Special Places

WWT Caerlaverock is a large wetland reserve and there are many corners to hide away, take some space and relax with nature. It changes drastically from summer to winter as wildlife comes and goes. Here the staff at Caerlaverock share what they love abou

WWT Caerlaverock is a large wetland reserve and there are many corners to hide away, take some space and relax with nature. It changes drastically from summer to winter as wildlife comes and goes. Here the staff at Caerlaverock share what they love about this wonderful reserve and some of their favourite spots!

“The view over the Solway especially watching the dawn flight of thousands of geese. From hearing the chatter of the geese through the darkness to the first geese starting to take flight, to the colours of the sun rise (who knew there could be so many!) to the masses of geese flying straight over your head. It is magical watching the reserve waking up with a fantastic back drop of the Solway Firth”.

Lorraine Hall, Admissions & Membership Assistant

“It has to be the Sir Peter Scott Observatory on a cold, sunny winter’s morning. Watching the whooper swans and their antics on the water as they bob their heads and whoop, peck at each other and the mute swans when they ‘busk’ purposefully around the pond. The ducks are stunning with their multi-coloured plumage and the swans and ducks are hilarious when the water is frozen and they are slipping about on the ice. It’s possible to sit for hours watching all the action on the whooper pond!”

Faith Hillier, Engagement Officer

“The Farmhouse Tower is an iconic landmark of the Caerlaverock landscape. It gives weary travellers the first tantalising glimpse that they have neared the end of their journey down the winding country lanes. The climb up the three storeys rewards with wide open views, Criffel to the West and the expanse of merse to the south, whilst also borrowing some of the Cumbrian landscape for dramatic effect. In summer you feel privileged to get a house martin’s eye view of their comings and goings as they nest in the eaves. In winter there is a feeling of the history of the place as you imagine the countless people who have stood in that very spot monitoring the Barnacle Geese over the generations. You will still hear the mad clicking of tally counters as we continue those counts to this day.”

Rhiannon Hatfield, Reserve Warden

"In the summertime I like to go for a walk at lunchtime on the river walk along the banks of the Lochar Water. It is so peaceful with butterflies flitting to and fro and the skylarks singing overhead. If you are quiet there is always the chance of a glimpse of an otter fishing in the river".

Brian Morrell, Centre Manager

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