Caerlaverock news
Black-headed Gull chicks and Reed Warbler singing
More baby birds to report! The Black-headed Gull colony in the Flood Ground have begun hatching chicks. This morning there were at least 5 chicks on the rafts, hopefully with more to come. We will aim to keep the water levels up to deter predators and giv
19 June 2019
Shelduck Chicks
More baby birds to report! During yesterday's monthly Wetland Bird Survey a pair of Shelduck with 7 chicks were observed out on the Merse in front of the Saltcot Observatory. It also appears that the Oystercatchers on Folly Pond are once again sitting on
17 June 2019
Eclipse is Coming
No, this is not anything celestial related but the Autumn moult of duck species. Already the Mallard and the Shoveler are starting to look decidedly worn in appearance. It is a rather strange summer as we still seem to have small numbers of our winter d
15 June 2019
Baby Bird Bonanza
In addition to the juvenile birds mentioned in previous posts, yesterday we had our first sighting of a Tree Sparrow chick around the feeders in the Peter Scott Trail. We were also hoping for the flip flap of little Tree Sparrow wings down the Avenue bu
14 June 2019
Hedgerows in Bloom
While the Hawthorn may have finished flowering, the Dog and Guelder roses have taken over the mantle and are providing colour to the hedgerows down to the Peter Scott Observatory. The Hedgerows are also alive with the sound of young birds calling for the
13 June 2019
Summer?
The sun is shining, there are young birds everywhere, dragonflies and butterflies are on the wildflowers. It's a perfect day for a visit!High Tide: 15:12, 9.2mOpening times:10am - 5pm every day except Christmas DayAround the reserve:WildflowersCuckoo Fl
6 June 2019
Orchids in the Meadow
It looks set to be another good year for Orchids this summer. They are starting to appear up in the meadow with the Northern Marsh Orchids showing well. If you also happen to glance across the Flood Ground from the Campbell Hide or Avenue Tower then you
1 June 2019
Water Rail on Teal Pond
It is all go on the Teal Pond today! Rather unusual sighting of a Water Rail. The resident Moorhens were not too pleased to see it and gave it a good battering so it has not been seen since. The Swallow in the hide seems to be sitting on eggs. Meanwhile,
28 May 2019
Tree Sparrows Nesting
We have recently been doing surveys of our nestboxes on site to discover what is using them. Apart from the usual Blue Tits and Great Tits we also have our Tree Sparrows back nesting around the feeders in the Peter Scott Trail. In a turn up for the book
25 May 2019
More Lapwing Chicks
Some of the Lapwing that had been nesting on our Lochar Field have now hatched their eggs and little chicks can be seen bumbling around the various waterbodies in the Flood Ground. They are joined there by some more youngsters with a couple of Mallard br
24 May 2019
Roe Deer and Hawthorn Blossom
Roe deer are much in evidence at the moment with sightings even from the Loaning and Avenue. The new Hawthorn growth is tempting them to venture in closer. The Hawthorn itself is looking lovely with the May blossom peaking. Where we have done works to
23 May 2019
Garganey still on Folly
Well it looks like the drake Garganey is making himself at home on our Folly Pond, back again this morning. Still a few Black-tailed Godwits remaining too, looking lovely in their breeding plumage, and good numbers of Shelduck. There were reports yester
21 May 2019
Skylarks Serenading
During our recent Breeding Bird Surveys out on the merse we have been greeted by a wonderful chorus of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. For a fully immersive experience the best place to listen and appreciate is within the Saltcot Merse Observatory. While do
18 May 2019
Otters on the Lochar
If visiting the reserve be sure to take a wander along our summer walk and out to the river. Visitors have been reporting sightings of the otter out there. The Garganey is back again on the Folly Pond this morning. Swallows are nesting well in the Picn
17 May 2019
Garganey Back Around
The drake Garganey has made a re-appearance on the Folly Pond, showing nicely from the Folly Pond hide itself. It has been joined there by a lone Greenshank, this best seen from Sharp's Lookout. Elsewhere the Mute Swan cygnets have appeared on the Flood
16 May 2019