News
Update, Tuesday Jan 19th
Snow still lying but patchier now as the slow thaw continues. Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck still present though general duck nos. down a bit due to ice on outlying water bodies. 7 Bramblings yesterday around the farmhouse garden and 3 Water Rail
19 January 2016
Reserve latest, Monday Jan 18th
Still quite cold, albeit just above freezing. Snow still lying but no underfoot or road problems today. Wellies still recommended though. Lots of Whoopers at the feeds in the snowy conditions - up to 208 this morning; an increase of 80 on the recent avera
18 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 16th January - Ice here, snow forecast!
Very cold and frosty this morning. Take care if visiting as the roads and paths are icy and we have snow forecast for this afternoon. Extra care is needed to get down the Avenues today as the flooded areas have now frozen and although the ice is broken i
16 January 2016
Around the reserve, Thurs 14th Jan
Cold and sunny today, for a very welcome change. All road access is fully open though the avenues here are still quite waterlogged, so bring your wellies. Lots of Roe Deer evident lately, with 15 to 20 individuals at least. Little Egrets prominent too, wi
14 January 2016
Caerlaverock wild highs, Wed 13th Jan
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield. However the road is quite passable, the floods having fully receded. There are no access problems for vehicles at all. Access in turn to the hides in the wider area here requires wellington
13 January 2016
Caerlaverock reserve, Tues Jan 12th
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield due to flooding at Bankend (3 miles away) affecting visitors from an easterly direction, ie from Carlisle/Annan/M6. However the road is passable in practice... Otherwise, head to Dumfries and
12 January 2016
Reserve update, Monday Jan 11th
Access blocked due to flooding at Bankend (3 miles away) affecting visitors from an easterly direction, ie from Carlisle/Annan/M6. Head instead to Dumfries and back out to here via the Bankend Road, past the hospital. Access in turn to the hides in the wi
11 January 2016
Caerlaverock reserve, Sunday 10th Jan
Back to wet today after 31mm of rain in last 24hrs. Wellies are a must for full reserve access, also keep an eye on local traffic reports, as earlier the water was just coming over the road at Bankend, 3 miles away, and tide rising, possibly affecting vis
10 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 9th January - Otter still around
Dry and cold this morning, with plenty of waders in the fields. A lucky visitor was able to see the Otter in the Whooper Pond at 4pm yesterday. Today's high tide is at 11:42 9.0m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5000 Whooper Swans: 120 Whoop
9 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 8th January - Colder, but still wet
Apologies for the late update. Out network and internet has been down this morning, but is back up and running now. An Otter has been seen on the Folly Pond fairly regularly over the past week. All sightings have either been in the early morning, just as
8 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 7th January - Otter!
An Otter has been seen on the Folly Pond fairly regularly over the past week. All sightings have either been in the early morning, just as it gets light or in the afternoon around 4pm just before dark. We know there is a healthy population of Otter on th
7 January 2016
Around Caerlaverock, Wed Jan 6th
No problems with access today, though boots/wellies are still recommended for the avenues. Up to 12 Little Egrets can be found dotted around, especially on the merses from Saltcot Merse Observatory. 7000 Barnacle Geese are similarly quite widely distrib
6 January 2016
Soggy Caerlaverock, Tuesday 5th Jan
Currently raining, forecast to dry up a bit... All usual roads to here passable with no problems. Avenues remain quite wet but are easily walked in decent waterproof footwear, wellingtons ideally. Lots of water lying in the fields, so a good broadcast of
5 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 3rd January - Jumpy Tufties
A dry and bright morning again, but rain is forecast again for this afternoon. The Tufted Ducks are very jumpy on the Whooper Pond which can be a sign that there is something in the water, such as an Otter. Keep your eyes peeled if visiting today as our
3 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 2nd January
A dry and bright morning again, but rain is forecast for this afternoon. Tufted Duck and Wigeon numbers seem higher today, possibly the slightly colder weather has brought some in from the surrounding area. The Whoopers were out feeding in the fields ea
2 January 2016