Latest sightings
Reserve Update Thursday 16th March - Garganey returns
A solitary drake Garganey returned to the Folly Pond yesterday afternoon and has been sighted once again this morning, this time using the borrow pit in Corner Field. It is best viewed from the top floor of the Peter Scott Observatory or the small green
16 March 2017
Update, Monday March 13th
After the excitement of the early Garganey at the weekend, we're back to normal today. There is no sign today so far of the 7 which graced the reserve yesterday... A shame as 7 constitute a record at one site for Dumfries & Galloway, as well being un
13 March 2017
Reserve Update Saturday 11th March - Garganey!
Exciting start to the morning with four Garganey (two pairs) observed on the Folly Pond. Good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Redshank also, so a good place to have a look if you are popping in today! Todays high tide is at 08:38, 7.8m Around the
11 March 2017
Reserve Update Wednesday 8th March
Drake Goosander is back on the Flood Ground this morning, where he is joined by a growing number of very noisy Black-headed Gulls! Down the Avenue there were close views of Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper and Goldcrest feeding along the hawthorn trees. S
8 March 2017
Quick update, Monday March 6th
Bright sunny and mild today - what's going on?! Whooper Swan numbers today reflect the spring feel, with just 93 at the 11:00 feed. Over 100 feeding just off the reserve though, split between three different sites. Duck nos. appear to have dropped off a
6 March 2017
Latest Sightings - 3rd March - Yellowhammer singing!
A drizzly start to the day, and the birds are making the most of the flooded fields rather than the ponds! We have started to see more Brown Hares around the reserve lately, and it is feeling a bit more spring-like with Yellowhammers singing opposite the
3 March 2017
Reserve Update Thursday 2nd March
The Folly Pond is still a busy place this morning with large numbers of ducks and waders pushed back from the recent high tides. It was another good afternoon down at Saltcot Merse Observatory with two hen harriers seen yesterday, a male and a ringtail.
2 March 2017
Splashtastic Scottish Puddle Jumping!
During the February halfterm holidays we held the Scottish Puddle Jumping Championships with Dusty Duck at WWT Caerlaverock! Puddle jumpers of all ages showed us their skills at making a splash – and our volunteer judge, Andy was looking for creativity,
1 March 2017
Latest Sightings - 1st March
Apologies for the late update, our internet has been down this morning. It's been a lovely morning on the reserve, very calm after the storm at the weekend. The Folly Pond is very busy at the moment with good numbers of duck feeding. Our new nesting raft
1 March 2017
Sightings 27/02/2017 - Divers!
It has been a good morning for birds. With quite a high tide, large numbers of Dunlin were swirling around over the shore with 1700 briefly dropping into field 3, which already contained over 2000 Golden Plover, quite a sight! A large feeding flock of Sta
27 February 2017
Latest Sightings - 25th February - Wet and wild
As forecast, it is a very wet and windy start to the day. Wellies are recommended for getting down the Avenues. The Whooper Swans are battling the wind and waves on the Whooper Pond and the fields are becoming increasingly flooded. Golden Plover are feed
25 February 2017
Rafts ahoy!
The Reserve Team have been very busy over the past two days and you will see a couple of new additions on your next visit! We have floated the first of five new nesting rafts on the Teal Pond... You can see the new raft from the Teal Pond hide and fing
22 February 2017
Reserve Update Wednesday 22nd February
Bit of a blustery start to this morning. Good numbers of Redshank, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit feeding (and sleeping!) around the edges of the Folly Pond. No sign of either of the drake Green-winged Teal so far. If visiting, you may notice that
22 February 2017
Monday update, Feb 20th
Damp and breezy to begin with. Not a lot of change recently but plenty to see. Barnacle Goose nos. continue to hold up well, with around 7000 most days, including a leucistic bird yesterday as well as the hybrid Snow Goose x Barnacle. 107 Black-tailed God
20 February 2017
Latest Sightings - 18th February
It's a bit of a wet start to the day, but mild. Quite often when the temperature rises in winter we see rain. It's just a light drizzle at the moment and will hopefully ease off later in the day. Plenty of Whooper Swans on the reserve this morning and a
18 February 2017