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Star species

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

Pied flycatcher

It is easy to see how this bird gets its name on a spring walk around the woodland here. Stop and wait for them to dash out from prominent perches in the trees to snap up flies in their beaks.

Pied flycatchers (illustration)

Red kite

Red kites are very nearly unmistakable - check the long, forked tail and graceful, lazy, gliding flight. You may also hear their plaintive 'peee-oo' calls.

Red kite (illustration)

Redstart

Redstarts are typical birds of Scottish woodlands. Watch out for them in spring and summer shivering their reddish tails.

Redstarts (illustration)

White-fronted goose

A flock of white-fronted geese spends winter on the Ken-Dee Marshes and is generally present between late October and early April. These birds are of the orange-billed Greenland race, which winters mainly in Scotland and Ireland.

'Greenland' White-fronted goose (artwork)

Willow tit

Willow tits are becoming increasingly hard to find across the country, but there is still a population at the Ken-Dee Marshes. Listen for their harsh, buzzing 'beeee-beeee-beeee' call.

Willow tit (illustration)

Contact us

  • Tel: 01556 670464

Where is it?

  • Lat/lng: 54.99316,-4.03512
  • Grid reference: NX699684
  • Nearest town: Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
  • County: Dumfries and Galloway
  • Country: Scotland

Get directions

Note: Some reserves are not served directly by public transport and, in these cases, a nearby destination (from which you may need to walk or take a taxi or ferry) may be offered.