Threave Castle from the walk to the hides.
We hadn't visited Threave (near Castle Douglas) for a few years so we took advantage of the opportunity today. Set on the banks of the Dee near Loch Ken, Threave is primarily a winter birding site with plenty of geese and other wildfowl in the area. Pretty quiet today with a few Red Kites, Sedge Warblers and Garden Warblers in song. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers kept us amused as we completed the walk back to Threave Gardens and they seem quite plentiful in D&G. The gardens look a good place to search for Hawfinches in early spring - just might try that ........
Lochar Water, Caerlaverock WWT.
Avenue Tower Hide, Caerlaverock WWT.
Grey Herons (adult, above), Caerlaverock WWT.
In the afternoon we drove round the Nith to Caerlaverock once again. We took a walk out to Lochar Water (this trail is closed in the winter when the Barnacle Geese arrive) as the weather was so good. Not too much to note here - plenty of Skylarks and a pair of Stonechats. Nice to get close up to some Northern Marsh Orchids too. Can't miss out on the Folly Pond nowadays but it appeared quiet today. Thought I could hear a Greenshank though and sure enough Mrs B found it from the Avenue Tower hide in the late afternoon sunshine.
Greenshank, Caerlaverock WWT.
Osprey, Caerlaverock NNR.
We finished our day at the Caerlaverock NNR and walked out to the merse. We walked along a boardwalk through this super reed bed until we spotted an Osprey perched out on the saltmarsh. We'll keep an eye on this area in the winter when they're not shooting here.
