guaranteed fun whatever the North East weather! Warm up in our puddle jumping practice zone before challenging your family and frien
21 December 2018
Join us for a wild winter adventure
We’re here for you and for wildlife 364 days a year including all throughout the holidays*, so don’t let a little thing like the weather put you off spending time in the great outdoors! Not all wildlife sleeps during the winter, so fling on a coat, pu
30 November 2018
Washington warden joins international effort to save swan species
Catching and ringing Bewick’s swans on the Russian tundra is no normal business trip. The birds are truly wild and as such favour the remote. Our reserve warden David Dinsley spent two weeks alongside these iconic birds in August as part of Expedition B
4 September 2018
Essential work on Wader Lake in September
After another breeding season on Wader Lake, it's time to get the area in top condition for the arrival of autumn and winter wading birds. This September, our reserve management team along with a group of dedicated volunteers will be doing some work to
3 September 2018
Wish us luck as you wave us goodbye
WWT Washington's Asian short-clawed otter family (image by Ian Henderson) Lots of our visitors will be aware that our family of Asian short-clawed otters are part of a global species studbook, aimed at conserving hea
17 August 2018
Kestrel thriving after 10 year hiatus
Kestrel juveniles by Ian Hamilton Kestrel are thriving at Washington Wetland Centre for the first time in more than a decade, thanks to funding to improve key meadow habitat. The Making Meadows project was awar
15 July 2018
Solar-powered flamingo house nears completion
Remember back in autumn 2017 when we made a bid to the Marks and Spencer Energy Fund to install solar panels to our flamingo house? And after a huge wave of support following an online campaign (which saw local landmark Penshaw Monument turn pink!) we onl
4 July 2018
Join us for a summer of wild adventure
Dusty Duck is back for another adventure-packed summer of outdoor fun with Dusty’s Wildlife Rangers at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. Children can grab their FREE Wildlife Ranger logbook on arrival throughout the holidays and take on loads of exciting c
21 June 2018