Summer to autumn
As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, I start to notice a change in Caerlaverock. The summer trail has now shut its gates for the winter and the Whooper Pond is almost ready to receive its annual swan migrants. The swallows and house martins have gathered, fed and have began their long journey to Africa. The birdscape has shifted as we welcome pink-footed geese onto our fields, soon to be followed by the barnacle geese arriving from the faraway Norwegian islands of Svalbard.
The Folly Pond is filling up with its autumn visitors. Lapwing and curlew in greater numbers are being spotted everyday, as well as teal, wigeon and pintail. Lots of little egret and a few great white egrets (mostly youngsters) have been on the Folly Pond and further out on the merse as well.
Even with the shocker of a summer that we have had here this year, these noticeable changes show just how diverse a habitat the wetlands here at Caerlaverock are. In just one year we see a variety of differences in the landscape, botany and other wildlife that we have on site.
As this will be the start of my first winter season here, I am excited to see how the site looks and the wildlife it brings. The difference in the sightings and the dawn chorus (which I hear is to be quite loud when living on site) is certainly something that I look forward to in the months to come. Suffice to say, I will not need to set my alarm clock from now on!
Words by Rebekah Allison
Feature image of lapwing by Alex Hillier
