Reserve wardens at WWT Washington in Tyne and Wear recorded 52 grey herons on 26 February 2026, as the local colony begins its yearly nesting season. This count shows a sharp rise in bird numbers at the site, which is currently recognised as one of the top 20 most important places for the species in the United Kingdom.
The population grew significantly during the final week of February, increasing from 33 birds on 23 February to 52 by the end of the month. Most of the activity is focused on an area known as the Heron Hedge, where the birds are currently performing courtship displays, repairing their nests, and starting to lay eggs.
According to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the location offers a unique opportunity for visitors to see the birds at close range. While herons usually nest high up in trees, the layout of the Washington site allows people to watch the noisy nesting rituals from the reserve’s hides.
The data collected by the wardens helps monitor the local environment and the impact of recent work to improve the habitat around Wader Lake. This monitoring is part of ongoing efforts to support the colony, which has been a fixture of the local community since the first chicks hatched at the site in 1989, fourteen years after the centre first opened in 1975.
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