“Sooper Whoopers” at Caerlaverock

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Last year we featured the barnacle geese at WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) Caerlaverock, ten minutes from the Flat. But there’s so much more to see at our local wild and wonderful nature reserve including the elegant Whooper swans who arrive from Iceland every winter.

Don’t miss the wild swan feeds every day at 11 am and 2 pm (1st October – 31st March) when a warden will give a short talk about the swans and point out other water-birds on the pond. Even though I have been to countless feeds (we’ve been taking our teenage grandchildren with us since they were toddlers) I always come away with yet another piece of fascinating wildfowl information! As you can see from the pictures they offer great opportunities for the keen nature photographer.

Credit: Faith Hillier

 

And if you are stuck for an original present idea you could always gift the sponsorship of a swan. For £50 you can name one of the whooper swans that visit every year. You get annual updates, a certificate, swan magnet, pin badge a complimentary ticket for a visit to one of the WWT Wetland Centres and of course a photo of your swan.  If you are interested contact Faith Hillier at WWT 01387 770200 or go to the website https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock. You can let your imagination run riot when you name your swan – one of the Caerlaverock swans is called Obi-Swan-Kanobi so beat that!

Credit: Faith Hillier

 

My own favourite hide is on Folly Pond where only the other day I saw Whoopers, Teal, Wigeon, Shovellers, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada and Greylag Geese, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, loads of Lapwing and a lone Moorhen.

And keep your eyes peeled for the family of otters seen around the reserve this week – as well as for brown hares and badgers.

Credit: Joe Bilous

 

Of course the barnacles are back again in large numbers and if you are super-keen why not book in to one of the Dawn Flight events at WWT and watch thousands of geese flying in from the mudflats against the dawn sky. Early start though – you have to be there for 7.15 (more details on WWT’s website).

Alternatively you can come and stay in the Flat and watch the same geese, from the comfort of the cosy sitting room, as they fly past your window.

 

Check out availability and rates and call Sue on 01387770348 or email us at sue_greig@yahoo.co.uk if you’d like to book. You can also find us on the HomeAway website www.homeaway.co.uk it you’d prefer to instantly book on-line.