Latest sightings
Sightings 09/12/2016
A bit of a wet start to the day, however, a nice influx of Whooper Swans with 160 birds coming into the feed this morning. This gave us a chance to read some leg rings and 3 new birds were picked out. Orange YPJ & ZFJ were a new pair in with two cygne
9 December 2016
Sightings 08/12/16
A very misty but mild day with some nice sunny spells. Still no sign of the drake American Wigeon and the bad visibility is not helping. The Eurasian Wigeon numbers seemed to have dropped so it could have moved off the reserve with them for the time bei
8 December 2016
Latest Sightings - 7th December - Otter!
Dull and windy this morning, but a bit warmer than it has been. No sign as yet of the drake American Wigeon, but it could be hiding somewhere on the reserve. The Eurasian Wigeon flock has split into a few smaller flocks, so it could be feeding anywhere o
7 December 2016
Latest Sightings - 6th December - American Wigeon still here
It's a cold and dull morning, but fantastic birds around. This drake American Wigeon turned up yesterday and is still present on the Folly Pond in amongst the Eurasian Wigeon. American Wigeon - Photo by Dan Gornall Th
6 December 2016
Latest Sightings - 3rd December - Christmas Fayre Tomorrow
A brighter morning on the reserve. There is a huge flock of Whooper Swans in a field along the road to Brow Well, so keep an eye out as you drive in this morning. Join us tomorrow afternoon at our Christmas Fayre, 1-4pm. There will be a variety of festive
3 December 2016
Latest Sightings - 2nd December
Overcast and a bit dull this morning, but dry at the moment. Teal and Wigeon numbers are still quite good. The Whooper Swans are feeding in surrounding fields so numbers on the reserve have dropped a bit. 2 juvenile Greater Scaup are on the Whooper Pond w
2 December 2016
Latest Sightings - 29th November - Two Hen Harrier!
Cold and frosty again this morning, with most of the ponds frozen over. The drake Green-winged Teal is easy to spot as he is in the only patch of open water on the Folly Pond. Two male Hen Harriers are hunting over the merse this morning. Todays high tide
29 November 2016
Late update - Saturday 26th November
Another bright and brisk start to the day with freezing overnight temperatures creating a winter wonderland scene on the reserve. Not so good for the birds who have now been left with Whooper Pond as the only open water. The cool temperatures have a
26 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 24th November - Sun and ice!
Sunny again this morning, but the roads are icy and we have reports of a few accidents already so take care if you are heading our way. The frost and ice looks fantastic in the sun but it's causing a few difficulties for the birds as they skate around th
24 November 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 23rd November
A fantastic sunny and frosty morning on the reserve with the ducks skating on the ice. Over 100 Whooper Swans on the Whooper Pond first thing this morning. Two drake Green-winged Teal are currently on the Folly Pond, and were present on the res
23 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd November - Road closed B725 from Annan to Bankend & 2 Green-winged Teal!
The B725 is closed between Clarencefield & Bankend due to a coach blocking the road at 9am. If coming from Annan you may need to come via Dumfries. A windy but dry start to the day. Over 100 Whooper Swans on the Whooper Pond first thing, battling to
22 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 19th November - sunshine and swans
The Barnacle Geese are everywhere this morning, with big flocks in some of the fields. A cold night, with some frost this morning means the Whooper Swans have stayed on the Whooper Pond instead of going to feed elsewhere. The sun is shining and no wind ma
19 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 18th November - New Whoopers & up close Barnies
The Barnacle Geese are ridiculously close to the Avenue Tower this morning. Please approach the hide quietly and enter immediately to avoid disturbing them. You get a fantastic view from inside the tower. New Whooper Swans have arrived overnight, orange Y
18 November 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 16th November
Large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit are still out on the Folly Pond this morning with a few Redshank mixed in. Wigeon and Teal numbers have increased on the Folly Pond and Flood Ground, again possibly as a result of the recent high tides. It is due t
16 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 15th November
Still very mild here ,and the sun is out again. It doesn't really feel like winter yet, but we have had some rain and the avenues are a bit wet underfoot. The bright super-moon has meant that a lot of the Whooper Swans left the reserve during the night
15 November 2016