Washington news
Close Encounters - Drawn to Water top tips
Close Encounters has a certain charm that draws you in. It's a tranquil space that is filled with life! As one of the first exhibits you reach on the west of our collection, Close Encounters has it all - quirky and interesting water birds, scented flowe
31 July 2023
Stream Channel - Drawn to Water top tips
Our Stream Channel is a hive of activity, full of flowering plants, swaying trees, buzzing insects and exciting bird life. For many visitors who walk past this area, it is merely a corridor to get out onto our wider reserve. To that we say: 'you don't k
25 July 2023
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
Summer activities at WWT Washington
Outdoor, nature, summer fun! The countdown is on to the summer holidays - are you prepared? Why not join the fun here at Washington and enjoy wildlife challenges and hands-on activities such as pond dipping, mini-beast hunting, natural printing and so m
13 July 2023
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
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
Summer photography hints and tips
Summer at WWT Washington brings with it so many delights and photographic opportunities throughout the reserve. There is something of interest at almost every turn. Blog written by volunteer photographer Ian Henderson It’s difficult to know just wh
26 June 2023
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
22 June 2023
Celebrating our wetland superstar dads
Fathers come in many forms and the natural world is full of wonderful examples of dedicated dads at their most loving, protective and nurturing. This Father’s Day we pay homage to some of our wetland superstar patriarchs and give thanks to all of the am
16 June 2023
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
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
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
May half term in a nutshell
Join us for a host of nature-themed arts, crafts and creative sessions this May half term.
25 May 2023
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
Quentin Blake’s art drawing people to nature at WWT Washington
People across the North East can now see the wonder of wetland nature through the eyes of the UK’s best-loved illustrator, thanks to a new event at Washington Wetland Centre. The ‘Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT’ partnership – a collaboratio
23 May 2023