March Events: 21 March - 31 March
*Marked events are particularly suitable for younger children (aged 5-12) and families. All other events are suitable for older children & adults.
Bird of Prey Day
Friday 21st March, 10am - 4.30pm, Kippford Holiday Park
A day with birds of prey with the opportunity to fly them, under the guidance of a falconer.
Cost: individual Hawk Walks £15 per head or £45 for a group of four
Meet: Kippford Holiday Park
Further information and booking (essential): Kippford Holiday Park: 01556 620636
*Easter Treasure Hunt
Saturday 22nd March, 1pm to 3pm, Dalbeattie Forest
A fun family event for all ages and abilities, with tasty prizes!
Meet: Dalbeattie Forest Town Wood Car Park
Further information: Forestry Commission, Scotland 01387 860247
*Easter
Sunday 23rd March, 11am - 3.30pm, Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Trails, quizzes, goodie bags, games and lots of fun, all to be had at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre.
Cost: Charges apply
Meet: Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Further information: Contact the Galloway Forest Park Office on 01671 402420
 *Wetland Wildlife
Sunday 23rd March, 11am - 4.00pm, Kelton Mains Farm, Castle Douglas
An event for all the family to explore the wonderful variety of wildlife that inhabits the river and marshes at Threave.
Meet: Threave Castle car park, Kelton Mains Farm, Castle Douglas
Further information: National Trust for Scotland Ranger Service, Threave 01556 503702
 *Easter in the Forest
Monday 24th March, 12noon-3pm, Mabie Forest
Join our tasty treasure hunt and bring along a painted egg for the egg rolling competition.
Meet: Mabie Forest Car Park
Further information: Forestry Commission, Scotland 01387 860247
 Solway Waders
Monday 24th March, 10.00am - 12.30, Southerness
Join Rangers Keith Kirk and Ian Brown as they search for waders and other birds on this part of the North Solway. Even though winter should be over we will try to find some Purple Sandpipers.
Meet: Southerness Lighthouse. Bring wellies and binoculars. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Some uneven rocky terrain, otherwise not very strenuous.
Further information and booking (essential): Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Service 01556 505479 (answer phone) or email keith.kirk@dumgal.gov.uk
Birds of the Stewartry Lochs
Tuesday 25 March, 10.30am – 3.00pm
Brush up on your waterbird identification: geese, swans, ducks, gulls, waders etc at Carlingwark Loch. Followed by a car-based tour along the west side of the Ken/Dee marshes and Woodhall Loch. Beginners and children are especially welcome. It will be possible to join the excursion for half day only.
Bring: binoculars and lunch.
Meet: Carlingwark Loch car park, NX 765618.
Further information: SOC secretary 01644 430226 or SOC chairman 01556 670466.
 Hatchery Open Day
Wednesday 26th March, 10am - 12noon, Auldgirth
Come and see the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board's hatchery where Salmon fry can be seen feeding and the whole hatchery process will be explained. You can then join us on a field visit to see and hear how some of our riverside habitat improvement work is helping improve biodiversity within our catchments and increase fish numbers.
Meet: Auldgirth Inn Car Park, Auldgirth NX913868. Bring outdoor clothes and wellies.
Further Information and bookings (essential): Nith District Salmon Fishery Board 01387 740043
mailto:NDSFB@salmonfishery.demon.co.uk
*Kid's Bird Box Building
Wednesday 26th March, 10.00am and 2pm, Caerlaverock NNR
Meet: Caerlaverock NNR Office, Hollands Farm Road,
Caerlaverock, Dumfries, DG1 4RS.
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 770275 (please note that places will be limited for this event)
 Heritage Trees
Wednesday 26th March, 2.00pm - 5.00pm, Gatehouse of Fleet
Trees are often some of the oldest features in the landscape, and have played an important role in history. Discover some of the ancient trees of the Fleet Valley National Scenic area, their contribution to local economies of the past and their current value for wildlife and scenery. The walk is moderate with some steep climbs, boots or wellies recommended.
Meet: Venue to be confirmed
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 260127 or mob 07824708110 e-mail ian.brown2@dumgal.gov.uk
*Craft Day
Wednesday 26th March, 11am - 3pm, Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Join staff at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre and make something unique to take home.
Cost: £1 per child
Meet: Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Further information: contact the Galloway Forest Park Office on 01671 402 420.
 Red Deer Range - Guided Walk
Thursday 27th March 2pm - 3pm, Galloway Red Deer Range
See Galloway Red Deer at close hand in their natural environment - Wild Galloway.
Meet: at the Red Deer Range car park located on the A712 between Newton Stewart and New Galloway.
Cost: Charges apply
Further information: contact the Galloway Forest Park Office on 01671 402420
Fish Up Close
Friday 28th March, 11am-12.30pm, Wigtown
Guided Tour of Galloway Fisheries Trust Hatchery, which will give a close up view of wild trout and salmon before they are released into their native river. There will also be a look at a selection of salmon smolts that have been tagged, in order to help to estimate the number of salmon smolts leaving the Bladnoch to go to sea. Other species that may also be on show may include Pike, Perch, lampreys and Roach. To finish there will be a tour of Torhouse Trout, a fully operational Rainbow Trout Farm that is situated within the same site.
Meet: Torhouse Trout Farm Car Park. Grid ref: NX438547
Further information and booking (essential): Galloway Fisheries Trust 01671 403011
mail@gallowayfisheriestrust.org
http://www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org/
*Wildlife in your Compost Bin!
Friday 28th March, 10am - 4pm, Garden Wise, Castle Douglas Road, Dumfries
Come and learn about home composting and the animals which help to turn your organic waste into a resource.
Cost: Free
Meet: Garden Wise, Castle Douglas Road, Dumfries
Further information: contact Waste Prevention, Dumfries and Galloway Council on 01387 260139
 What’s that Duck?
Saturday 29th March, 1pm – 4pm, WWT Caerlaverock
Join WWT experts to find and identify the ducks, geese and swans wintering at this world renowned wetland reserve.
Meet: WWT Wetlands Centre, Caerlaverock. Sorry, no dogs
Cost: Normal admission charges apply, reduced rate for WWT members.
Further information and bookings (essential): Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200. Overnight accommodation available.
 Explore the Seashore
Saturday 29th March, 11.00am - 12.00noon, Gatehouse of Fleet
Ever wondered what creatures lived in the shells that you find along the beach? All will become clear after a visit to Cardoness with the National Scenic Area Ranger Grade. The walk is easy but bring wellies. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet: Cardoness Estate car park, Grid Ref: NX565537
Further information and booking (essential): Tel 01387 260127 or mob 07824708110 e-mail ian.brown2@dumgal.gov.uk
Whale and Dolphin Watch
Sunday 30 March, 11am - 3pm, Rhinns Coast
Join members of the local cetacean group to look out for whales, dolphins and porpoises off the Rhinns coast. Information on how to look for and identify the species found in the region will be available. No booking necessary, but please note that the watch is weather dependent and may be cancelled in the event of very poor weather conditions. Contact organiser if in doubt.
Meet: Join watchers on the headland by Killantringan Lighthouse (Black Head). Parking at Grid Ref: NW982567
Further information: Mark Pollitt, DGERC, Solway Heritage. 01387 247543. Email: info@dgerc.org.uk
Bogmania
Sunday 30th March, every hour from 11am - 4pm, Gatehouse of Fleet
Come and see a movie written by and starring local children, filmed on location at this National Nature Reserve.
Meet: Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve, NX554637.
Further information: Reserve Office 01557 814435.
 Wildlife Challenge
Sunday 30th March, 12.30pm – 3.30pm, Drumlanrig Castle
Test your knowledge of wildlife in our challenge. During the allocated time you will need to find a variety of Fauna and Flora and photograph them on your digital camera.
Meet: Drumlanrig Castle Visitor Centre, Thornhill, NX 852 992.
Cost: Usual Country Park Admission charges apply. Please bring binoculars and a digital camera.
Further Information and booking (essential): Buccleuch Ranger Service 01848 331555 www.drumlanrig.com
 *Stars and Stripes
Nightly from Monday 31st March to Sunday 13th April, 7.30pm Caerlaverock
Watch wild Badgers feeding just outside our comfortable observatory, Fair-trade tea and coffee available.
Meet: WWT Wetlands Centre, Caerlaverock. Sorry, no dogs
Cost: Normal admission charges apply, reduced rate for WWT members.
Further information and bookings (essential): Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200. Overnight accommodation available.
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