Latest sightings

23 Jan 2020

Winter Passerines and Water Rail

We have just completed our latest round of Winter Passerine surveys with the star attraction being the presence of a pair of Bullfinches. The male has actually been spending quite a bit of time in the hedgerows outside the Peter Scott Observatory so do k...

22 Jan 2020

Hazel Catkins and Hen Harrier

Another sign of spring around the reserve in the form of the hazel catkins! In the past week both the male and ringtail Hen harriers have been observed with good views of the male from the Avenue Tower yesterday. There are good numbers of Curlew around ...

20 Jan 2020

Otter still enjoying the Whooper Pond!

Otter sightings are still frequent on the reserve! This morning one of the juveniles was seen feeding on the edge of the water immediately in front of the Peter Scott Observatory windows. Sightings have occurred during our daily swan feeds so it's worth h...

16 Jan 2020

Reed Bunting and Goldcrest

Small bird activity has again been good down the Avenue and Loaning with close up views of Male Reed Bunting and also two Goldcrests. The flocks of Golden Plover are building up and can often be seen flying overhead, along with the Lapwing. Their moveme...

15 Jan 2020

Wader Weather

It has been good weather for the waders recently with all the heavy rains. Small flocks of Golden Plover were bombing around the Merse, as seen from Saltcot Merse Observatory, this morning. Looking lovely when the sun broke through the clouds to shine o...

09 Jan 2020

Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Otters

Well the otters are still popping into and out of the Whooper pond on a regular basis so please keep your eyes peeled for them. The small bird activity down the Saltcot Loaning and Avenue has been really good recently with lovely views of Goldcrest, Bulf...

04 Jan 2020

Otters, Harriers and Yellowhammers

Visitors yesterday were treated to fantastic views of a young Otter on the Whooper Pond at the 2pm Swan Feed and a male Hen Harrier at the Saltcot Merse Observatory. Yellowhammers were feeding in the Avenue outside the Peter Scott Observatory before dashi...

03 Jan 2020

Rails and Harriers

We have been treated to fantastic views of two Water Rail under the bird feeders in the Peter Scott Trail and up to four Hen Harriers at the Saltcot Merse Observatory!Two male and two ringtail Hen Harriers have been regularly hunting over the saltmarshes...

01 Jan 2020

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone out there.Our New Year's Day Bird Race is well underway with over 50 different species seen by staff and visitors in the first 2 hours, can you help us reach 70 by 4pm?Here is the current update on named Whooper Swan sightings:N...

31 Dec 2019

Otters in the Frost

The family of Otters is still around. Not just in the morning, they are being seen at all times of day in different parts of the reserve.Plenty of Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans to see, along with the fantastic variety of ducks and waders.A male Hen Har...

26 Dec 2019

Pintail Popping in

The Pintail have been popping in on a regular basis with six flying across the Whooper Pond during the 11am Swan Feed yesterday. Best places to look for them are Folly Pond and Flood Ground. The Golden Plover were a good show yesterday with over 1,000 f...

26 Dec 2019

Golden Plover Flock

As well as the large flocks of Lapwing previously mentioned we are now starting to catch up with some Golden Plover too in the wet fields. Both Corner field and Newfield have seen them drop in recently. Curlew are also around and the Barnacle Goose numb...

24 Dec 2019

Festive Greetings from all at Caerlaverock

Well it would not be right without a Robin photo at this time of year! Thanks to our Engagement Officer, Faith Hillier, for this picture of a Robin enjoying the fat balls in our new log feeder. There were lovely flocks of Long-tailed Tits down the Saltc...

23 Dec 2019

The otter cubs are getting ready for Christmas!

Our two otter cubs have been seen out and about on the Whooper pond! Yesterday morning they were playing on the banking while the swans were being fed! They have been sighted all over the reserve so keep your eyes peeled. Lapwing have been seen both in th...

21 Dec 2019

Swan Age Assessment and Low Tide Counts

It has been a busy week with survey work. Since doing the Winter Passerine Survey we have also carried out a Whooper Swan Age Assessment and a Low Tide count as part of the Wetland Bird Survey. We counted 150 swans as part of our age assessment, altho...