Sightings - Caerlaverock

Tuesday April 5th update

Tuesday April 5th update

First Willow Warbler singing yesterday evening, plus a few Swallows and Sand Martins to replace the dwindling Whooper Swans, of which 21 on site this morning with a further 47 on nearby Upper Locharwoods, though there were probably about 100 at roost on F

5 April 2016

Update, Monday April 4th

Update, Monday April 4th

The Ring-necked Duck appears to have moved on, no sign today nor yesterday. Green-winged Teal still on Folly Pond this morning though. House Martin and Sand Martin yesterday. Whoopers on the reserve down to 22, with a further 31 at nearby Upper Locharwoo

4 April 2016

Latest Sightings - 1st April

Latest Sightings - 1st April

The drake Ring-necked Duck is on the Whooper Pond again this morning, in amongst the Tufted Ducks. The Flood Ground is the place to be today, with good numbers of wildfowl and waders feeding, Lapwing and Curlew displaying, and Black-headed Gulls squabbl

1 April 2016

Latest Sightings - 31st March - Ring-necked Duck returns

Latest Sightings - 31st March - Ring-necked Duck returns

A drake Ring-necked Duck has appeared on the reserve with the Tufted Ducks again. We had one here earlier in the winter before it disappeared. This could be the same individual, based on behaviour, but it's difficult to say for sure. The bird looks diff

31 March 2016

Wednesday March 30th update

Wednesday March 30th update

Male Ring-necked Duck on the Back Pond this morning. Just a handful of Whoopers (34)remain, but interestingly some dropped in from very high first thing. Goose nos (Barnacles) had also dropped yesterday, to just over 3,000. It's still possible to get cl

30 March 2016

Tuesday update, March 29th

Tuesday update, March 29th

Male ring-necked Duck on Whooper Pond this morning, but down to 32 Whooper Swans, from 86 yesterday. Barnacle nos. have been good albeit largely confined to the merses. Over 6,000 yesterday were disturbed briefly by a pair of Peregrines hunting co-operati

29 March 2016

Sunday March 27th update

Sunday March 27th update

Very blustery and showery so far today. 84 Whoopers at the early feed and good nos. of Barnacles in the Lochar Field. Still plenty of duck around but nos. dropping off as is to be expected. First Swallow for the area was seen and photographed by a visitor

27 March 2016

Reserve update, Wed March 23rd

Reserve update, Wed March 23rd

Whoopers still around in reasonable nos, with about 60 here at the feeds and a further 70 at nearby Ruthwell. Barnacle nos have been at around 4000 but could only find 1350 earlier this am. A few Black-tailed Godwits are on the Flood Ground with some Snip

23 March 2016

Latest Sightings - 22nd March

Latest Sightings - 22nd March

Today's high tide is at 11:52  9m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 2500 Whooper Swans: 52 Whooper Pond Whooper Swan 52 Mute Swan 25 Mallard 35 Tufted Duck 10 Wigeon 75 Greater Scaup 1♂ Oystercatcher 2 - nest scraping Folly Pond Green-w

22 March 2016

Latest Sightings - 19th March - Spring is nearly here

Latest Sightings - 19th March - Spring is nearly here

Spring is fast on the way now, Skylarks are singing across the reserve, plenty of Daffodils out, and now the Primroses are in bloom. Today's high tide is at 09:34  7.9m Around the reserve today: Barnacle Geese: 2500 Whooper Swans: 43 Whooper Pond Whoo

19 March 2016

Latest Sightings - 18th March - migration in action

Latest Sightings - 18th March - migration in action

96 Whooper Swans on the pond this morning, but as soon as the 8:30 happened, 26 of them took off heading north east. They definitely haven't been to our feeds this winter, and are probably heading north having wintered further south. Today's high tide is

18 March 2016

(Late) reserve update, Thurs March 17th

(Late) reserve update, Thurs March 17th

Still about 60 Whoopers at the feeds; many having moved off during the last few days. We still await our first spring incomers though... Barnacles too remain fairly constant at about 4,000. Apologies are due today for disturbance to The Folly Pond owing

17 March 2016

Reserve update, Wed March 16th

Reserve update, Wed March 16th

Down to about 60 Whoopers this morning, with lots of restless activity, though still a further 80 or so at nearby Ruthwell. Greater Scaup on Whooper Pond too. Barnacles holding up here at something over 4,000. A few pairs of Pintail are in the Flood Groun

16 March 2016

Tuesday March 15th update

Tuesday March 15th update

Whooper nos. down slightly this morning with 82 on the pond before the early feed, of which 12 were clearly new arrivals, flying off as the feed began. Still C100 feeding just off the reserve in two locations, at Ruthwell and Upper Locharwoods. Evidence t

15 March 2016

Reserve update Monday March 14th

Reserve update Monday March 14th

Water Rail are still showing well on the Peter Scott Trail, Barnacles around in some nos. yesterday, over 7,000. Whooper Swan nos. holding up too, 110 at the early feed today, with more just off the reserve in three locations. Short-eared Owl again yeste

14 March 2016