Caerlaverock news
Hen Harrier
The male Hen Harrier was observed flying past the Saltcot Merse Observatory today, visible even in the mist! Small bird activity remains good along the hedgerows with Yellowhammer and Bullfinch around the Paddock area. We are starting to record new swan
30 January 2020
Richardson's Canada Goose
This Richardson's Canada Goose was in our fields yesterday afternoon, and as of 09:30 this morning it is with Barnacle Geese opposite Newmains Farm along our entrance road. This is a rare goose, we have only seen a handful of them over the years.It is one
28 January 2020
Winter Passerines and Water Rail
We have just completed our latest round of Winter Passerine surveys with the star attraction being the presence of a pair of Bullfinches. The male has actually been spending quite a bit of time in the hedgerows outside the Peter Scott Observatory so do k
23 January 2020
Hazel Catkins and Hen Harrier
Another sign of spring around the reserve in the form of the hazel catkins! In the past week both the male and ringtail Hen harriers have been observed with good views of the male from the Avenue Tower yesterday. There are good numbers of Curlew around
22 January 2020
Otter still enjoying the Whooper Pond!
Otter sightings are still frequent on the reserve! This morning one of the juveniles was seen feeding on the edge of the water immediately in front of the Peter Scott Observatory windows. Sightings have occurred during our daily swan feeds so it's worth h
20 January 2020
Reed Bunting and Goldcrest
Small bird activity has again been good down the Avenue and Loaning with close up views of Male Reed Bunting and also two Goldcrests. The flocks of Golden Plover are building up and can often be seen flying overhead, along with the Lapwing. Their moveme
16 January 2020
Wader Weather
It has been good weather for the waders recently with all the heavy rains. Small flocks of Golden Plover were bombing around the Merse, as seen from Saltcot Merse Observatory, this morning. Looking lovely when the sun broke through the clouds to shine o
15 January 2020
Otterly cute!
We are delighted that a family of wild otters have been visiting the reserve regularly in the last couple of weeks
10 January 2020
Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Otters
Well the otters are still popping into and out of the Whooper pond on a regular basis so please keep your eyes peeled for them. The small bird activity down the Saltcot Loaning and Avenue has been really good recently with lovely views of Goldcrest, Bulf
9 January 2020
Otters, Harriers and Yellowhammers
Visitors yesterday were treated to fantastic views of a young Otter on the Whooper Pond at the 2pm Swan Feed and a male Hen Harrier at the Saltcot Merse Observatory. Yellowhammers were feeding in the Avenue outside the Peter Scott Observatory before dashi
4 January 2020
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to everyone out there.Our New Year's Day Bird Race is well underway with over 50 different species seen by staff and visitors in the first 2 hours, can you help us reach 70 by 4pm?Here is the current update on named Whooper Swan sightings:N
1 January 2020
Otters in the Frost
The family of Otters is still around. Not just in the morning, they are being seen at all times of day in different parts of the reserve.Plenty of Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans to see, along with the fantastic variety of ducks and waders.A male Hen Har
31 December 2019
Pintail Popping in
The Pintail have been popping in on a regular basis with six flying across the Whooper Pond during the 11am Swan Feed yesterday. Best places to look for them are Folly Pond and Flood Ground. The Golden Plover were a good show yesterday with over 1,000 f
26 December 2019
Golden Plover Flock
As well as the large flocks of Lapwing previously mentioned we are now starting to catch up with some Golden Plover too in the wet fields. Both Corner field and Newfield have seen them drop in recently. Curlew are also around and the Barnacle Goose numb
26 December 2019
Festive Greetings from all at Caerlaverock
Well it would not be right without a Robin photo at this time of year! Thanks to our Engagement Officer, Faith Hillier, for this picture of a Robin enjoying the fat balls in our new log feeder. There were lovely flocks of Long-tailed Tits down the Saltc
24 December 2019