The Calm After the Storm

For those who have ever wondered whether the tide reaches the Saltcot Merse Observatory at any time then the photo above shows conditions yesterday afternoon to the east of the Observatory looking towards the patch of Gorse. This is what a 10.2m high tide and exceedingly strong winds look like! Not only did the tide cover of all our merse compartments but it also surged up through a lot of the fields as well (some of which are still holding water today). At one stage yesterday we had 7 Brown Hares in Corner Field racing up to the dry section, 6 Roe Deer tucked away in Saltcot field and 3 more Roe Deer making a swim for it onto the sea wall. Wader sightings were also good with Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Knot all in Lochar field, the first four still being present in small numbers today. In amongst all this a Pale-bellied Brent Goose turned up in the Barnacle Goose flock in Newfield. It has been seen again in the flock towards Saltcot today.

Due to the tidal surge there is now standing salt water present in the lower half of the Saltcot loaning. Wellington boots are required to gain access to the Saltcot Merse Observatory.

Here is the current update on named Whooper Swan sightings:

High Tide: 14:53, 9.9m

Photo Credit: Rhiannon Hatfield

Opening times:
10am - 5pm every day except Christmas Day

Around the reserve:

Whooper Swans: 40+

Barnacle Geese: 4000+

Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Mallard
Wigeon
Tufted Duck
Teal
Oystercatcher
Moorhen

Folly Pond
Teal
Wigeon
Shoveler
Mallard
Shelduck
Pintail
Canada Goose
Black-tailed Godwit
Redshank
Snipe
Moorhen

Teal Pond
Mallard
Wigeon
Teal
Gadwall
Moorhen
Mute Swan

Avenue Tower
Peregrine Falcon
Mallard
Wigeon
Gadwall
Grey Heron
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Shoveler
Mute Swan
Golden Plover
Moorhen
Brown Hares
Roe Deer
Longhorn Cattle 2

Saltcot Merse Observatory
Mute Swan
Barnacle Geese
Pink-footed Geese
Shelduck
Pintail
Dunlin
Lapwing
Oystercatcher
Curlew
Little Egret
Linnet
Skylark
Brown Hares
Roe Deer
Hebridean Sheep 12

Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)

Water Rail
Blackcap
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer
Sparrowhawk
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Robin
Blackbird
Chaffinch
Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Song Thrush
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Goldcrest
Bullfinch
Siskin

Webcam

Unfortunately Storm Ciara knocked out our network so we are unable to show the webcams on the website until it is restored.

Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Follow us on Twitter @WWTCaerlaverock for instant WWT Caerlaverock bird news, wildlife news and upcoming events to your mobile phone or computer. This is a great way to get instant news as we update from our mobile phones as we are finding the birds.

You can ‘Like’ us on Facebook https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaveroc...

You can also follow us on Instagram wwtcaerlaverock where pictures of the reserve's daily happenings can be found.

rhiannon.hatfield@wwt.org.uk

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