Accessibility during autumn and winter

During the colder months, the reserve can be wet and muddy so waterproof footwear is recommended. Those with limited mobility or using push wheelchairs may find traversing the Avenue and Saltcot Loaning unsuitable. Please call us on 01387 770200 for more info.

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Latest sightings

Latest Sightings - 24th June

Latest Sightings - 24th June

It's turning out to be a bright and sunny morning here, with a bit of a breeze. Still more young birds along the Avenues and in the hides. The Swallows in the Teal Pond hide have fledged 5 youngsters yesterday, they were still hopping around inside the hi

24 June 2017

Latest Sightings - 22nd June

Latest Sightings - 22nd June

Butterflies are now being seen around the reserve so keep a eye open for them when walking around. The  four very noisy Swallow chicks that can now be seen in the teal pond hide are looking like they are going to fledge any day now, with more chicks

22 June 2017

Latest Sightings - 17th June

Latest Sightings - 17th June

  The Black-headed Gull chicks are doing well on the Flood Ground, 3 of them have hatched on one of the rafts. The Oystercatcher chick on the Teal Pond is also doing very well as you can see below... The Mute Swan family are still on the Whooper Pon

17 June 2017

Latest Sightings - 16th June - Mute Swan cygnets!

Latest Sightings - 16th June - Mute Swan cygnets!

The Avenues have completely dried out now, so there is no need for wellies. The Mute Swan family are now on the Whooper Pond, arriving to be fed this morning. They have hatched 4 cygnets, which are only a day or so old! You can see them in front of the

16 June 2017

Reserve Update Wednesday 14th June

Reserve Update Wednesday 14th June

It is baby bird bonanza down at the Teal Pond this morning.  There is still the one Oystercatcher chick being attentively fed by it's parents.  Four very noisy Swallow chicks can now be seen in the hide itself, with more chicks heard on a nest outside

14 June 2017

Monday update, June 12th

Monday update, June 12th

Calmer this morning after quite severe winds all of yesterday which made for difficult birding, though around the high tide there were several Fulmars and Gannets battling their way back out to sea from the Inner Solway where the inclement conditions had

12 June 2017

Latest Sightings - 10th June - still very wet!

Latest Sightings - 10th June - still very wet!

Even wetter Avenues this morning, so walking boots or wellies are essential for reaching the Avenue Tower and Saltcot Merse Observatory! We will do our best to make them accessible, but there is little we can do at the moment. Last night we conducted our

10 June 2017

Latest sightings - 9th June - very wet Avenues

Latest sightings - 9th June - very wet Avenues

If you are planning to visit this weekend, boots or wellies are needed to get down the Avenues. It is very wet underfoot thanks to the heavy rain last week. The Avenues are worth the walk at the moment, with fantastic numbers of young birds around. Recen

9 June 2017

Tuesday June 6th update

Tuesday June 6th update

Nearly two inches of rain over the last 48hrs and it's still coming... Spectacular numbers of hirundines hunting in the lee of the banking on the south side of the main avenue this morning. House Martins in particular seem to be doing well here this seaso

6 June 2017

Reserve Update Saturday 3rd June

Reserve Update Saturday 3rd June

Another lovely start to the day with fledgling birds down the Avenue and more of our wildflowers coming out in the Meadow and Avenues.  There has also been a bumper number of Brown Hares visible first thing this morning with three in the fields down at t

3 June 2017

Reserve Update Wednesday 31st May

Reserve Update Wednesday 31st May

Back to more of the sunny weather today!  Blackcap parents are busy feeding chicks along the Avenue.  There are now two Swallow nests being utilised at the Teal Pond hide, another above the entrance way to join the one at the left hand side inside. Two

31 May 2017

Monday May 29th

Monday May 29th

A bit wet today, must be a bank holiday for some... As expected the Ospreys have begun to hatch after their 35 day incubation, with the first of what we hope will become three appearing on camera yesterday. A few Lapwing and Oystercatcher chicks about, th

29 May 2017

Latest Sightings - 27th May

Latest Sightings - 27th May

A cooler start to the day, with more of a breeze than yesterday. The Avenues are alive with bird song, and a lot of recently fledged Blackbirds, Robins, Blackcaps and many more! Another big tide this afternoon could be worth a look. The heat haze we had y

27 May 2017

Latest Sightings - 26th May - Avocets again early this morning

Latest Sightings - 26th May - Avocets again early this morning

Two Avocets were seen early this morning on the Folly Pond, but have since moved elsewhere, we are trying to relocate them. It's set to be a very hot day, with little wind making it perfect for watching insects in the Meadow. Damselflies and Dragonflies a

26 May 2017

Reserve Update Thursday 25th May - Orchids start flowering

Reserve Update Thursday 25th May - Orchids start flowering

With the recent spells of sunny weather interspersed with rain showers ever more wild flowers are coming into colour.  The first Orchids have now been spotted in the Meadow and there is one that has popped up alongside the path down to the Peter Scott O

25 May 2017