April Events: 1 - 13 April

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

*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.

Wings on Wheels

Wednesday 2nd April, 10.00am – 4.00pm, Tourist Information Centre, Castle Douglas

On board our Criffel Coaches minibus we will be visiting some of the top birdwatching sites in the area, especially noted for wading birds and wildfowl.  Sites will include RSPB Mersehead, Southerness, Carsethorn and the River Nith.

Meet: Tourist Information Centre, Market Street Car Park, Castle Douglas.

Cost: £10 per adult

Further information and bookings (essential): Tina Flinn, RSPB 01387 780579

*Craft Day

Wednesday 2nd April, 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 402420

Magical meadows

Wednesday 2 April, 2pm -3.30pm, Rockcliffe

Come along and help the National Scenic Areas Ranger hunt for the bugs and beasties that call the meadow their home. This is an easy walk. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet: Rockcliffe main car park, Grid Ref: NX852535

Further information and booking (essential): 01387 260127 or mob 07824708110 e-mail ian.brown2@dumgal.gov.uk

Hatchery Open Day

Wednesday 2nd April, 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 e-mail  NDSFB@salmonfishery.demon.co.uk

Bats

Thursday 3rd April, 8pm, Glentrool Visitor Centre

Bats are fantastic! Join local bat group for an informative slide show and then search for bats hunting in the night sky.  Please bring warm/waterproof clothing, midge repellent, hat and torch.
Cost: Charges apply
Meet: Glentrool Visitor Centre
Further information and booking (essential):  contact the Galloway Forest Park Office on 01671 402420

*Nature Trail/Quiz

Thursday 3rd April, 10.00am – 2.00pm, Caerlaverock NNR

Turn up anytime between 10am and 2pm.
Meet: Caerlaverock NNR Office, Hollands Farm Road, Caerlaverock, Dumfries, DG1 4RS.
Further information: Scottish Natural Heritage, Reserve Office 01387 770275

*Explore the Seashore

Thursday 3rd April, 1pm - 2pm, Carsethorn

Ever wondered what creatures lived in the shells that you find along the beach? All will become clear after a visit to Powillimont with the National Scenic Area Ranger. This is an easy walk but bring wellies. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet: Powillimont beach car park, Grid Ref: NX989564
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 260127 or mob 07824708110 e-mail ian.brown2@dumgal.gov.uk

*Wildlife Explorers Bugs & Birds

Friday 4th April, 11am – 1pm, Mersehead Reserve

Are you an intrepid explorer? Join our Field Teachers as they take a walk around the award winning reserve to find out about our very special birds and beasties!! Sturdy footwear and waterproofs

recommended.
Meet: Mersehead Visitor Centre NX925561. Mersehead Reserve is

signposted left off the A710 approx 24 km / 15 miles along the coast from Dumfries.  Bus 372 from Dumfries stops at Southwick (Caulkerbush) 1.5 km / 1 mile from the visitor centre. Please bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.
Cost: £2 per child. RSPB & Wildlife Explorer members free
Further information and bookings (essential): Ella McLellan, RSPB 01387 780579

*Wildlife in your Compost Bin!

Friday 4th April, 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

Discover Mabie Nature Reserve

Saturday 5th April, 12.00noon – 3.00pm, Mabie Forest

Join Forestry Commission staff and wildlife experts as we explore one of the region's richest wildlife sites.  Mabie Nature Reserve is

special for many kinds of plant and animal.  This early spring visit

will give an opportunity to see what's around at this time of year, and to find out what will appear as the year progresses.
Meet: Mabie Forest Car Park
Further information and bookings (essential): Forestry Commission, Scotland 01387 860247

Red Kite Feeding Station Open Day

Saturday 5th April, anytime between 1.30pm and 4pm, Laurieston

Free entry to the Red Kite feeding station, Laurieston.  The Red Kite team will be on hand to show you these magnificent birds and answer any questions.
Meet: Bellymack Hill Farm, Laurieston, Grid Ref: NX688652.  Bring outdoor footwear and clothing. No booking required.
Cost: Free but donations welcome
Further information: Calum Murray, RSPB 01556 670464

DumfriesandGalloway@rspb.org.uk  www.gallowaykitetrail.com

Feathered Friends

Sunday 6th April 12.00noon – 2.00pm, Drumlanrig Castle

Come along and join in the workshop, making feeders and boxes to help them get ready for the season.
Meet: Drumlanrig Castle Visitor Centre, Thornhill, Grid Ref: NX852992
Cost: Usual Country Park Admission charges apply
Further information and booking (essential): Buccleuch Ranger Service 01848 331555  www.drumlanrig.com

Farm Wetland Walk

Sunday 6th April, 11.00am Smallrigg Farm, Lochmaben

A walk around a dairy farm looking at farmland habitats, particularly, ponds and wetlands which benefit wildlife.
Meet: Smallrigg Farm, Lochmaben
Further information and booking (essential): Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group 01387 760576

Fish Up Close

Monday 7th April, 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 www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org

Kirkconnell Flow National Nature Reserve Guided Walk

Wednesday 9th April, 2pm-4pm, New Abbey

Meet the reserve warden for a gentle walk around the raised bog and through surrounding pine forest to learn more about the sites wildlife, history and management.
Meet: Kirkconnell Flow car park. Grid ref NX963701. Access to the reserve is from the A710 Dumfries to New Abbey road. Coming from Dumfries pass the entrance to Mabie Forest on your right and take the next turning left between two white pillars onto Kirkconnel Avenue.  The reserve entrance is 300m on the left.  The 372 bus from Dumfries will also set passengers down at the road entrance.
Further information: Beth Wilson, Scottish Natural Heritage 01387 247010 beth.wilson@snh.gov.uk

Wings on Wheels

Wednesday 9th April, 10.00am – 4.00pm, Brooms Road Car Park, Dumfries

On board our Criffel Coaches minibus we will be visiting some of the top birdwatching sites in the area, especially noted for wading birds and wildfowl.  Sites will include RSPB Mersehead, Southerness, Carsethorn and the River Nith.
Meet: Brooms Road Car Park, Dumfries
Cost: £10 per adult
Further information and bookings (essential): Tina Flinn, RSPB 01387 780579

Reptile Ramble

Thursday 10th April, 10am - 1pm, Mossdale

Join Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Resources Centre (DGERC) staff at Mossdale on a walk looking for some of the region's elusive reptiles.  Find out how to look for and identify the three species of native Scottish reptiles, all of which are found in the surrounding area.
Meet: Car park by Stroan Loch on the Raiders Road. NX647700
Cost: optional donation
Further information and booking (essential): Mark Pollitt, DGERC, Solway Heritage. 01387 247543 e-mail: info@dgerc.org.uk

A Lapwing Spring

Friday 11th April, 10am – 12noon, Mersehead Reserve

A morning walk around Mersehead Reserve to see displaying lapwings and other wildlife.  A great chance to learn about the wonderful wetland birds that are found around our region.  This event coincides with the launch of the Dumfries and Galloway lapwing recording postcard.
Meet: Mersehead Visitor Centre NX925561. Mersehead Reserve is signposted left off the A710 approx 24 km / 15 miles along the coast from Dumfries.  Bus 372 from Dumfries stops at Southwick (Caulkerbush) 1.5 km / 1 mile from the visitor centre.
Cost: Free but donations welcome
Further information and booking (essential): Tina Flinn, RSPB 01387 780579

*Seashore Shells on the Seashore

Friday 11th April, Afternoon (time dependant on tides), Brighouse Bay

*South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital Open Day

Saturday 12th April, anytime between 11am and 4pm, Parkgate

Come along and visit your local wildlife hospital. You will have the opportunity to find out what exactly we do, look round our facilities and observe fantastic CCTV footage of patients past and present!
Meet: Wildlife Hospital Car park, Barony College.

Cost: Free but donations appreciated
Further information: South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital 01387 860 461 soswh@barony.ac.uk   www.soswh.org.uk

Carstramon Wood

Saturday 12th April, 10am-12noon, Gatehouse of Fleet

Enjoy a walk through this Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve in the company of local naturalist Brian Smith.
Meet: Carstramon Wood, Gatehouse of Fleet NX589602. Bring outdoor footwear and clothing. Sorry, no dogs. No booking required.
Further Information: Scottish Wildlife Trust (Stewartry) 01556 620617

*Wildlife Explorers: Remarkable Raptors

Saturday 12th April, 11am-1pm, Ken Dee Marshes Reserve

Fascinating facts about some of the birds of prey living here in Galloway, from the fastest and largest to the smallest!  Find out how they hunt and find prey. We may even get to see one or two at Ken Dee on the day.
Meet: Ken Dee Marshes Reserve car park, NX699684. Ken Dee Marshes Reserve is signposted on the A713 Ayr road and after about 2 miles (3.2 km) turn left onto the B795 sign posted Laurieston.  After about 2/3 of a mile (1.1 km) turn right onto a single tracked road and continue for 3 miles (5 km) to the car park.
Cost: Free but donations welcome
Further information: Calum Murray, RSPB 01556 670464

Upland Wildlife at the Grey Mare’s Tail

Sunday 13th April, 1- 4pm, Grey Mare’s Tail, Moffat

After the winter, the numbers of birds, insects and flowers will be rising in the hills. Come along to see the changes, hopefully to include good views of peregrine falcons nesting.The walk will take place on steep ground, but on a good path.
Meet: Grey Mare's Tail car park, 10 miles NE of Moffat on the A708. Grid ref: NT156187

Cost: This event is free but donations welcome!
Further information and booking: Dan Watson on 0844 493 2249 or email dwatson@nts.org.uk

Wigtown Harbour Wetland Birdwatch

Sunday 13th April, anytime between 10am and 4.30pm, Wigtown

Experts will be on hand to show you an array of wetland birds, including pink-footed geese on their way back to Iceland.
Meet: Wigtown Harbour car park NX440549. No booking required. Wigtown is on the A714 seven miles (11 km) south of Newton Stewart.
Further information: Paul Collin, RSPB 01671 402861

Land Rover Tour

Sunday 13th April, 10.00am - 12.00noon and 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Sit back and enjoy the sights of the Queensberry Estate from the comfort of our landrover with one of our experienced rangers as your guide.
Meet: Drumlanrig Castle Visitor Centre, Thornhill, NX 852 992
Cost: £15.00 per person.  Maximum 6 people per trip.
Further Information:  and booking (essential): Buccleuch Ranger Service 01848 331555  www.drumlanrig.com