A Year at WWT Washington // Autumn Part 2

[This post is far more than late, but better late than never I guess! I posted part 1 back in December and you can check it out and the rest of the series linked below.]

In February 2023, Mr H & I joined WWT - The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - as members and began an ongoing obsession with our local centre in Washington. There are 10 reserves around the UK, though our next nearest is about 3 hours away and we're yet to visit any other than Washington.
I'm not complaining though, we adore Washington! Only a 15-minute drive from our house and 5 minutes around the corner from where Mr H works, it's actually unbelievable that such a paradise exists in our area.

For those who don't know, Washington Wetlands is a nature reserve and wildlife haven established in 1975! Comprising of walk-through collection exhibits, a wild reserve, woodland areas and more, it's set over 103 acres and being members has given us plenty of opportunity to explore pretty much all that is accessible by now.
At this point, we have now been members for 17 months and have been lucky to see the site during every month except August (we do not visit during school holidays). We've witnessed the shifting seasons, the change in the landscape and the variety of visiting species of not only birds but insects too. I am still yet to see any amphibians, which I am sad about!

Something extra special we were lucky to experience was a Bat Evening event where we saw many Common Pipistrelle feeding among the trees and witnessed Daubenton's Bats whooshing over the water's surface in pursuit of their food. It was truly incredible and photos from that night can be found in my previous post. >(A Year at WWT Washington // Summer)

Obviously, wherever I go my camera goes and it's common for me to take far too many photos. I have previously shared three posts with photos detailing our visits throughout Spring, which I have linked below, one full of Summer photos and this is part one of two Autumn posts! I know I'm late in sharing this season as Winter is fast approaching but better late than never!

A Year at WWT Washington
Spring 2023 - Part 1
Spring 2023 - Part 2
Spring 2023 - Part 3
Summer 2023
Autumn 2023 - Part 1

 November 15th 2023

6th December 2023

I know you'll be looking at those dates and be saying, 'Autumn?! Don't you mean Winter?' but yes, these were our last visits to the wetlands during late Autumn before the turn of the season on December 21st 2023. Look at that weather too! It's funny because people love to tar November-December with the doom and gloom atmosphere but I remember many, many beautifully sunny days too!

Of course, these photos are from over a year ago and I always love putting together posts after the fact so I can relive all the memories the photos bring back. There is still one...perhaps two posts to come, rounding out this series and hopefully I won't wait as long to post those! 

Go support your local Wetlands!