Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Caerlaverock
Map Reference: WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre lies east of Dumfries near a village called Bankend.
WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre. Open all year. Many viewing hides. Excellent for wintering geese and ducks. Swan feed daily at 11.00am and 2.00pm during the winter months. Best winter bird viewing in the region. Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans a speciality. Centre Opens at 10.00am
WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre is probably the best known birding spot in Dumfries and Galloway, famous for it’s wintering population of barnacle geese and whooper swans.
Make no mistake this place is a must on anyone’s agenda visitor or local and the facilities make it first class. Magnificent viewing hides and of course birds to match. Tea-room, shop, toilets and easy walking between hides all add to the enjoyment of your day.
What will you see? Well in the winter you can be guaranteed geese (at least three species) whooper, bewick and mute swans, mallard, teal, wigeon, tufted duck, pochard, goldeneye, the list goes on. Many species of waders, and of course rarities, which are always turning up. Even if you are new to bird watching many of the birds are so close that you don’t really need binoculars, although they do help. Identification charts are in some hides to assist you. The sights and sounds will amaze you.
WWT is open all year and there is always something to see and do. Star gazing. Badger watching evenings, Barn Owl watching, including close circuit TV and much more.
Phone for details. Tel: 01387 770200
These webs pages have been put together by Keith Kirk. Keith is a semi pro natural history photographer and writer. He is the wildlife feature writer for D&G Life magazine and also writes a monthly Nature Notes column for the Galloway News. His day job is a countryside ranger with Dumfries and Galloway Council, something he has been doing for over 24 years. Keith also has another web site which promotes him as a photographer, whilst this site is more about Dumfries and Galloway, an unknown part of Scotland. www.dumfriesandgallowaywildlife.co.uk
Also check out www.flickr.com/photos/keithkirk8 which he updates on almost a daily basis with his latest images.
Keith is also a photographer who has tested many types of photography kit for manufacturers . At the moment he is testing Bushnell and Spypoint wildlife/trail/stealth cameras. Checkout the link at the top of the page or go to www.scottcountry.co.uk for more info. Also coming soon will be a report on a new outdoor clothing manufacturer (Ridgeline) that is producing good kit for Wildlife Photographers and Birdwatchers.........so watch this space. Here's a quick preview.
A clothing brand in New Zealand has now hit the shores of the UK. Featuring technical fabrics, and membranes that are ideal for photographers and birdwatchers in the changeable UK Climate. Life is about experience and choices, those between you and your environment, you and the gear you wear. Ridgeline's products are affordable, rugged, durable and comfortable, and allow you to get on with the task at hand whenever you need to and wherever you are.
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