Strands Puzzle Unveils ‘Wetland Patrol’ Theme for March 20

NEW YORK, March 20, 2025 — The New York Times has released its latest Strands puzzle themed “Wetland Patrol” today, offering players a challenging word search experience. This twist on classic word search games requires participants to locate specific words related to the theme while connecting letters in various directions on a grid.

Strands features a daily theme with an associated spangram— a special word that spans the grid horizontally or vertically, encapsulating that day’s theme. Today’s spangram is “WADINGBIRD,” which starts at the bottom of the grid and ascends vertically. Words often linked to wetland avian life proved challenging in this edition, as players navigated terms like BITTERN, EGRET, and SPOONBILL.

Game enthusiasts are encouraged to think creatively as they unravel today’s clues. As the game progresses, players can aim for more effective word-finding strategies by focusing on the guiding hints provided. For example, hints today included the indication that the spangram starts with a ‘W’ and ends with a ‘D,’ narrowing down the vocabulary involved.

“Strands continues to gain popularity among puzzle lovers, challenging even seasoned players with its obscure terms and gameplay mechanics,” said a representative from The New York Times. “This puzzle encourages strategic thinking about the connections between different terms tied to the central theme.”

In the game, every letter on the grid is vital, contributing to the answers within a thematic structure. The design invites players to link letters in unique patterns while keeping the spangram goal in sight. For this puzzle, the nature theme reflects the importance of wetlands and their diverse bird populations.

For those who have found themselves struggling with the day’s game, the day’s hints and solutions are readily available through various online platforms dedicated to assisting players in their Strands journey. Similar puzzles released by The New York Times, including Wordle and Connections, also offer daily fun and challenges for enthusiasts seeking diverse gameplay experiences.

The Strands game is an innovative addition to the Times’ portfolio, inviting players of all skill levels to engage and enjoy the intricacies of wordplay at any time of the day. Providing an engaging challenge for those who love language and puzzles alike, today’s Strands is set to pique interests with its wetland theme.