Latest sightings

Latest Sightings - 26th August

Latest Sightings - 26th August

A sunny start to the day on the reserve. The Black-tailed Godwits are again showing well in front of our new hide overlooking the Folly Pond along with at least 6 Snipe very close to the hide. Snipe in front of the new hid

26 August 2017

Latest Sightings - 25th August - Godwits, Harrier and Goshawk

Latest Sightings - 25th August - Godwits, Harrier and Goshawk

The Folly Pond is still one of the best places on the reserve at the moment. Plenty of mud means the Black-tailed Godwits are feeding there most days despite the work we have been doing around that area. There are over 60 Godwits there this morning. There

25 August 2017

Monday 21st Aug update

Monday 21st Aug update

Warmer now but temp. dropped to 7C last night. Teal nos are building, with over 300 now and a single pintail. Ospreys and Peregrine are regular out on the merse/estuary, along with Kestrel, Buzzard and distant Marsh Harrier. Wheatear out there too. Some l

21 August 2017

Reserve Update Friday 18th August - Kingfisher

Reserve Update Friday 18th August - Kingfisher

  A Kingfisher has been seen fishing in the Back Pond first thing this morning.  This will be the second sighting of it this week.  Wader and duck numbers are starting to increase around the reserve with 51 Black-tailed Godwit on the Folly Pond fir

18 August 2017

Latest Sightings - 12th August - Bioblitz today - free event for all!

Latest Sightings - 12th August - Bioblitz today - free event for all!

Join us between 10am - 5pm today for our Bioblitz event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (part of which we manage). We will try to find and identify as many species as possible in a day. This is a free event fo

12 August 2017

Latest Sightings - 9th August

Latest Sightings - 9th August

A sunny start to the day, which makes it great for watching butterflies and dragonflies in the meadow. An Osprey has just been seen flying over the reserve, and there appears to be a Goshawk kill in the Avenue. A large Woodpigeon has been killed and eaten

9 August 2017

Reserve Update Sunday 6th August

Reserve Update Sunday 6th August

Avenue Tower is the place to be this morning with a multitude of young birds present in the hawthorn tree at the entrance and also within the cover crop.  The goldfinches are still yammering for their parents to feed them while a solitary juvenile spot

6 August 2017

Latest Sightings - 5th August - Bankend Bridge update

Latest Sightings - 5th August - Bankend Bridge update

We have been told that the contractors working on the B725 at Bankend are behind schedule. The bridge is open this weekend, but will be CLOSED from Monday 7th until Friday 11th, day and night. Please use the diversion via Dumfries. It's a bright & sun

5 August 2017

Reserve Update Thursday 3rd August

Reserve Update Thursday 3rd August

  Decided autumnal feel to the place this last couple of days.  One black-tailed godwit was feeding on folly Pond first thing this morning and eight curlew, two lapwing and 56 teal were present in the Flood Ground Teal next to Avenue Tower.  Highli

3 August 2017

Sightings - 28/07/2017

Sightings - 28/07/2017

  Another juvenile Redstart was present down at Saltcot yesterday, showing very well along the path to the hide. There were 30 Scaup on the Solway at high tide, but they're extremely distant and hard to make out on the choppy water. These numbers w

28 July 2017

Sightings update - 27/07/2017

Sightings update - 27/07/2017

  There have been a couple of noteworthy sightings over the last few of days. Osprey sightings from Saltcot are becoming a much more regular occurrence, as adults are trying to find food for their ever growing chicks. One bird gave very good view

27 July 2017

Latest Sightings - 22nd July - Barn Owls nesting!

Latest Sightings - 22nd July - Barn Owls nesting!

News just in! Barn Owls have nested near the Visitor Centre for the first time since 2013. They appear to have fledged 2 chicks from the triangular nest box near the Peter Scott Observatory where we had Tawny Owls nest last year! Unfortunately unlike the

22 July 2017

Latest Sightings - 21st July

Latest Sightings - 21st July

Another wet morning on the reserve, so waterproofs and wellies would be recommended. Autumn wader passage could start at any minute, and we have some good muddy margins on the Folly Pond so do keep your eyes peeled. A juvenile Wimbrel was in the Corner Fi

21 July 2017

Latest Sightings - 15th July

Latest Sightings - 15th July

It's a bit wet and overcast this morning, but it's still a good day to visit us. You can duck in and out of our many hides and observatories as you make your way around the reserve. The rain means many birds are sheltering in the trees and hides, so keep

15 July 2017

Latest Sightings - 14th July

Latest Sightings - 14th July

  A cooler start to the day, but the meadow is still alive with butterflies and dragonflies. The wildflowers are in bloom and it is well worth a walk along the mown path. A Little Grebe has appeared on the Flood Ground this morning and there is still

14 July 2017