News - Caerlaverock
New Caerlaverock observatory brings wildlife up close for all
A unique new wildlife-watching experience has opened in Scotland this week at WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre. The Sir Peter Scott Observatory is the latest in a long line of wildlife-watching innovations from WWT. From the two storey tower, visitors will
21 November 2013
Caerlaverock 3rd July 2013
Female Marsh Harrier over The Meadow and Flood Ground this morning, Little Grebe back on The Teal Pond and Common Sandpiper on The Folly Pond. A new-ish brood of Lapwing chicks (C1 wk-old) in The Lochar Field, earlier broods have now fledged and form part
3 July 2013
Tuesday 28th May
Still awaiting Osprey hatching (viewed via the CCTV link), but much restless activity from the adults, with plenty of new material brought to the nest. Barn Owls still on two chicks, three eggs to go. Two Little Stints dropped onto The Folly Pond briefly
28 May 2013
May 27th 2013
A cold, wet and windy day so far. Paerhaps this will push in a migrating skua or two as the spring tide rises towards 2.30pm? Otherwise not a great deal to report, with precious little singing or displaying in the attrocious conditions. Things very much a
27 May 2013
Sightings 26th May 2013
Our Barn Owls, visible on CCTV at the centre have hatched the first of their 5 eggs, similarly we anticipate the CCTV'd Ospreys to begin hatching any time now, maybe today, though no sign of a chick at time of writing. Elsewhere the reserve is fairly qui
26 May 2013
Caerlaverock, Wed 8th May
Becoming a wet day. The usual song birds in the avenues supplemented by 2 Common Whitethroats near The Avenue Tower and a Lesser Redpoll on one of the seed feeders. No Barnacles to be seen now, as expected, likewise the 3 Whoopers have vacated The Floodgr
8 May 2013
Caerlaverock sightings 7.5.13
A scan from The Farmhouse Tower today would indicate that the Barnacle Geese have finally left us. 40 could be found yesterday, 800 on Sunday past. Two Whooper Swans do remain on The Floodground though. Golden Plovers are still coming through, resplende
7 May 2013
Caerlaverock observatory demolished after 42 years
WWT Caerlaverock has seen quite a change this month with the demolition of the old observatory after 42 years of faithful service to make way for a brand new multi-level viewing hide. The new Sir Peter Scott hide, which will open later this year, has been
22 April 2013
Caerlaverock 6/4/2013 update
A few minutes after last update we at last have a pair of Ospreys on the nest. One unringed and one ringed but as yet unidentified... YIPPEE!!
6 April 2013
Caerlaverock sightings 6/4/13
Over 3500 Barnacle Geese visible from Farmhouse Tower today, and about a dozen Whoopers still around. NB Feeds at the Peter Scott Observatory have now ceased as the building will be fully closed from Monday 8th April, allowing the building work for its r
6 April 2013
Caerlaverock sightings Friday 5/4/13
Still awaiting any spring migrants, so the scene is very much a winter one still, with good nos. of Barnacles occupying many of the fields and merses, up to a dozen Whooper Swans and good-ish nos. still of Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall. Just one Little
5 April 2013
Caerlaverock sightings 31.3.13
Another bright but still cold day, with plenty (1000s) of Barnacles on/around the site, and lower nos. of Pinkfeet seeming to move through. Whooper Swans at the regular feeds are now dwindling fast, as expected, with only 9 on site at 0830, but with about
31 March 2013
Caerlaverock wildlife sightings 30.3.13
A bright, slightly warmer, dry day. Barnacle Geese in with a vengeance - morning tower count of almost 7000. (A leucistic bird was just off the reserve yesteday evening but no sign today as yet) A few Pink-footeds are dotted in with the Barnies. No sign
30 March 2013
3 waxwings eating hawthorn berries in Saltcot Loaning today
Great news, three waxwings eating hawthorn berries in Saltcot Loaning today. Hopefully the first of many sightings of these beautiful Scandinavian migrants. They can turn up in any location that has berries, supermarket car parks are a favourite!
6 November 2012
October update - arrival of thousands of birds!
Autumn is here at Caerlaverock and the geese are back. The first barnacle geese arrived on Sunday the 23rd of September and those first 91 birds were soon joined by thousands more with 9,600 counted from the farmhouse tower on the 3rd of October. These bi
9 October 2012