News
Skylarks Serenading
During our recent Breeding Bird Surveys out on the merse we have been greeted by a wonderful chorus of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. For a fully immersive experience the best place to listen and appreciate is within the Saltcot Merse Observatory. While do
18 May 2019
Otters on the Lochar
If visiting the reserve be sure to take a wander along our summer walk and out to the river. Visitors have been reporting sightings of the otter out there. The Garganey is back again on the Folly Pond this morning. Swallows are nesting well in the Picn
17 May 2019
Garganey Back Around
The drake Garganey has made a re-appearance on the Folly Pond, showing nicely from the Folly Pond hide itself. It has been joined there by a lone Greenshank, this best seen from Sharp's Lookout. Elsewhere the Mute Swan cygnets have appeared on the Flood
16 May 2019
Spring is back, and so are the Giant Lego Brick Animals
Spring is back, with the sun shining and the temperatures much warmer.The birds are singing in the Avenues, Sedge Warblers everywhere along with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and now Garden Warbler.Today is the start of our Giant Lego Brick Animal
11 May 2019
What time of year is it?
You might be forgiven for wondering what season it currently is at Caerlaverock right now. What with brisk easterly winds adding a chill and a motley collection of wildfowl down at Avenue Tower. We have one Barnie, one pink-foot, one grelag and two cana
9 May 2019
Shelducks on the Folly
There are good numbers of Shelduck still present on the site, busily feeding up on the Folly Pond. They have been joined by the usual suspects of Black-tailed Godwit, Mallard, Moorhen and a couple of Teal. The Long-eared Owl that was observed in the Loa
8 May 2019
Chicks and ducklings
Spring is definitely underway with our first Moorhen chicks and Mallard ducklings being seen around the reserve. Keep an eye out for the youngsters on the Teal Pond and Back Pond.Shelduck are congregating on the Folly Pond at the moment, and their fluting
4 May 2019
Oystercatchers on Eggs
Our Oystercatcher pair on the Teal Pond raft are now down on eggs. At least one egg has been seen so far but if you happen to catch sight of any more while visiting then please do let us know. Small bird activity around the site is really picking up. I
2 May 2019
Summer Walk Open!
While it might not feel exactly the right weather, we have opened our Summer walk for the season today. Come and explore the Cuckoo Flower out in the meadows or see if you can catch sight of an otter on the River. This walk will be open from 10am in the
1 May 2019
Butterflies, Barnacles & Pink-feet
The sun is shining and it is very warm on the reserve. It certainly feels like summer, with lots of butterflies now flying. Our first Orange-tip Butterflies were seen yesterday.Despite the summer-like weather there are still geese around. 1500 Barnacle Ge
20 April 2019
House Martins Nesting
Some of our returned House Martins have begun renovations of their nesting sites on the Farmhouse Tower. There is plenty of mud for them to utilise as the water levels have now dropped on Folly Pond, great for waders such as Black-tailed Godwit and Redsh
17 April 2019
Golden Plover & Warblers
The Corner Field is full of Golden Plover this morning. Many of them with their breeding plumage black bellies.The Avenues are full of bird song with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap the new arrivals.Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit on the Folly Po
13 April 2019
First Willow Warbler
The first Willow Warbler of the year has been heard singing today on the reserve and joins our growing list of returned Spring migrants. The water levels are being dropped on the Folly Pond now that the Whooper Swans have left to create muddy edges that
10 April 2019
Sand Martins, Swallows & House Martins
The Sand Martins are over the Whooper Pond this morning, Swallows and House Martins around the Visitor Centre. No sign of the drake Garganey from Sunday yet but it could still be skulking around the Folly Pond or the borrowpits.High Tide: 15:37, 9.0mOpeni
9 April 2019
Swans depart, Ospreys return
Numbers of birds are now lessening on the Whooper Pond but we still do have a small number of Whoopers there, mostly juveniles. It does look a bit like a creche! These birds will be moving off over the next week or so. On the returns front, we have an
6 April 2019