Wild Goose Festival 2020

A new festival in Dumfries to celebrate the return of the wild geese to Dumfries and Galloway!

WWT Caerlaverock are proud to take part in the first Wild Goose Festival to be held in Dumfries.

Our Wild Goose Weekend has taken place for the last two years at WWT Caerlaverock and this year our weekend is part of the Wild Goose Festival. The festival uses the migratory route of the Barnacle Geese between Svalbard and the Solway Estuary to join people, nature and ideas.

It is supported by a number of local organisations, including NatureScot (SNH), Moat Brae Centre for Children's Literature and Storytelling, University of Glasgow, Creative Futures and PAMIS (Promoting a More Inclusive Society). For more information about events taking place during the Wild Goose Festival, please see the website.

For spectacular sights of barnacle geese and pink footed geese, visit WWT Caerlaverock for our Wild Goose Weekend, 10-11 October, 10am-4pm.


Wild Goose Weekend Programme

Saturday 10th October

Wild Swan Feeds
Experience the sights and sounds of hundreds of swans, ducks and geese at the daily swan feeds! Watch the antics of our wonderful whooper swans at the Sir Peter Scott Observatory. Arriving from Iceland, up to 200 whooper swans are joined by mute swans, wigeon, tufted ducks, shovelers and more! Places are limited. Feeds take place throughout the day. Normal admission charges apply, WWT members free. Book your visit to the centre online in advance.

Online swan feed, 4pm
Can't make it to the reserve this weekend? Watch the 4pm swan feed online as we feed grain to the mute swans, whooper swans, geese and ducks!

Wooden barnacle goose hunt
There are 10 wooden, painted barnacle geese hidden around the reserve. Can you find them all? Which is the trickiest to spot?

Goose Challenge
See how many goose-themed challenges you can complete around the reserve in the day and learn more about the thousands of special geese that spend the winter at Caerlaverock.


Sunday 11th October

Dawn Flight, 6.45am
Watch thousands of wild geese flighting in against the dawn sky. Bring warm, waterproof clothing, binoculars and a torch. Booking in advance is essential as we have limited places. Normal admission charges apply, WWT members free. Ring the centre on 01387 770200 to book your place on this event and book your centre visit online in advance.

Wild Swan Feeds
Experience the sights and sounds of hundreds of swans, ducks and geese at the daily swan feeds! Watch the antics of our wonderful whooper swans at the Sir Peter Scott Observatory. Arriving from Iceland, up to 200 whooper swans are joined by mute swans, wigeon, tufted ducks, shovelers and more! Places are limited. Feeds take place throughout the day. Normal admission charges apply, WWT members free. Book your visit to the centre online in advance.

Wooden barnacle goose hunt
There are 10 wooden, painted barnacle geese hidden around the reserve. Can you find them all? Which is the trickiest to spot?

Goose Challenge
See how many goose-themed challenges you can complete around the reserve in the day and learn more about the thousands of special geese that spend the winter at Caerlaverock.



Please book your visit to the centre online, in advance.

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