Latest sightings
Sunshine on Geese
Huge numbers of geese in the sunshine around the local area today. Canada, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese can be seen feeding in the fields and flying around the reserve.6 Barnacle Geese were in front of the Saltcot Merse Observatory yesterday, no sign of
21 September 2019
Whoopers, Barnacles and Pink-feet
It's starting to feel a lot like winter, despite the bright sunshine and 20 degree heat!12 Whooper Swans arrived yesterday, but only one is still here on the Whooper Pond. The first small flock of Barnacle Geese have arrived with 6 in front of the Saltcot
20 September 2019
Goldfinches and Pintail
The Goldfinches and Chaffinches are absolutely loving the Meadowsweet seeds around the Reserve, particularly in the Wildlife Garden. We have seven Pintail that have turned up on our Folly Pond and are currently taking a nap mixed in with the large number
13 September 2019
Autumn Berries and Raptors
The hedgerow down to the Peter Scott Observatory is looking great with the Guelder Rose, Dog Rose and Hawthorn all now with berries. Down to the Avenue there are still Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing with Goldcrests starting to make an appearance a
12 September 2019
Folly Pond Filling Up
This does not just refer to the recent weather and all the rain that has fallen but also the number of birds starting to congregate here. Teal numbers have jumped up to over the five hundred mark. The Shoveler are starting to return while there are stil
4 September 2019
Windy weather and big tides
The wind has now dropped so the Avenue and Summer Walk have reopened and the sun is shining!The high tide is at 13:47 and is a big one, with this wind behind it could be quite a spectacle. 500 Pintail, Shelduck and Dunlin were seen over the high tide yest
31 August 2019
Anniversary of the Paddock
It is two years since the Paddock project began - find out how it has has changed
23 August 2019
Teal are here
The ponds are filling with ducks, with both the Folly Pond and Flood Ground particularly good for Teal, Mallard and Shoveler.Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Snipe are feeding around the edges, with House Martins and Swallows over the surface of the wate
22 August 2019
Autumn days
A windy start to the day, with rain expected later.Duck and wader numbers are increasing slowly with more Teal and Shoveler around. Pintail are expected any day now.Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe can be seen around the Folly Pond and Flood Ground.
21 August 2019
Summer in the Garden
An update by Caerlaverock Reserve Warden Rhiannon Hatfield, on the highlights of the wildlife garden this summer
19 August 2019
Good Weather for Ducks!
Well the weather really has thrown everything at us this week, though it is good that the forecast hail did not materialise in the end! We have closed the River Walk section of our Summer walk due to flooding and high tides. Please also bear in mind that
17 August 2019
It's a Wader Day
There are two Green Sandpipers and a Ruff on Folly Pond this morning. They are joined on the pool by Snipe, Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit and a juvenile Shelduck. If you look closely in the photo of the Folly Pond taken this morning from the Scottish W
8 August 2019
A Charm of Goldfinches
With the Thistles now going to seed there are large flocks of Goldfinches around the reserve making use of this bounty. Up to twenty were seen down the Saltcot Loaning this morning. Another good spot to keep an eye out is along the Meadow and River Walk
7 August 2019
Where have all the moorhens gone?
WWT Caerlaverock placement student, Catrin Eden, discusses the results of her research project on moorhens.
6 August 2019
Green Sandpiper and Swallows
A Green Sandpiper is still on the reserve having been chased off the Whooper Pond by Swallows first thing this morning. It could be on the Back Pond or Folly Pond now. Plenty of Snipe also on the Folly Pond with at least 8 in front of the Scottish Water H
3 August 2019