Washington news
Artist of the month - February
Artist Irene Hilsdon was born in North Shields and was originally inspired to take up painting by her father Larry Bedigan, who loved painting watercolours of landscapes and various views from the River Tyne. Asian short-clawed otter She joined the Wo
24 January 2012
Winter wildlife update
The recent cold spell has seen an increase in winter visitors on site today (20 Jan). Wildlife reserve manager John Gowland said: "As I checked the water flow at the filter reedbeds, I was privileged with great views of a male merlin sitting on one of the
20 January 2012
Lagoon pictures capture progress
The excavation of our new saline lagoon continues apace. The recent cold snap froze the muddy habitat solid, perfect conditions for the diggers to make good headway carving out the shape of the lagoon; giving it depth and width. The river reedbed shelter
19 January 2012
Cold weather makes for spectacular scenery
The recent cold snap may have had us all shivering, but it also provided some stunning photographic opportunities out on our wildlife reserve and among the exotic collection birds. Here are a couple of snaps taken by staff - one of our red-breasted geese
18 January 2012
Major work begins on new saline lagoon
Work is now underway to transform this area into a new saline lagoon The excavation of WWT Washington’s new saline lagoon has begun! Designed to improve the biodiversity of the area currently known as Sandpiper Pond
4 January 2012
New species bring a touch of the exotic this New Year
Sleeping ducks by Mandy Byatt WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s waterbird collection has been given a New Year boost by the arrival of some exotic new species. Colourful paradise shelduck from New Zealand, Northern pi
30 December 2011
North East expert's international mission to save rare birds
Please click the links below to read local press about WWT's mission to save the spoon-billed sandpiper from extinction, a mission which involved Boldon-born Nigel Jarrett; a former WWT Washington volunteer and now WWT's head of conservation breeding... h
23 December 2011
The heat is on as the next round of the WWT Photography Competition opens
The heat is on as winter approaches, not only in our cosy living rooms but for the next stage of the WWT Photography Competition, with the winter heat now open for entries. 'Autumn plumage' by June Shaw from the
2 December 2011
Happy birthday WWT!
Sir Peter Scott - WWT The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is 65 today. WWT has saved species, pioneered scientific research and helped governments and communities reap widespread benefits from wetlands. Since its
10 November 2011
Experience the spooky side of wetlands this October half-term
Families beware! Something seriously spooky is going on at WWT Washington Wetland Centre this October half-term, with plenty of creepy activities to keep the children entertained. See nocturnal nature at its worst during one of our Nature Fright Nights
13 October 2011
Kiss me quack!
'Love at first kiss' by Louise Gibbon These canoodling love birds were caught on camera at WWT Washington Wetland Centre. The image of the white-faced whistling ducks (which are actually ‘alopreening’, o
11 October 2011
Centre wins gold tourism award
We did it! WWT Washington Wetland Centre has clinched a top spot in this year’s North East England Tourism Awards, winning gold in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category. The annual event saw more than 40 businesses compete for a number of aw
7 October 2011
Rod and Musa, the birthday boys
Happy birthday boys! Rod and Musa, our cheeky Asian short-clawed otters, celebrated their 2nd birthdays in style, with tasty fishcakes and a fishy present for them to tear open. Many thanks to Sainsbury's in Washington for providing the responsibly-source
4 October 2011
Entries come flooding in for WWT Photography Competition 2011-12
Talented photographers from across the region have begun sending in their spectacular entries for the WWT Photography Competition 2011-2012. With an amazing grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica up for grabs, the competition is being held
16 September 2011
Skills of the past help protect the future of rare waterbird species
Traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge conservation have woven together to help boost rare waterbird populations at WWT Washington. Numbers of endangered white-headed ducks hatching at our centre have so far doubled this season, thanks to the Northum
26 July 2011