Dumfries and Galloway.

[Little Sparrow]

I had a wonderful week's holiday in Dumfries and Galloway 1st - 8th May, wish I was still there.lol! A brief report on places visited follows.
Kippford: This was base camp..well this is where the caravan park is that we stayed in for the week. A great park, no club/bar just a childrens play area and a small shop selling essentials. They have their own private woodland and at the highest points there are wonderful views, Red Squirrels breed here. Plenty of woodland/garden birds after the seed I put out on the balcony each day.

Wood of Cree: A woodland wonder...waterfalls, burns, wildflowers and birds! Highlight birds were Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, great views of the latter.

Wigtown Bay(Scotlands National Book town): Highlight birds were Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Rock Pipit and two Drake Garganey!

WWT Caerlaverock: A great reserve, an Autumn/Winter visit will be on the cards! Highlight birds were Hirundines, Wheatear, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Willow warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat and a single Whooper Swan that didn't wish to make the journey back North.lol!

Portpatrick: I cannot speak highly enough of this delightful village, love to retire there one day.lol! Highlight birds today were the six pairs of Black Guillemots that nest in the harbour walls! A beautiful little Auk, I could have taken one home with me.lol!! A pair of Eiders close to the shore were also a highlight today.

New England Bay: A delightful sheltered clean beach! Great watching the Stonechats catching flies and caterpillars and the gannets fishing whilst sat eating a delicious ice cream!

Mull of Galloway:Awesome views, well worth the hairy walk down to 'Foghorn' to see Shag, Fulmar, Kittiwake and Cormorant nesting on cliffs. c 5,000 Gannets breed on Scare Island, distant scope views were had of the Gannets fishing! Other highlight birds were wheatear, Rock Pipit, Skylark and Twite!

Clatteringshaws Loch: A short stop here as the rain came down, the first we had had in daytime! Siskin being the highlight.

RSPB Ken Dee Marshes: A delightful woodland walk to the marshes. Highlights being Skylark, Nuthatch, Lapwing, Redshank, Twite and a Red Squirrel.

RSPB Mersehead: One of the best RSPB reserves I have visited, a friendly welcome and a visitor centre with a viewing room which overlooks a lake/pool and comfy seats to relax in whilst watching the wildlife! Highlights today were Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Little Egret, Wigeon, Barnacle Goose (1), Yellowhammer, G B B & L B B Gull, Rook, male Marsh Harrier and a Brown Hare!

[alanjns]

It sounds wonderful Judith, glad you had such a great time.

Loving your Marsh Harrier pic - so that's how it's done.

Have you noticed that the rock above the waterfall in the 1st pic looks like a face?!!

[ijwilki]

Sounds idyllic. You obviously had a great time. It's an area I've never visited.

I'm particularly impressed by your Marsh harrier pic, but they are all good. The greenery really strikes me after the desert landscape here in Abu Dhabi - even where there is green vegetation here it is always dulled by a fine covering of dust!

3 weeks today and I'm back home for a couple of weeks. Going to Kielder for a few days while I'm home - hope I will have plenty to report.

[Twitcheruth]

Wonderful to hear and see all about your recent trip to D&G Judith!
A favourite summer haunt of ours when the boys were little so I remember most of the places that you visited.......we really must go back one summer now that our birds have fledged the nest and buckets and spades won't get in the way of the birding! lol
Your Marsh Harrier pic is a stunner.....you must be delighted with it!!
Portpatrick is a super place and those dear little Tysites never fail to thrill do they!

[astafjevs]

I can't thank you enough for this post Judith, and I'm glad you had a great time.

I have two days (well, two half-days) in D&G next weekend on the way back from the Highlands, with little idea of what to do or where to go until now!!

[Winterkoning]

There you go................Thats why Ive been to Scotland around 9 times Three times to Skye


It makes your heart Sing......beautiful photographs something to treasure


Regards Mike

[Winterkoning]

Originally Posted by alanjns

It sounds wonderful Judith, glad you had such a great time.

Loving your Marsh Harrier pic - so that's how it's done.

Have you noticed that the rock above the waterfall in the 1st pic looks like a face?!!

Well spotted Alan.............YES....RIGHT HAND SIDE!!

[Maggie28]

Wish I could have hung around more when in the area yesterday. It really has some nice places to visit and your pictures are great. In agreement with all regarding the marsh harrier.

I was planning to go this weekend but the weather is not looking too promising for a wander around the woodlands. Maybe Monday will be more hopeful.

[Little Sparrow]

Thank you all very much for your kind replies and comments.

I hadn't noticed the face, Alan! Well spotted, don't know how I missed it when I look at it now!

Three weeks will sooon pass, Ian! Hope you see plenty to tell us all about at Kielder!

Got you itching to go back then, Ruth! Take a bucket and spade just in case though!

[Little Sparrow]

I am so pleased that the report has given you some ideas on places to visit in D & G, Stuart! Enjoy the Highlands and D & G!

Scotland does make your heart sing, Mike! Wonderful scenery, wildlife and friendly people!

I had to do two posts as I could only have four smilies! Always a way around it!