Caerlaverock news
Have ewe seen our sheep's new hair?
As part of our natterjack toad habitat management, we have a flock of Hebridean sheep who help to maintain grass levels. Short grass helps natterjack toads traverse to breeding grounds from hibernaculum (a place that amphibians shelter over winter) and re
19 July 2025
BDS Dragonfly Week Round Up
It’s been a busy week at WWT Caerlaverock celebrating British Dragonfly Society Dragonfly Week.Despite the rain, on the opening weekend our Reserve Placement Madisyn led the first Dragonfly Safari, local artist Kirsty Harris ran her first Art workshop,
17 July 2025
Where are the waders? (and other recent sightings)
At this time of year, you never know what you’re going to get when you head over to the Folly Pond. A little ringed plover one day, a green sandpiper the next. But why is it so changeable? Left: green sandpiper. Right: Little ringed plover. Pictures
14 July 2025
Dragonfly Photography Competition: Top Tips
We are on the hunt for the best photo of a dragonfly at WWT Caerlaverock. Will it be yours? There are lots of photo opportunities on the reserve, regardless of how sophisticated your mobile or camera is, and we are entering the summer months which are th
8 July 2025
Nature's Nursery
Whilst it may seem quieter at WWT Caerlaverock without the wintering geese and swans, the reserve has become nature's nursery. Wetlands provide a lot of food, abundant with insects and a variety of plants and the reserve is managed to maximise biodivers
4 July 2025
Droning on at WWT Caerlaverock: Wilder, Wetter Caerlaverock Diaries no. 13
These days it feels like drones are that popular and ingrained in society that when people think of their uses they think of social media influencers, great ways of getting a different perspective of a scenic holiday location, or even delivery services. A
30 June 2025
Swift Awareness Week
Swift Awareness Week runs from Saturday 28th June to Sunday 6th July. First held in 2018, the week encourages groups around the country to celebrate swifts, highlight their decline, and encourage people to act. Although they do not nest at WWT Caerlavero
28 June 2025
Dragonfly and Damselfly Spotlight
There may seem to be less birdlife to observe at WWT Caerlaverock over the summer, with our barnacle geese and whooper swans away at their breeding grounds up north. However, there is still plenty to see on site, especially if you look a little closer at
26 June 2025
Volunteers Week 2025: Hear from Andy!
Where do I begin? Is it with the laughs, memories, or amazing learning opportunities that have arisen? Whether it’s been path maintenance, gorse clearance, or coppicing, a recurring theme is that it has always been fun. That is brought on by the staff a
4 June 2025
Pond dipping at WWT Caerlaverock
We are now well into our pond dipping season at WWT Caerlaverock and freshwater invertebrates are being seen in abundance. Pond dipping is a great hands-on activity that provides a fun and interactive way of learning about nature and the creatures living
31 May 2025
The gall of it all!
Galls are weird and wonderful growths that develop on plants after a parasitic fungi, bacteria, virus, or insect has invaded and they can be found in over half of all plant families. Once the egg or pathogen has penetrated the plant’s growing tissue, th
28 May 2025
Creating mini wetlands: trough ponds
You might wander into our courtyard and think it’s just a paved-out area with not a lot going on. However, at a closer look you can see areas in the corners where there are repurposed and old water troughs. Upon inspection, you will see that these troug
25 May 2025
Counting Here, Counting There: The Beginning of the Monitoring Season
Many people think of winter as the most exciting season of our site and it's hard to argue with the thousands of barnacle geese backing up that opinion with a flurry of excited yapping and flapping! For me spring and summer are the peak of my time on the
21 May 2025
A wander along the summer meadow trail
As I walk through the summer meadow trail, the first thing I notice is the osier willow. The slim leaves and fluffy pines stand out as they make a soft rustle in the breeze. I hear the distinct honks of greylags overhead, who have appeared to make the wat
17 May 2025
Hello to the newest spring arrival!
My name is Saoirse and I’m delighted to have recently started an Engagement Placement at WWT Caerlaverock. My curiosity for nature was ignited by my rural upbringing in the Scottish Lammermuirs and I pursued a degree in Zoology at the University of Edin
14 May 2025