Latest sightings
Latest Sightings - 30th January
A better morning, with no rain at the moment, but it's not far away as usual. Today's high tide is at 16:02 8.3m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 5000 Whooper Swans: 173 Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 173 Mute Swan 61 Greater Scaup 1♂ Mallard
30 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 28th January - More flooding
The B725 from Annan is closed at Bankend due to flooding. Roads from Dumfries are currently open, but with a horrendous forecast they could become difficult this afternoon. Please take care if visiting us today. The rain is relentless at the moment and we
28 January 2016
Still wet and windy Caerlaverock, Wed Jan 27th
As yesterday, conditions are less than ideal, with floods and diversions on approach roads. Swan nos. at the early feed were at 120, with a further 100 or so at nearby Upper Locharwoods. Yesterday the otter joined the warden for the 2pm feed...! Once agai
27 January 2016
Wet 'n Windy Caerlaverock, Tuesday 26th Jan
Almost impossible conditions first thing, so no real up-to-date wildlife sightings, though the swans are managing to hold station at the Whooper Pond in anticipation of the feeds. No Ring-necked Duck again, and the adult male Greater Scaup of the last few
26 January 2016
Reserve Update Monday Jan 25th
Dry today so far but heavy rain forecast for today and especially tomorrow. Both avenues are passable but wellies are recommended. The Ring-necked Duck is still absent, along with a large proportion of the Tufteds, though a male Greater Scaup has taken up
25 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 23rd January
A bright start to the day, but the Avenues are still very wet so wellies are still recommended to access the whole site. Still no sign of the drake Ring-necked Duck today. The Flood Ground is good today, with most of the Teal and Wigeon using the pools. T
23 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd January - Warm and wet again
Unfortunately we are back to warm and wet weather so the Avenues are once again flooded. Take care on the roads as well if you're visiting us today. The sun is due to make an appearance this afternoon! No sign of the Ring-necked Duck since Tuesday, it h
22 January 2016
Update, Thurs 21st Jan
Bright and cold today to begin with, but forecast to warm and become wet again later. No sign yesterday of the Ring-necked Duck, nor today thus far. Many of the Tufted duck missing too, presumably as a result of the extensive ice cover. We're hoping they
21 January 2016
Caerlaverock wildlife update, Wed Jan 20th
A good bright day, with little wind, but cold still at just above freezing, with a lot of the water bodies still iced over. Whooper Swan nos. are still a bit higher than of late, at around the 160 mark, though the Barnacles are more sketchy. Our dog Otter
20 January 2016
Update, Tuesday Jan 19th
Snow still lying but patchier now as the slow thaw continues. Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck still present though general duck nos. down a bit due to ice on outlying water bodies. 7 Bramblings yesterday around the farmhouse garden and 3 Water Rail
19 January 2016
Reserve latest, Monday Jan 18th
Still quite cold, albeit just above freezing. Snow still lying but no underfoot or road problems today. Wellies still recommended though. Lots of Whoopers at the feeds in the snowy conditions - up to 208 this morning; an increase of 80 on the recent avera
18 January 2016
Latest Sightings - 16th January - Ice here, snow forecast!
Very cold and frosty this morning. Take care if visiting as the roads and paths are icy and we have snow forecast for this afternoon. Extra care is needed to get down the Avenues today as the flooded areas have now frozen and although the ice is broken i
16 January 2016
Around the reserve, Thurs 14th Jan
Cold and sunny today, for a very welcome change. All road access is fully open though the avenues here are still quite waterlogged, so bring your wellies. Lots of Roe Deer evident lately, with 15 to 20 individuals at least. Little Egrets prominent too, wi
14 January 2016
Caerlaverock wild highs, Wed 13th Jan
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield. However the road is quite passable, the floods having fully receded. There are no access problems for vehicles at all. Access in turn to the hides in the wider area here requires wellington
13 January 2016
Caerlaverock reserve, Tues Jan 12th
"Road Closed" signs are still up from B724 at Clarencefield due to flooding at Bankend (3 miles away) affecting visitors from an easterly direction, ie from Carlisle/Annan/M6. However the road is passable in practice... Otherwise, head to Dumfries and
12 January 2016