Latest sightings
Wet 'n Windy Caerlaverock, Tuesday 26th Jan
Almost impossible conditions first thing, so no real up-to-date wildlife sightings, though the swans are managing to hold station at the Whooper Pond in anticipation of the feeds. No Ring-necked Duck again, and the adult male Greater Scaup of the last few
26 January 2016
Reserve Update Monday Jan 25th
Dry today so far but heavy rain forecast for today and especially tomorrow. Both avenues are passable but wellies are recommended. The Ring-necked Duck is still absent, along with a large proportion of the Tufteds, though a male Greater Scaup has taken up
25 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 23rd January
A bright start to the day, but the Avenues are still very wet so wellies are still recommended to access the whole site. Still no sign of the drake Ring-necked Duck today. The Flood Ground is good today, with most of the Teal and Wigeon using the pools. T
23 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd January - Warm and wet again
Unfortunately we are back to warm and wet weather so the Avenues are once again flooded. Take care on the roads as well if you're visiting us today. The sun is due to make an appearance this afternoon! No sign of the Ring-necked Duck since Tuesday, it h
22 January 2016
Update, Thurs 21st Jan
Bright and cold today to begin with, but forecast to warm and become wet again later. No sign yesterday of the Ring-necked Duck, nor today thus far. Many of the Tufted duck missing too, presumably as a result of the extensive ice cover. We're hoping they
21 January 2016
Caerlaverock wildlife update, Wed Jan 20th
A good bright day, with little wind, but cold still at just above freezing, with a lot of the water bodies still iced over. Whooper Swan nos. are still a bit higher than of late, at around the 160 mark, though the Barnacles are more sketchy. Our dog Otter
20 January 2016
Update, Tuesday Jan 19th
Snow still lying but patchier now as the slow thaw continues. Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck still present though general duck nos. down a bit due to ice on outlying water bodies. 7 Bramblings yesterday around the farmhouse garden and 3 Water Rail
19 January 2016
Reserve latest, Monday Jan 18th
Still quite cold, albeit just above freezing. Snow still lying but no underfoot or road problems today. Wellies still recommended though. Lots of Whoopers at the feeds in the snowy conditions - up to 208 this morning; an increase of 80 on the recent avera
18 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 16th January - Ice here, snow forecast!
Very cold and frosty this morning. Take care if visiting as the roads and paths are icy and we have snow forecast for this afternoon. Extra care is needed to get down the Avenues today as the flooded areas have now frozen and although the ice is broken i
16 January 2016
Around the reserve, Thurs 14th Jan
Cold and sunny today, for a very welcome change. All road access is fully open though the avenues here are still quite waterlogged, so bring your wellies. Lots of Roe Deer evident lately, with 15 to 20 individuals at least. Little Egrets prominent too, wi
14 January 2016
Caerlaverock wild highs, Wed 13th Jan
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield. However the road is quite passable, the floods having fully receded. There are no access problems for vehicles at all. Access in turn to the hides in the wider area here requires wellington
13 January 2016
Caerlaverock reserve, Tues Jan 12th
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield due to flooding at Bankend (3 miles away) affecting visitors from an easterly direction, ie from Carlisle/Annan/M6. However the road is passable in practice... Otherwise, head to Dumfries and
12 January 2016
Reserve update, Monday Jan 11th
Access blocked due to flooding at Bankend (3 miles away) affecting visitors from an easterly direction, ie from Carlisle/Annan/M6. Head instead to Dumfries and back out to here via the Bankend Road, past the hospital. Access in turn to the hides in the wi
11 January 2016
Caerlaverock reserve, Sunday 10th Jan
Back to wet today after 31mm of rain in last 24hrs. Wellies are a must for full reserve access, also keep an eye on local traffic reports, as earlier the water was just coming over the road at Bankend, 3 miles away, and tide rising, possibly affecting vis
10 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 9th January - Otter still around
Dry and cold this morning, with plenty of waders in the fields. A lucky visitor was able to see the Otter in the Whooper Pond at 4pm yesterday. Today's high tide is at 11:42 9.0m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5000 Whooper Swans: 120 Whoop
9 January 2016