Wetland Centre spreads its wings to welcome back nature lovers
The Washington Wetland Centre has confirmed it intends to reopen to the public on Monday.
Online booking has opened and to keep within Covid guidelines, there will be daily limits on the number of visitors.
The centre, run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT),willmanagenumbers to maintain social distancing.
All visitors must book online including people who visit free of charge such as WWT members, children under four and carers.
Entry costs £11.15 or £10.13 without Gift Aid for adults, £9.50 or £8.63 for concessions (65+, disabled, full-time student and unemployed), £6.40 or £5.81 for children aged four to 16.
Children under four, carers and members can visit for free but pre-booking is still required.
Family tickets for two adults and two children aged four to 16 cost £29.80 or £27.09 without Gift Aid.
Visitors returning to the centre can expect to see birds such as the avocet and grey heron nesting on the Wader Lake, woodland birds including bullfinch and longtailed tit displaying and mating in Hawthorn Wood and flowers, and insects and amphibians emerging each day.
Bird hides will be open too, allowing visitors to get even closer to nature.
Centre manager at WWT
Washington, Gill Pipes said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our wonderful
wetlands.
“They’re bursting with spring life and we’re looking forward to visitors seeing the stunning colours and diverse wildlife, and for them to get immersed once more in the great outdoors. And we think our animals may well be looking forward to seeing some different faces!
“As a conservation charity, we are incredibly grateful for our members and the public support through these challenging times, it has meant the world to us.
“Thanks to local peoples’ and supporters’ generosity we have been able to carry on caring for our wildlife and our wetlands even when we’ve been closed.
“Reopening Washington on 12 April feels like a significant milestone towards a more secure future; and a brilliant way to thank everyone for sticking by us.”
Bookings can be made through the trust’s website at wwt.org.uk