Families across the North East can put their outdoor sleuthing skills to the test this Easter, with the ALL NEW Duck Detectives trail at WWT Washington Wetland Centre.
Get close to nature and have fun exploring together, as you follow the clues around our site to quack the case of the missing bird.
From feathers to food to footprints – log the evidence in your Duck Detectives Case File to eliminate suspects as you go, while learning all about the wonderful bird species that call wetlands home.
Once you’ve completed the trail and become fully fledged Duck Detectives, use your new-found investigative skills to discover more about wetland wildlife during pond dipping and mini-beast hunt sessions, led by our learning team (details below).
Plus, don’t miss the chance to meet our resident Asian short-clawed otters and Chilean flamingos at twice-daily keeper talks.
Centre manager Gill Pipes said: “Easter is the perfect time to get outdoors with friends and family and explore wetland nature on a day out together.
“Visitors can spot all the new life emerging – from budding trees and flora to young amphibians and fluffy ducklings – as well as take part in the Duck Detectives trail; designed to excite, inspire and engage everyone with the wonders of our wetlands.
“We look forward to seeing lots of super nature sleuths in action!”
Duck Detectives
Dates: Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April
Time: Daily from 10am
Location: Trail around site
Cost: Free with admission, pick up a Duck Detectives Case File leaflet on entry
Pond dipping
Dates: Sunday 2, Tuesday 4, Thursday 6 and Friday 7 April
Time: 1-2.30pm (drop-in sessions, no need to book)
Location: Pondzone
Cost: Included as part of normal admission (free for members)
Details: Grab a net and explore the world underwater with our education team during family-friendly pond dipping sessions! Visit the interactive Pondzone, where you’ll search for pond wildlife such as water snails, water boatman and caddis fly larvae. Learn how to safely catch and ID your finds before carefully releasing them back into the water.
Mini-beast hunting
Dates: Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 April
Time: 1-2.30pm (drop-in sessions, no need to book)
Location: Hollowood
Cost: Included as part of normal admission (free for members)
Details: Explore the world of soil, leaves and dry wood as you hunt for mini-beasts in Hollowood with our education team. Use a dusting brush, magnifying glass and observation trays to get a closer look of woodlice, millipedes, stinkbugs and more!
Daily otter talks
Meet our cheeky otter family Musa, Mimi and Buster during commentated feeds at 11.30am and 2:30pm every day. Enjoy watching them forage and swim as they tuck into tasty treats and explore their enclosure.
Daily flamingo talks
See our flock of pink Chilean flamingos up close and learn interesting facts about these flamboyant birds. Daily at 11.45am and 2.45pm.
Ready to visit?
If you’ve been inspired to explore Washington Wetland Centre and turn Duck Detective this Easter, find out more and plan your visit online…