Ken-Dee Marshes

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Address
RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, Castle Douglas DG7 2LY
Grid ref
NX699684

With stunning views across the River Dee and Loch Ken, this reserve has both wetland and woodland to enjoy. There is a trail to a goose/kite viewing platform and two viewing hides, with interpretation, which provide excellent opportunities for viewing and learning about a variety of wildlife.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Open at all times.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free, but donations are very welcome.
Children
Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

  • No visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets off-site
  • Accessible toilets off-site
  • No Refreshments
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop off-site

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Dumfries station is 30 miles (48 km) from the reserve.

By bus

Glenlochar, 4 miles (6 km) south of the reserve.

By road

There is a car park on the minor road 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north from Glenlochar on the B795.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

What will the weather be like?

12 degrees, Cloudy

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 722Kb

Ken-Dee Marshes trail guide

Contact Ken-Dee Marshes

What will you see?

Our star species

About Ken-Dee Marshes

Habitat

Ken-Dee Marshes is made up of wetland and woodland in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway.

Conservation

We are maintaining the reserve as a roost and feeding refuge for an internationally important population of Greenland white-fronted geese. Loch Ken remains one of the very few Scottish mainland sites where this shy species regularly winters.

We are working to maintain the reserve’s high biodiversity interest, including otters, dragonflies, and plants such as the rare pillwort. We are also managing mature stands of broadleaved trees for barn owls, redstarts, song thrushes, spotted and pied flycatchers, and willow tits.

We are managing wetland habitats for important breeding birds, including redshanks, lapwings and ducks, such as the shoveler. Work includes maintaining ditches, sluices and islands in our lagoon. The islands have become home for a large colony of black-headed gulls, which make a noisy spectacle in the summer. We are also managing areas of common reed and reed canary grass to attract more reedbed species.

Site information

Ken-Dee Marshes is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its importance for wildlife in the UK. It is also classed as a Natura 2000 and Ramsar site.

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

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