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


Water avens credit Paul McLaughlin*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


Bluebell Wood credit Solway Heritage*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


Lapwing credit rspbSolway 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.


Salmon 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)


Ancient tree credit Peter NormanHeritage 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 credit Ben Hall rspb-images.comRed 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


Shelduck credit Mark PollittWhat’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.


Wheatear credit Mark PollittExplore 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.


Fungi credit Solway HeritageWildlife 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


Badger*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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