News - Washington
National tourism award finals beckon for WWT Washington
WWT Washington Wetland Centre is thrilled to announce that it is a finalist in the Small Visitor Attraction category of the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013. Eurasian crane by Kaleel Zibe Excited st
21 March 2013
Star student scoops major science award for flamingo flock project
A North East research student has been named the UK’s Young Scientist of the Year 2013 for her work involving some of WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s most endangered waterbirds. Emily O’Regan clinched the prestigious title at the National Science +
19 March 2013
Washington volunteer clinches top zoo job
A Washington volunteer has flown the nest and landed a top aviculture job at an internationally-renowned conservation charity. Rebecca Meikle, who began volunteering alongside captive animal manager Owen Joiner at the age of 15, fought of tough competitio
13 March 2013
Essential tree works taking place
We have essential tree surgery taking place on site from Monday 11 March for a few days. This will involve the removal of some dangerous trees and the pollarding or coppicing of others. We will try to keep disruption to an absolute minimum but apologise f
7 March 2013
A 'wood'-erful new welcome for our visitors
Doesn’t the new dead-hedge fence winding down our entrance path look brilliant!? It’s the work of our reserve warden John and his very dedicated volunteers, who have spent a great deal of time and effort on it. As well as creating a rather magical-loo
7 March 2013
Besottered! When Musa met Mimi...
Musa the otter has met his love match! Musa (top) and Mimi. Photo by Annie Lee. Our resident Asian short-clawed otter has fallen head over paws for an 18-month-old female brought in from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Tr
21 February 2013
Wildlife reserve update
February wildlife reserve update from reserve manager John Gowland... The grey heron colony – voted one of the UK’s best by Countryfile magazine in 2012 – has begun to return to Wader Lake. Grey heron The birds
18 February 2013
Centre wins gold in regional tourism awards
Staff and volunteers at WWT Washington Wetland Centre are celebrating after scooping a major tourism award. The centre has been named the region’s Best Small Visitor Attraction in the North East England Tourism Awards 2012 and now goes forward to the pr
4 February 2013
Otter-feeding, flamingo-cuddling and cake-eating with Mike Dilger!
Mike Dilger has visited WWT Washington on the seventh leg of his Big 9 Challenge - and what a visit it was! Mike feeds Musa Marketing manager Leanne McCormella said: “We had a fantastic day with Mike, who proved a n
1 February 2013
Wild otters caught on camera for very first time
Wild otters living on the River Wear have been captured on camera by WWT Washington Wetland Centre for the very first time. Filmed using a motion sensor camera on loan from Durham Wildlife Trust, the night-time footage shows an inquisitive otter exploring
20 December 2012
Photograph captures the wonder of wetlands to win national recognition for local talent
A stunningly colourful sunset illuminates the winter sky over WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s Wader Lake... Sunset from the hide by Ian Cook This striking image has scooped second place for photographer Ian Cook, in
14 December 2012
Wildlife reserve update
John Gowland As winter’s chilly grip takes hold, the berry shrubs and trees across site are being quickly depleted by birds fattening up for the season ahead. Recently, our visitors and members were treated to fan
9 December 2012
Last chance to inspire with letter-writing talents
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Scott 100 letters ‘Inspiring Generations’ letter-writing competition ends on Friday 30 November. So to be in with a chance of winning a fantastic holiday – while making a difference to the environment – WWT is
21 November 2012
Flamingo chicks hand-reared at WWT Washington for very first time
A quintet of fluffy flamingo chicks is being hand-reared at WWT Washington Wetland Centre for the very first time. Owen syringe-feeds one of the chicks Aviculture expert Owen Joiner is providing round-the-clock care f
16 October 2012
Three is the magic number for birthday boys Rod and Musa!
It was party time at WWT Washington Wetland Centre as Asian short-clawed otters Rod and Musa celebrated their third birthday. Fishy treats for the birthday boys The cheeky pair marked their special day by devouring h
5 October 2012