News
Update, Sunday Feb 7th
Very windy today, but not too wet so far. Birds pretty much as yesterday, with drake Greater Scaup on the Whooper Pond and 10 Pintail close in down on the Flood Ground. Folly Field is currently heaving with Curlews, Lapwings and Golden Plovers as the tid
7 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 6th February
A dull morning again today. Nice surprise to see a Tawny Owl in the owl box overlooking the Whooper Pond this morning. The drake Greater Scaup is still on the Whooper Pond, but it would appear that the drake Green-winged Teal has gone for a change of scen
6 February 2016
Latest Sightings - 5th February - Early morning Hen Harrier
A dull morning, but dry at the moment. The drake Greater Scaup is still on the Whooper Pond, the drake Green-winged Teal is on the Folly Pond as usual, and a male Hen Harrier has been hunting over the merse first thing. About 70 Whooper Swans have been fe
5 February 2016
Reserve update, Wed Feb 3rd
A dry bright day today for a change. Good goose nos. from the Farmhouse Tower, up to over 7,000 Barnacles. The otter has been disturbing the Whooper Pond again today - bit of a mixed blessing. Water Rails continue to confide under the bird feeders on the
3 February 2016
Reserve update, Monday Feb 1st
No road problems today... so far... Visitors should bring wellies as despite our best efforts the avenues are still very wet. 160 Whoopers at the early feed, with well over 200 in the lacal area. Green-winged Teal on station on Folly Pond, Greater Scaup w
1 February 2016
Reserve update, Sunday Jan 31st
Still largely dry, with no road problems, though there is a "Road Closed" sign up on the B725 just west of Ruthwell. Visitors from the direction of M6/Carlisle/Annan should ignore this. Plenty to see on the reserve, with a good broadcast of duck and eg La
31 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 30th January
A better morning, with no rain at the moment, but it's not far away as usual. Today's high tide is at 16:02 8.3m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5000 Whooper Swans: 173 Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 173 Mute Swan 61 Greater Scaup 1♂ Mallard
30 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 28th January - More flooding
The B725 from Annan is closed at Bankend due to flooding. Roads from Dumfries are currently open, but with a horrendous forecast they could become difficult this afternoon. Please take care if visiting us today. The rain is relentless at the moment and we
28 January 2016
Still wet and windy Caerlaverock, Wed Jan 27th
As yesterday, conditions are less than ideal, with floods and diversions on approach roads. Swan nos. at the early feed were at 120, with a further 100 or so at nearby Upper Locharwoods. Yesterday the otter joined the warden for the 2pm feed...! Once agai
27 January 2016
Wet 'n Windy Caerlaverock, Tuesday 26th Jan
Almost impossible conditions first thing, so no real up-to-date wildlife sightings, though the swans are managing to hold station at the Whooper Pond in anticipation of the feeds. No Ring-necked Duck again, and the adult male Greater Scaup of the last few
26 January 2016
Reserve Update Monday Jan 25th
Dry today so far but heavy rain forecast for today and especially tomorrow. Both avenues are passable but wellies are recommended. The Ring-necked Duck is still absent, along with a large proportion of the Tufteds, though a male Greater Scaup has taken up
25 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 23rd January
A bright start to the day, but the Avenues are still very wet so wellies are still recommended to access the whole site. Still no sign of the drake Ring-necked Duck today. The Flood Ground is good today, with most of the Teal and Wigeon using the pools. T
23 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd January - Warm and wet again
Unfortunately we are back to warm and wet weather so the Avenues are once again flooded. Take care on the roads as well if you're visiting us today. The sun is due to make an appearance this afternoon! No sign of the Ring-necked Duck since Tuesday, it h
22 January 2016
Update, Thurs 21st Jan
Bright and cold today to begin with, but forecast to warm and become wet again later. No sign yesterday of the Ring-necked Duck, nor today thus far. Many of the Tufted duck missing too, presumably as a result of the extensive ice cover. We're hoping they
21 January 2016
Caerlaverock wildlife update, Wed Jan 20th
A good bright day, with little wind, but cold still at just above freezing, with a lot of the water bodies still iced over. Whooper Swan nos. are still a bit higher than of late, at around the 160 mark, though the Barnacles are more sketchy. Our dog Otter
20 January 2016