Wild Goose Weekend
See the spectacle of thousands of barnacle geese and pink footed geese on our wetland reserve, and learn more about these wonderful birds.
Saturday 10th October - Sunday 11th October 2020
10am - 4pm
The wetland reserve at WWT Caerlaverock is located on the Solway Firth. The remote mudflats and saltmarsh habitats attract thousands of wintering geese, ducks and wading birds. In the autumn, over 40,000 barnacle geese arrive from Svalbard, to spend the winter on the Solway Firth. At WWT Caerlaverock we have 8-10,000 barnacle geese on the reserve during the winter, but when they first arrive in October the numbers are at their highest with up to 20,000 birds present on the reserve. The pink footed geese arrive from Iceland at this time too, and are seen grazing in the fields.
To celebrate the arrival of the geese, we run an annual Wild Goose Weekend. This year we are proud to be part of the first Wild Goose Festival to be held in Dumfries and Galloway. This is a partnership event involving a variety of different charities and organisations local to Dumfries.
The Wild Goose Weekend at WWT Caerlaverock provides the opportunity for visitors to see the spectacle of thousands of geese as well as ducks, waders and birds of prey such as peregrine falcons and hen harriers. Whooper swans also spend the winter on the reserve and we feed them daily at our commentated wild swan feeds.
Visitors to the centre have access to wide open spaces, stunning views, fantastic wildlife sightings and the opportunity to find secluded spots around the reserve. Guided walks and wild swan feeds have limited places so as to ensure the safety of all our visiting public.
Photo credit: Alex Hillier
Wild Goose Weekend Programme
Friday 9th October
Wild Geese from Wardlaw, 4.45 - 7.30pm
WWT staff are joining staff from NatureScot to lead a walk up Wardlaw Hill to see the evening flight of the pink footed geese and barnacle geese. NatureScot are taking the bookings for this event. Please ring 01738 458678 to book your place. Free event.
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! Follow our facebook page as we do a facebook live event. This swan feed will not be commentated, but you will hear the sounds of swans whooping, ducks quacking and other natural sounds during this unique event.
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.
