Washington news
Spotting dragons and damsels
Prehistoric creatures fly free on our wild reserve. They're fearless. They're top predators. And they're a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem. What are they? Well, they are dragonflies and damselflies of course! During the summer here at WWT Washington
3 July 2025
Lets talk about invasive species - crassula helmsii
We wanted to highlight a key invasive plant species that we actively manage here at WWT Washington. Crassula helmsii (also know as New Zealand pigmyweed) is a non-native invasive plant oringinally found in Australia and New Zealand. It's an aquatic speci
1 July 2025
A day in the life of a newly emerged dragonfly
Spotting dragonflies just after they've emerged and shed their exoskeleton is a pretty exciting wildlife encounter... Reserve warden Kate shares her encounter with a teneral Southern hawker dragonfly at the verge of Spring Gill last July. She shares so
28 June 2025
Wet Wood proves to be a big hit!
Wet Wood, WWT Washington's rare wetland habitat has been back open since the end of May and is proving a big hit for visitors! The woodland - which reopened as part of the centre's 50th birthday celebrations - promised visitors a calm and tranquil atmosp
23 June 2025
Baby boom for WWT Washington's Wader Lake
This time of year is one of favourites here at WWT Washington Wetland Centre with vibrant green leaves aplenty and flowers as far as the eye can see. On Wader Lake, the space has transformed into nature's nursery with lots of fluffy new arrivals hatching
21 June 2025
Summer exploring whatever the weather
While wet weather can be a little off-putting, it can actually make for a perfect rainy day, summer adventure! With lots of things to see, smell and listen out for, there's so much to explore in our woodlands and wetlands during the wetter weather - and
19 June 2025
Top tips to IDing juvenile birds in Hawthorn Wood
Summer sounds and fledglings galore in Hawthorn Wood Hide can cause some ID confusion - Blog written by reserve volunteer Melissa Young Hawthorn Wood hide has to be one of my favourite places out on the reserve, and whilst it goes a little quiet durin
19 June 2025
Common crane chick hatches at WWT Washington
A common crane chick has hatched at Wearside’s WWT Washington Wetland Centre, a first for three years! The youngster hatched on Wednesday 21 May – a week before the wetland centre celebrated it’s 50th birthday – under the watchful eyes of its p
17 June 2025
Meet the team: Gill Pipes - Centre Manager (part 1)
This June, we're excited to chat to our leader Gill Pipes, Centre Manager at WWT Washington! Gill has been on a long journey with the centre, developing a love of the site from a young age. In this first part of Gill's Q&A, she talks about the rewards and challenges of her role, and how the team collaborate for a shared goal.
12 June 2025
WWT Washington hits 50 year milestone and celebrates its history!
The popular wildlife centre initially opened to the general public in May 1975, transforming from rugged and hilly farmland to a haven for wildlife and people.
23 May 2025
WWT Washington's Wet Wood reopens to the public
After over a decade of being closed to visitors, the team at WWT Washington have reopened Wet Wood as part of the centre's 50th birthday celebrations on Thursday 29 May!
21 May 2025
Upcoming celebrations for 50th birthday of Wearside nature reserve
WWT Washington Wetland Centre is celebrating its 50th birthday next week and invites everyone to share their memories. First opening on the morning of 29 May 1975 at a cost of 40p for adults and 20p for children, the visitor centre–which runs adjacent
19 May 2025
Meet the Team: Owen Wright - Volunteer photographer
This month we say 'hello' to one half of our volunteer photographers, Owen Wright. We know that capturing the moment at our wetlands is something many photographers enjoy, and Owen is no exception. In this Q&A, he tells us what he enjoys most about his role.
9 May 2025
Spring photography hints and tips
Enjoy some top tips when it comes to photographing wildlife at Washington Wetland Centre thanks to our own volunteer photographer, Ian Henderson
13 April 2025
Wigwam home hoping to entice bearded tit to WWT Washington
The reserve team at WWT Washington Wetland Centre have been working hard to introduce new habitat around the saline lagoon for a number of birds. More recently, their focus has been on bearded tits! A quirky wigwam has been purpose built out of materials
11 April 2025