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Caerlaverock news

Latest Sightings - 12th June - Fox on the Folly Pond

Latest Sightings - 12th June - Fox on the Folly Pond

The sun is just breaking through the cloud this morning, and it is still very warm despite some rain last night. A large male Fox was causing some disturbance on the Folly Pond first thing. There are a few Roe Deer around the reserve, they should already

12 June 2016

Latest Sightings - 11th June

Latest Sightings - 11th June

Overcast and drizzly this morning, but still plenty of birds in song. Dragonflies and Damselflies a plenty around the Teal Pond at the start of the Summer Walk. Today's high tide is at 17:54  8.0m Around the reserve today: Wildflowers Cuckoo Flower Red

11 June 2016

Reserve Update Friday 10th June

Reserve Update Friday 10th June

Three ravens have decided that the platform out from Avenue Tower towards the Merse is the place to be this morning. Our flock of Hebridean sheep have been moved up to the paddock next to the farmhouse garden to help us graze it down.  I am sure they wou

10 June 2016

Reserve Update Thursday 9th June

Reserve Update Thursday 9th June

Lapwing numbers are starting to creep up on Folly Pond with fledglings also present.  Interestingly, small numbers of teal have also remained.  The moorhen family have constructed a new nest which is best seen from the Farmhouse Tower. Today's high tide

9 June 2016

Reserve Update Wednesday 8th June

Reserve Update Wednesday 8th June

Visitors today were rewarded with a circling osprey above the centre, obviously on its way out to the Nith. Elsewhere the hedgerows are blooming well with hawthorn and dog rose abundant.  Great for the bumblebees and butterflies! Today's high tide is atÂ

8 June 2016

Latest Sightings - 7th June

Latest Sightings - 7th June

Another scorcher of a morning. The reserve is getting very dry and managing water levels is getting tricky. The Mute Swan family with 7 cygnets are on the Whooper Pond, the youngsters growing quickly! Today's high tide is at 13:56  9.6m Around the res

7 June 2016

Latest Sightings - 6th June

Latest Sightings - 6th June

The sun is again shining and the birds are singing! A gang of 10 Grey Herons are on the Flood Ground today suggesting the Heronry has been successful! Today's high tide is at 13:56  9.6m Around the reserve today: Whooper Pond Mallard 58 Mute Swan 2 +

6 June 2016

Reserve Update Saturday 4th June

Reserve Update Saturday 4th June

The black-headed gulls were having a right set-to with three herons that had dared to get too close to the island in the flood ground.  There must be chicks on it, we just haven't been able to see them yet due to the vegetation cover. The baby bird count

4 June 2016

Latest Sightings - 3rd June - more sunshine and a Lego Damselfly!

Latest Sightings - 3rd June - more sunshine and a Lego Damselfly!

Another lovely sunny day on the reserve. The Meadow is growing at a rate of knots, and more Northern Marsh Orchids can now be seen popping their purple heads up. Good numbers of Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies are around the Teal Pond,

3 June 2016

Thursday June 2nd

Thursday June 2nd

Reed Warbler still singing in the Peter Scott Trail, now in the filtration reedbed. Garden Warbler too, along with plenty of young Greenfinches etc around the feed stations. Both Mute Swan broods doing well, with 7 young on the Back Pond and 5 down on the

2 June 2016

Sunday May 29th update

Sunday May 29th update

A quick wander around the Peter Scott Trail earlier gave sight and sound of both the Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler. No sign yet  of the three Little Grebe chicks at the Teal Pond despite the presence of both adults... Today's high tide is at 18:33 

29 May 2016

Latest Sightings - 28th May - Otters!

Latest Sightings - 28th May - Otters!

A family of Otters has been seen hunting and playing in the Lochar Water from the Summer Walk. Yesterday morning and evening, a mother with 2 cubs has passed along the river. Natterjack Toads were finally heard calling last night, a bit late, butit's a go

28 May 2016

Reserve Update 27th May

Reserve Update 27th May

Well you never know what you are going to see at Caerlaverock this time of year....three otter cubs seen from the summer walk gambolling up the Lochar Water!  They seemed not the slightest bit bothered by the tractor mowing the grass on the walk. Today'

27 May 2016

Reserve Update Thursday 26th May

Reserve Update Thursday 26th May

A reed warbler made a surprise visit to Caerlaverock yesterday and can still be heard singing in the reed beds on the Peter Scott Trail today.  While not a rare bird they are not a common sight (and sound!) to the reserve. The baby bird bonanza continues

26 May 2016

Wednesday May 25th

Wednesday May 25th

Much cooler and overcast today, albeit dry, making for better visibility. Little change on the wildlife front from recent days Today's high tide is at 15:17,  8.6m Around the reserve today: Whooper Pond Mallard 10+ Oystercatcher 2 Mute Swan 2 - wit

25 May 2016