Week 1 Events: 2 April - 10 April

*Marked events are particularly suitable for younger children (aged 5-12) and families. All other events are suitable for older children & adults.

*Stars & Stripes Badger Watch

Nightly from Friday 2nd April to Sunday 18th April, 7.30pm, Caerlaverock

A unique opportunity to watch wild badgers feeding right outside our observatory windows.
Cost: Adults £7.50, Concessions £5, Children £2.50
Meet: 7.30pm, WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre, NY051656
Further information & bookings (essential): Due to the limited places available this event must be prepaid & tickets will be issued, 01387 770200

*Cycling Treasure Hunt

Friday 2nd April, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Ae Forest

Hire a bike or bring your own and head off on an easy going self-led Easter treasure hunt. The Ranger will explain all!  For more information on bike hire telephone 01387 860541
Meet: Ae Cafe and Bike Shop, Ae Forest, off the A701, NY985894
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland, 01387 860247

*Family Friday’s

Friday 2nd April, 11.00am - 4.00pm, Southwick

A day for all the family to enjoy! Come down to the reserve where we will have an action packed day of activities for you to get stuck into, from pond dipping to mini beast hunting to goose spotting.
Meet: RSPB Mersehead, Southwick, Dumfries, DG2 8AH, NX925561
Further information: Keeley Spate, 01387 780579

*Pond-dipping

Friday 2nd April, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Lockerbie

Come along and try pond dipping at the old curling pond at the Eskrigg Nature Reserve run by the Lockerbie Wildlife Trust. Bring wellies.
Meet: Meet at the car park at the Dryfesdale Visitors Lodge on the A709 near Lockerbie
Further information & bookings (essential): Jim Rae, Reserve Manager 01576 203314

*Easter Treasure Hunt

Saturday 3rd April, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, Dalbeattie

A fun Easter treasure hunt for all the family.
Meet: Dalbeattie Town Wood car park, NX837601
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland, 01387 860247

*Wildlife Explorers Birds and Nesting Event

Saturday 3rd April, 11.00am – 2.00pm, Southwick

How do birds make their nests? How much can a blue tit chick eat in a day?
Come along to this drop in session and learn all about nesting and the exciting world of birds! Take a look at some real bird nests and even try to make your own!
Meet: RSPB Mersehead, Southwick, Dumfries, DG2 8AH, NX925561
Further information:  Ella, 01387 780298

Fauna, Flora and Fossils

Saturday 3rd April, 1.00pm – 4.00pm, Grey Mare’s Tail

A two mile walk into Dob's Linn, where a beautiful hidden waterfall and fossils are guaranteed (weather permitting!). Wildlife is more elusive, but could include peregrine falcons, the earlier returning migratory upland birds and whichever flowers are brave enough to emerge at this time of year!
Meet: Grey Mare's Tail car park, 10 miles from Moffat on the A708, NT186145
Further information & bookings (essential): Contact the NTS ranger, 0844 493 2249 or greymare'stail@nts.org.uk

*Galloway Kite Trail Feeding Station Open Day

Saturday 3rd April, 1.30pm – 4.00pm, Laurieston

RSPB staff will be on hand to show you the kites, provide information and answer any questions.
Cost: Free entry in to the Red Kite feeding station at Laurieston –but donations welcome!
Meet: Ballymack Farm, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PJ, NX688652
Further information:  Contact Calum Murray, 01556 678464

Exploration for Otters

Saturday 3rd April, 3.00pm - 5.00pm, Drumlanrig

Join the Buccleuch Rangers as they search for the Otters of the Marr Burn.
Cost: Country park admission applies
Meet: Drumlanrig Visitor Centre, NX852992
Further information & bookings (essential): 01848 331555 or rangerservice@buccleuch.com

*Galloway Falconry

Easter Sunday 4th April, 10.00am – 4.30pm, Kippford

Come and see the Spectacular birds of prey and take part in a hawk walk.
Cost: £15.00 per person and £40.00 per family of 4 for walk
Meet: Kippford Holiday Park, Dalbeattie, DG5 4LF, NX845562
Further information & bookings (advisable): Please contact park reception on 01556 620636

*Easter Egg Bonanza

Easter Sunday 4th April 10.30am -12.30pm, Logan Botanic Gardens

Come along for a fun day out on Easter Sunday. A range of activities for children including face painting, painting your own egg and the magical Easter Egg hunt!!
Cost: Normal Garden admission charges apply: Adults £5/children £1
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer, DG9 9ND, NX096426
Further information: No booking required but for information please telephone 01776 860231 or visit www.rbge.org.uk\logan

*Easter at Kirroughtree

Easter Sunday 4th April, 11.00am - 3.30pm, Kirroughtree

Trails, quizzes, goodie bags, games and lots of fun to be had at Kirroughtree visitor centre. Remember to bring your own decorated boiled egg for the egg rolling competition 3.15pm! Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Cost: £3 per child
Meet: Kirroughtree visitor centre, NX451646
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland, 01671 402420

* ‘Spring has Sprung’ Discovery Day

Monday 5th April, 11.00am - 4.00pm, Rockcliffe

A chance to explore Rockcliffe with the National Trust for Scotland ranger.
Meet: Rockcliffe (follow the signs from

the main car park at NX852535)
Further information: please contact the ranger service on 01556 503702

*Easter in the Forest

Monday 5th April, 12.00pm - 3.00pm, Mabie Forest

Bring the family for a fun seasonal afternoon.  Including Easter Treasure Hunt, Egg Rolling Competition and the Best Nest Contest!
Meet: Mabie Forest car park, NX950709
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland, 01387 860247

Mull of Galloway Guided Walk

Monday 5th April, 1.00pm – 2.00pm, Drumore

Join RSPB staff on a walk and discover the Flora and Fauna of the Mull of Galloway reserve.  Not suitable for wheelchair or buggy access.
Meet: Mull of Galloway light house, Drumore, DG9 9HP, NX155304
Further information: Paul Tarling, 01776 840539

Gaggles of Geese

Monday 5th to Friday 9th April, anytime from 6.00pm until dusk, Wigtown

Goose Guides will be on hand every evening between 6 pm and dusk to help you identify the geese and swans of Wigtown Bay LNR which are passing through on their journey north to the Arctic. There will be binoculars, a telescope and identification books as well as the guide in the hide at Wigtown Harbour.
Meet: Wigtown Harbour hide, NX440548
Further information: Elizabeth Tindal (DGC Ranger) 01988 402401, wblnr@dumgal.gov.uk or Gus Keys (RSPB) 01671 404975

Terrific Tree Trail

Tuesday 6th April, 10.00am – 12.00noon, Allanton Peace Sanctuary

Trees are terrific, you can eat them, drink them, climb them, make a painkiller from them, or use them to build anything from a spoon to a sports car. And that’s before we even start on saving the planet and supporting the entire ecosystem. A walk through the recently planted woodland at Allenton Peace Sanctuary looking at the wildlife and folklore of the trees along with their culinary, medicinal and industrial uses.
Meet: Allanton peace sanctuary, NX912849
Further information & bookings (essential): 07702 250958

*Bird Box Building

Tuesday 6th April 2.00pm to 3.30pm, Logan Botanic Gardens

Come along and make your own bird nesting box to take away with you. Why not get close to nature this Easter and do your bit to save the Planet!
Cost: Normal Garden admission charges apply: Adults £5/children £1
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer, DG9 9ND, NX096426
Further information and booking (essential): Places should be reserved in advance by calling 01776 860231 or visit www.rbge.org.uk\logan

Up with the Lark?

Wednesday 7th April, 4.30am, Loch Doon

No....the Grouse! Join the RSPB and Forestry Commission Scotland for this special event at our newly created Black Grouse viewing platform along the Carrick Forest Drive.  It’s an early start but hopefully we will be rewarded with great sightings of this magnificent bird in beautiful surroundings.  Please wrap up warm, wear sturdy footwear and bring binoculars if you have them.  Please try not to wear anything too brightly coloured!
Meet: Loch Doon car park, Near Dalmellington, NX475942
Further information & bookings (essential): please contact FCS on 01671 402420

Hatchery Open Day

Wednesday 7th April, 10.00am -12.00noon, Auldgirth

Come and see the Nith Catchment Fishery Trust 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 increasing fish numbers. Bring outdoor clothes and wellies.
Meet: Auldgirth Inn car park, Auldgirth NX913868
Further Information and bookings (essential): Nith Catchment Fishery Trust, 01387 740043 NDSFB@salmonfishery.demon.co.uk

*Nest Building at Dumfries Museum

Wednesday 7th April, 10.30am – 11.30am, Dumfries

Do you think you could build a nest as well as the birds can? Come along and find out how, why and where birds build their nests and then have a go at building your own, and protecting it from predators!
Meet: Dumfries Museum, The Observatory, Dumfries, DG2 7SW, NX970757
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 253374 dumfries.museum@dumgal.gov.uk

* Explore the Seashore

Wednesday 7th April, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Rockcliffe

Ever wondered what creatures lived in the shells that you find along the beach? All will become clear after a visit to Rockcliffe with the National Scenic Area Ranger. This is an easy walk, but bring wellies. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet Rockcliffe main car park, Rockcliffe: NX852535
Further information and booking (essential): Ian Brown NSA Communities Ranger 01387 260180 email Ian.Brown2@dumgal.gov.uk

'Springtime Sprouting' at Wamphray Glen

Wednesday 7th April, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Wamphray Glen

A walk up the ancient semi-natural woodland of Wamphray Glen which is owned by The Crown Estate, examining the signs that show us that spring is finally on its way. Bring boots and binoculars.
Meet: Wamphray Glen car park (parking limited), NY121960
Further information and booking (essential): DGC Ranger Service, Ross Gemmell, 07834567893

Galloway Kite Trail Mossdale to Secret Cages guided walk

Thursday 8th April, 9.45am – 12.30pm, Mossdale

Join the RSPB Community Liaison Officer on a 5km walk from Mossdale to the secret cages, taking in views and wildlife along the old railway line and the Raiders Road, and returning via Mossdale Loch. Unfortunately this is not a suitable walk for wheelchair or buggy access. Sorry no dogs.
Meet: Galloway Kite Trail car park, Mossdale, Castle Douglas, NX662705
Further information: Calum Murray, 01556 670464

*Wood is good!

Thursday 8th April, 12.00noon – 2.00pm, Kirroughtree

Join Forestry Commission staff at Kirroughtree and make your very own wooden animal pencil holder and necklace to take home. Just turn up.
Cost: £2 per child
Meet: Kirroughtree visitor centre, NX451646
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland, 01671 402420

*Bugs and Beasties

Thursday 8th April 2.00pm to 3.30pm, Logan Botanic Garden

A fun filled event for all the family. Join Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Elizabeth Tindal in a minibeast hunt and make a deluxe “Bug Hotel” for the garden’s minibeast to stay in.
Cost: Normal Garden admission charges apply: Adults £5/children £1
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer, DG9 9ND, NX096426
Further information: No booking required but for information please telephone 01776 860231 or visit www.rbge.org.uk\logan

*Paper Making

Thursday 8th April, 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Logan Botanic Gardens

Make your own paper, the essential ingredient of any artist’s book.  We will help you to make your own art paper not just out of wood pulp but, flowers, leaves, grass, fungi and other interesting stuff, so go on give it a go!
Cost: Normal Garden admission charges apply: Adults £5/children £1
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Stranraer, DG9 9ND, NX096426
Further information: No booking required but for information please telephone 01776 860231 or visit www.rbge.org.uk\logan

*Going Nutty at Dumfries Museum

Friday 9th April, 10.30am – 11.30am, Dumfries

Scotland’s native Red Squirrel has been in Dumfries for hundreds of years but is now being chased out by American Grey Squirrels. Find out why they can’t live together and what you can do to help the Red Squirrel survive.
Meet Dumfries Museum, The Observatory, Dumfries, DG2 7SW, NX970757
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 253374 dumfries.museum@dumgal.gov.uk

*Fish Up Close

Friday 9th April, 11.00am -12.30pm, Wigtown

A guided tour of Galloway Fisheries Trust hatchery, giving a close up view of wild trout and salmon before they are released into their native river. Other species that may also be on show include Pike, Perch, lampreys, Roach and salmon smolts. 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,

NX 399554
Further information and booking (essential): Galloway Fisheries Trust, 01671 403011 mail@gallowayfisheriestrust.org www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org

*Family Friday’s

Friday 9th April, 11.00am - 4.00pm, Southwick

A day for all the family to enjoy! Come down to the reserve where we will have an action packed day of activities for you to get stuck in to, from pond dipping to mini beast hunting to goose spotting.
Meet: RSPB Mersehead, Southwick, Dumfries, DG2 8AH, NX925561
Further information: Keeley Spate, 01387 780579

*Explore the Seashore

Friday 9th April, 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Southerness

Ever wondered what creatures lived in the shells that you find along the beach? All will become clear after a visit to Powillimount with the National Scenic Area Ranger. This is an easy walk, but bring wellies. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet: Powillimount beach car park, near Southerness. NX989564
Further information and booking (essential): Ian Brown NSA Communities Ranger 01387 260180 e-mail ian.brown2@dumgal.gov.uk

Wood Pasture Walk at Barclye Farm

Saturday 10th April 10.00am – 12.00noon, near Newton Stewart

Join the Sulwath Connections Wood Pasture Project Officer for an informal and enjoyable walk around the RSPB Barclye Farm to see their newly created wood pasture. Bring suitable outdoor clothing and wellies.
Meet: RSPB Car park at Barclye, NX382692
Further information and booking (essential): Contact Eykolina Benny on 01387 247543 or woodpasture@solwayheritage.co.uk

Tales of the Riverbank

Saturday 10th April 10.00am – 1.00pm, St Anns

Join the Annan District Salmon Fishery Board to explore the River Annan and discover its fish population.  Bring suitable outdoor clothing and wellies.
Meet: Annan Fishery Board Office, St Ann's, Lockerbie, DG11 1HQ, NY070934
Further information and booking (essential): Annan Fishery Board, 01576 470600 or info@annanfisheryboard.co.uk

Treemendous Trees

Saturday 10th April, 2.30pm - 4.30pm, Drumlanrig

An opportunity to marvel at the fantastic range of tree that are present in our woodlands.
Cost: Country park admission applies
Meet: Drumlanrig Visitor Centre, NX852992
Further information & bookings (essential): 01848 331555 or rangerservice@buccleuch.com

Tree

Saturday 10th April, 7.00pm, WWT Caerlaverock

New writing and musical responses to the tree, wood and the forest by award-winning writers Jackie Galley and Vivien Jones and musicians Michael Hendry, Rebecca Hendry and Richard Jones.
Cost: £5.00. Illustrated printed chapbook of the texts available at £3.00
Meet: 7.00pm, WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre, NY051656
Further information: 01461 700396

*Cairnsmore of Fleet Art/Wildlife Workshop

Saturday 10th April & Sunday 11th April, 10.00am – 12.30pm or 1.00pm - 4.00pm each day, Drumore Farm

Half day workshops at the National Nature Reserve & visitors centre with an opportunity to recreate some of the flora and fauna in air-hardening clay.  Participants can then take their creations home with them. 
Meet: Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR, off the B746, NX 554637
Further information and booking (essential): Spaces are limited to 6 per workshop session so book early to avoid disappointment: The Reserve Office, 01557 814435