Caerlaverock news
Update, Monday Nov 7th
The juvenile Scaup remains on The Whooper Pond amongst the 40-odd Tufteds, coming in close at feed times. Whooper Swans there are pretty constant at around 120. The Green-winged Teal is still on The Folly Pond. AÂ Water Rail is often under the feeders in
7 November 2016
Reserve Update Friday 4th November - Fieldfare, Scaup & named Whooper Swans
Large mixed flock of thrushes have been feeding down the Avenue today, comprising predominantly Fieldfare with some Song Thrush and Redwing. This has drawn the predators in with a pair of Sparrowhawk spotted having a tussle over a kill. A juvenile Sca
4 November 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 2nd November - Snow Goose & Great Egret
Above is a photo taken last night of the Great Egret roosting next to the Teal Pond, observed as we were locking up the Peter Scott Obs. In other news, a Snow Goose has turned up mixed in with the Barnacle Geese and has once again been seen this morning
2 November 2016
Latest Sightings - 29th October - Fog & named Whooper Swan update
Difficult to update sightings this morning as the reserve is coated in thick fog... We have had a big arrival of swans overnight, with 169 on the reserve this morning (up from 86 yesterday). They are currently split between the Whooper Pond and the Folly
29 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 28th October - back to sunshine
The sun is back today and the wind has dropped, making a lovely morning on the reserve. Over 100 Whooper Swans were at the 2pm feed yesterday, numbers are slowly increasing as they filter down from Iceland. Highlights at the moment are still the Green-win
28 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 27th October - change in the weather
Despite a change in the weather, all the usual suspects this morning. Plenty of Whooper Swans, Barnacle Geese and Pink-footed Geese going over the site. The morning and evening flights of Pink-feet have been spectacular the past few days, with around 10,0
27 October 2016
Reserve Update 26th October - water rail, whoopers and wigeon!
The water rail has once again re-appeared in the Peter Scott Trail underneath the bird feeder area. Seen yesterday and again first thing this morning. Another Whooper Swan family has turned up on the Whooper Pond with five cygnets just to confuse matt
26 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 22nd October - Paisley & Renfrew return!
Up early for the Icelandic Breeding Goose Census. Plenty of Pink-feet leaving the roost, mostly heading up the Solway towards Carlisle. The ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting over the merse from the Saltcot Merse Observatory this morning, and a flock of 20Â
22 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 21st October - More Whoopers arriving
More newly arrived Whooper Swans this morning, with another named swan 'Monty' red APH on the Whooper Pond along with a Martin Mere regular, 11 year old yellow K4C. This Peregrine was perched up at the Avenue Tower first thing, a big flock of Long-tailed
21 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 20th October - More Whoopers!
47 Whooper Swans on the reserve this morning. 14 are on the Folly Pond and 33 on the Whooper Pond including two families. Plenty of Barnacle Geese around the fields and merses, and Pink-footed Geese heading inland from the roost at 8:30am. Today's high ti
20 October 2016
Reserve Update Wednesday 19th October
Over forty Whooper Swans were present on the Folly Pond this morning, obviously having roosted there overnight. These birds have now dispersed around the reserve with some flying in to join the early morning feed. Hopefully they may stick around for t
19 October 2016
Reserve Update Tuesday 18th October
Neither the yellow-browed Warbler nor the Great Egret have been seen (or heard) this morning. The recent high tides have seen the Merse compartments flooded which is drawing the wildfowl. Another high tide is forecast for this afternoon which will make
18 October 2016
Latest Sightings - 17th October - another big tide!
The recent high tides have flooded the merses and provided great feeding areas for Pintail, Wigeon and Teal. The Great Egret is on the eastern merse from Avenue Tower this morning. A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard halfway down the Avenue first thing, but
17 October 2016
Latest Sightings 15th October - Green-winged Teal returns
The drake Green-winged Teal is back on the Folly Pond now and is halfway through his moult. The vertical white stripe is just visible on the side of the body and we have seen a metal ring on his right leg making us almost certain that this is the same bir
15 October 2016
Latest Sightings 14th October - Lazy geese
The Barnacle Geese are being very lazy this morning, most of them are still out on the roost. They will hopefully get moving soon. The Great Egret was in the Flood Ground this morning, having possibly popped across to Cumbria yesterday. It has moved off a
14 October 2016