News

Male ducks coming out of eclipse

Male ducks coming out of eclipse

Our male ducks are starting to regain their colour. A good few of the Mallard are already sporting their post-eclipse finery and in the last couple of days we have noticed the Teal, Shoveler and Pintail are all following suit. Head to the Folly Pond and t

27 September 2019

Wigeon on the Increase

Wigeon on the Increase

Wigeon numbers are on the increase with 137 counted on the Folly Pond this morning and more down at the Flood Ground. Teal numbers are also creeping up with over 400 on the Folly Pond, another 400 in the Corner Field and yet more down at Flood Ground. A

26 September 2019

Barnies are Back!

Barnies are Back!

The Barnacle Geese are now starting to make an appearance on the Reserve, with over 1,000 birds counted from the Tower this morning. They are predominantly utilising the mudflats and pioneer merse so are best seen from the Saltcot Merse Observatory. Mix

25 September 2019

Sunshine on Geese

Sunshine on Geese

Huge numbers of geese in the sunshine around the local area today. Canada, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese can be seen feeding in the fields and flying around the reserve.6 Barnacle Geese were in front of the Saltcot Merse Observatory yesterday, no sign of

21 September 2019

Whoopers, Barnacles and Pink-feet

Whoopers, Barnacles and Pink-feet

It's starting to feel a lot like winter, despite the bright sunshine and 20 degree heat!12 Whooper Swans arrived yesterday, but only one is still here on the Whooper Pond. The first small flock of Barnacle Geese have arrived with 6 in front of the Saltcot

20 September 2019

Goldfinches and Pintail

Goldfinches and Pintail

The Goldfinches and Chaffinches are absolutely loving the Meadowsweet seeds around the Reserve, particularly in the Wildlife Garden. We have seven Pintail that have turned up on our Folly Pond and are currently taking a nap mixed in with the large number

13 September 2019

Autumn Berries and Raptors

Autumn Berries and Raptors

The hedgerow down to the Peter Scott Observatory is looking great with the Guelder Rose, Dog Rose and Hawthorn all now with berries. Down to the Avenue there are still Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing with Goldcrests starting to make an appearance a

12 September 2019

Folly Pond Filling Up

Folly Pond Filling Up

This does not just refer to the recent weather and all the rain that has fallen but also the number of birds starting to congregate here. Teal numbers have jumped up to over the five hundred mark. The Shoveler are starting to return while there are stil

4 September 2019

Windy weather and big tides

Windy weather and big tides

The wind has now dropped so the Avenue and Summer Walk have reopened and the sun is shining!The high tide is at 13:47 and is a big one, with this wind behind it could be quite a spectacle. 500 Pintail, Shelduck and Dunlin were seen over the high tide yest

31 August 2019

Anniversary of the Paddock

Anniversary of the Paddock

It is two years since the Paddock project began - find out how it has has changed

23 August 2019

Teal are here

Teal are here

The ponds are filling with ducks, with both the Folly Pond and Flood Ground particularly good for Teal, Mallard and Shoveler.Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Snipe are feeding around the edges, with House Martins and Swallows over the surface of the wate

22 August 2019

Autumn days

Autumn days

A windy start to the day, with rain expected later.Duck and wader numbers are increasing slowly with more Teal and Shoveler around. Pintail are expected any day now.Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe can be seen around the Folly Pond and Flood Ground.

21 August 2019

Summer in the Garden

Summer in the Garden

An update by Caerlaverock Reserve Warden Rhiannon Hatfield, on the highlights of the wildlife garden this summer

19 August 2019

Good Weather for Ducks!

Good Weather for Ducks!

Well the weather really has thrown everything at us this week, though it is good that the forecast hail did not materialise in the end! We have closed the River Walk section of our Summer walk due to flooding and high tides. Please also bear in mind that

17 August 2019

It's a Wader Day

It's a Wader Day

There are two Green Sandpipers and a Ruff on Folly Pond this morning. They are joined on the pool by Snipe, Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit and a juvenile Shelduck. If you look closely in the photo of the Folly Pond taken this morning from the Scottish W

8 August 2019