News

Reed Buntings in the Hedgerows

Reed Buntings in the Hedgerows

It has been a good morning for Reed Bunting spotting, with activity in the Hedgerows down to the Saltcot Merse Observatory. They also favour the Willow tree in the sheep paddock next to the Observatory with a mix of males, females and juvenile birds obse

10 September 2020

Stewartry Camera Club

Stewartry Camera Club

We are pleased to announce the re-opening of our gallery space at WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre!

9 September 2020

Eel in a Puddle

Eel in a Puddle

Rather strange start to the morning with Reserve Manager Joe Bilous discovering an eel in one of the puddles down the Avenue. This was safely caught and placed in the Teal Pond, a location in which we have recorded them in the past. Another unusual sigh

5 September 2020

Autumn fruits

Autumn fruits

From August onwards, berries abound around the reserve!

4 September 2020

Conservation Grazing at Caerlaverock

Conservation Grazing at Caerlaverock

Our Hebridean sheep and Longhorn cows are working hard to help us with our habitat management

3 September 2020

Autumn Berries

Autumn Berries

The season is really progressing and the hedgerows are filling with berries. Some of the Hawthorn shrubs down the Saltcot Loaning are heavy with haws that will be beneficial to the migrant Thrushes who will shortly start returning to our shores. The hed

3 September 2020

Phalarope on Folly

Phalarope on Folly

Not to sound like a broken record about the Folly Pond but once again it has delivered. A Red necked phalarope has dropped in and is busy feeding in the deeper water. Wader numbers in general are building with over 20 Curlew, still good numbers of Lapwi

2 September 2020

Lapwing on the Folly Pond

Lapwing on the Folly Pond

Good numbers of Lapwing on the Folly Pond this morning. The Shoveler numbers are also on the increase and a solitary Black-tailed Godwit is present feeding in the water. The Marsh Harrier that has been observed around the Reserve last week is originally

1 September 2020

Wild Goose Weekend

Wild Goose Weekend

See the spectacle of thousands of barnacle geese and pink footed geese on our wetland reserve, and learn more about these wonderful birds.

29 August 2020

Marsh Harrier over Folly Pond

Marsh Harrier over Folly Pond

Having mentioned yesterday about the Teal numbers starting to creep up on Folly Pond, well the Marsh Harrier discovered the same thing this morning. Cracking views of the juvenile bird flying over and flushing all the birds as observed from Sharp's Looko

29 August 2020

Natterjacks Emerging

Natterjacks Emerging

After the tidal surges and flooding of the Merses last week, it is very heartening to see that some of our Natterjack tadpoles have made it to the emergence stage. This week has seen little toadlets appearing on the path to the Saltcot Merse Observatory

28 August 2020

Wet, wet, wet

Wet, wet, wet

Well recent weather has been decidedly on the wet side. It has meant that the Pasture Pathway has become flooded and as such has been closed. It is however, good for the waders and ducks. Teal numbers are increasing around the reserve with over 400 bir

27 August 2020

Info for Wednesday 26th August

Info for Wednesday 26th August

If you are visiting on Wednesday 26th August, please be aware that the Visitor Centre will be closed between 1pm - 2pm. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.The reserve will be open as normal, you will still be able to enter and exit the

25 August 2020

Tidal flooding

Tidal flooding

Yesterday brought big tides coupled with unseasonally strong winds which meant the afternoon tide flooded the majority of the saltmarsh. This is becoming more regular in winter but for late summer it is quite unusual.Sadly this may have been a disaster fo

22 August 2020

Snipe, snipe, snipe

Snipe, snipe, snipe

Snipe numbers are really building on the Folly Pond at the moment, with over 20 of them this morning. Lapwing, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit are also regularly feeding on the muddy fringes.Teal numbers continue to grow, and we have seen Marsh Harrier, Gr

19 August 2020