Caerlaverock news
A plastic bottle for every 8m of beach
A plastic cactus and four left shoes are just some of the unexpected items that have washed up on the WWT Caerlaverock tideline. Wardens and volunteers came across the unusual items during their annual spring beach clean. Approximately 6 cubic metre
18 March 2025
Whistles, chirps and chattering: a lesson in bird song
Wandering around, it seems as though there has been a dramatic change in noise on the reserve. With the whooper swans dwindling in numbers, their honks have become more muted against the whistles, chirps and chattering of songbirds. Most passerines are
17 March 2025
Naturalised barnacle geese
Whenever we hear the yapping calls of the barnacle geese in the later days of September, we know that autumn has finally arrived. But what if these yaps were heard all year round? In some areas of the UK they can be, you just need to know where to go..The
12 March 2025
Species spotlight: brown hare
In March, winter begins to come to a close and we take our tender first steps step into spring. As we creep into the season, there is a slow encroachment of bursting life. Week by week more light casts on our lands, more species of bird join the chorus an
8 March 2025
More than just birds: The Wilder, Wetter Caerlaverock Diaries no. 10
Through the Wilder, Wetter Caerlaverock Project, we have been creating various water bodies like ponds, scrapes and channels. These water features are a variety of ages which means they have different vegetation structures. During this winter, the new wet
3 March 2025
A very good 10 minutes
I often get into work a bit early. (If my manager is reading this is so that I can plan my day for maximum efficiency and value for money.) But there is another secret reason. It means I can have a quality 10 minutes with nature. All on my own.WWT Caerlav
1 March 2025
Hey Google! How do I become a jack-of-all-trades?
A job on a nature reserve is varied work. No day looks the same. You may find yourself jumping from science to building work to counting birds to telling people about it, all in one afternoon. The career aspiration is to become a jack of all trades and a
27 February 2025
Hints of Spring
At first glance, this time of year may seem a bit dreary and quiet. Hedgehogs, frogs and toads are still deep in their hibernation burrows and the trees bare of leaves. But if you look and listen closely, nature has begun to drop hints that spring is just
26 February 2025
Otter, pochard and shelduck
Recent sightings
23 February 2025
Teamwork makes the dream work
Sometimes a job just needs 25+ reserve team members. Last week we welcomed WWT Washington staff and volunteers for two days of hard graft – and a lot of fun as well. We completed work that would have taken our 5 reserve staff and volunteer team week
20 February 2025
The crisp of February
As I step onto the reserve, a crisp chill fills the air, and the landscape is painted with the muted tones of winter. In the distance, the silhouette of Criffel stands prominently, its peak covered by a delicate mist.The ground beneath my boots is firm an
16 February 2025
Whooper swan families
The majority of the whooper swans that come to WWT Caerlaverock to spend their winters are from the Icelandic population. These whoopers nest in well vegetated low-lying marshland amongst agricultural fields, with some nests being further upland in the gl
9 February 2025
Bird Race 2025 list
The final Bird Race update for 2025.
2 February 2025
From woodland species to estuary specialists (Bird Race 2025)
Bird Race update 4
30 January 2025
Badger-proof bird feeding
The reserve team had a predicament. Next to the visitor car park, there is a bird feeding station which was in the form of a metal pole wedged into the grass. Our bird feeders hung from the metal station, and the team filled them up every morning, which a
27 January 2025