News
House Martin Extension
Well it has been a strange year for our hirundines (swallows and martins), the cold weather in May on the continent and in the UK held up a lot of birds from arriving at their breeding grounds. In 2019 we had over 30 nests on our Farmhouse Tower whereas t
5 July 2021
The Summer Meadow is Blooming
The summer meadow is really starting to show itself well now summer has arrived. The twayblade orchid can be seen alongside the northern marsh and the spotted orchid. We have also spotted yellow rattle, tufted vetch, red campion, silver weed, bird's-foot
28 June 2021
Bug Hunting
This week has all been about the emergence of insects so bug hunters big and small please come and see what you can discover there is no upper age limit to bug hunting or pond dipping! To add to our butterfly list of last week we have had red admirals and
8 June 2021
Damselflies a Plenty
The sun has definitely come out now and brought the insects out with it. The damselflies are now out in force with blue-tailed, azure and large red being seen in large numbers and four-spotted chasers are also on the wing. From a butterfly point of view w
31 May 2021
Spoonbill Visit
Our highlight of the week has been a visit from a spoonbill on to the floodground. It is amazing watching them use their 'spoon' to feed. We have also had a pochard appear briefly and we currently have some redpolls on our feeders. Signs of breeding is we
23 May 2021
Can You Spot the Spotted Flycatcher
We have had a spotted flycatcher being spotted along the Peter Scott Trail for the last few days and whitethroats have been seen down at Saltcot to add to our increasing tally of summer migrants. The grasshopper warbler is still singing well although the
9 May 2021
The Sounds of Birdsong to Lift Your Mood
The sounds of the warblers singing is very impressive following an influx over the last couple of weeks. On the reserve we now have chiff chaff, willow warbler, sedge warbler, blackcap, whitethroat and grasshopper warbler. Grasshopper warbler aren't commo
2 May 2021
A Few More Signs of Spring
Willow catkins are providing food for the emergent bees and bumble bees. Evidence of spring (despite the relatively low temperatures) has been further evidenced by singing blackcaps, a common sandpiper at the Whooper Pond and at least four white wagtails,
18 April 2021
Spring is on its way despite the snow
This week has seen the arrival of a couple of willow warblers on the reserve and our chiffchaff count is now up to at least 4 birds singing. We have seen the start of the hirundine arrivals with sightings of swallows, house martins, and sand martins with
6 April 2021
First Water Rail of the Winter
Please be aware that we will be closed to all visitors 21st - 25th December inclusive. We will reopen again on Boxing Day!The first Water Rail for this Winter season has been heard at Caerlaverock (no sighting of it yet), making a racket in the Paddock.
18 December 2020
Christmas closure and a Slav Grebe
Please be aware that we will be closed to all visitors 21st - 25th December inclusive. We will reopen again on Boxing Day!A Slavonian Grebe was on the Flood Ground on Sunday afternoon but hasn't been seen since. A classic example that you never know what
15 December 2020
Swans and a Scaup
Whooper Swan numbers are holding up well now, as the colder weather has brought them in from the surrounding fields. 75 on the Pond this morning.A male Greater Scaup is amongst the 30 Tuften Ducks on the Whooper Pond this morning, along with 48 Mute Swans
8 December 2020
Waders, Hen Harrier and Reed Bunting
The past week has seen a good number of Waders in attendance. Black-tailed Godwit continue to be found taking a snooze on the small island on Folly Pond during the day, flights of Lapwing and Curlew have been very much evident overhead, with the Curlew t
4 December 2020
Black Swan on Whooper Pond
Unusual sighting for this morning with a Black Swan joining the Whoopers and Mutes on Whooper Pond. It was not entirely sure of the early breakfast feed carried out by the Wardens, flying off to Folly Pond, but it has returned once again to the Whooper P
3 December 2020
Yellowhammer in Hedgerows
Good views of Yellowhammer this morning in the Hedgerow outside the Peter Scott Observatory. They are not the only small birds making their presence felt with Bullfinches and Goldcrests still being seen regularly down the Avenue and up to six Tree Sparro
27 November 2020