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Seasonal highlights

Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

Spring

Carpets of bluebells and other woodland flowers; woodland birds include pied flycatchers, redstarts, tree pipits, wood warblers, willow tits, buzzards and great spotted woodpeckers. A range of bat species including the rare Leisler's bat. Red squirrels, otters and roe deer.

Pied flycatchers (illustration)Redstarts (illustration)Whitethroat (illustration)Wood warbler (illustration)
Pied flycatcherRedstartWhitethroatWood warbler

Summer

Woodland birds include pied flycatchers, redstarts, tree pipits, wood warblers, willow tits, buzzards and great spotted woodpeckers. A range of bat species including the rare Leisler's bat. Red squirrels, otters and roe deer.

BuzzardGreat spotted woodpecker (illustration)Adult male sparrowhawk artworkTree pipit (illustration)
BuzzardGreat spotted woodpeckerSparrowhawkTree pipit

Autumn

Goldeneyes, whooper swans, teal and mallards arrive on the reserve.

Male grey wagtailGoldeneyes (illustration)Teals (illustration)Whooper swan (illustration)
Grey wagtailGoldeneyeTealWhooper swan

Winter

Winter is a good time to explore the woodland as birds are easier to see when there are no leaves to get in the way! Roving flocks of tits may be accompanied by woodpeckers and treecreepers.

Fieldfare (illustration)Adult long-tailed titJay (illustration)Goldeneyes (illustration)
FieldfareLong-tailed titJayGoldeneye

Contact us

Where is it?

  • Lat/lng: 55.00538,-4.53306
  • Grid reference: NX381708
  • Nearest town: Newton Stewart, 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.