Rascarrel Bay Lodges

The Osprey Hide at the Threave Estate

If you want to get to see an Osprey, Threave Estate, just outside Castle Douglas, is an excellent place to go as they have a dedicated hide at the side of the River Dee where you can get an excellent view of their nest. The River Dee which runs through Threave Estate is also home to Otters, so keep an eye out for them. The turn off for the car park is on the roundabout west of Castle Douglas on the A75.  To Find out more about the Threave Estate visit: www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate/

Threave Estate and Gardens

Threave estate is made up of a mixture of woodlands, wetlands and farmland and is home to many different species including the Greater spotted woodpecker, red squirrels and 9 different species of Bat. There is a Bat trail on the estate as well as several other walks which meander their way across the estate.

Threave Castle is also on the estate, sitting on it's own little island on the River Dee. There is a boat which can take you across to the castle if you want to visit. For more information on the castle visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Threave Gardens are made up of exotic plants and champion trees and has stunning views across the Galloway countryside. There is car parking, a tearoom and shop next to the gardens. To Find out more about Threave Gardens visit: www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate/Gardens/

The Red Kite Trail & Feeding Station

Between 2001 and 2005, 104 Red Kites were released into the Glenkens area of Dumfries and Galloway, since then their population has grown and they can often be seen gliding in skies. The Galloway Red Kite Trail gives birdwatchers and visitors the opportunity to see these graceful birds from various view points as well as offering various walking trails in beautiful scenery and information points along the way.

Two places on the trail which are well worth a visit are the Secret Cages where the first Red Kites were housed before their release and the Bellymack Farm Feeding Station, where at 2pm daily you can watch the spectacular display of the Red Kites being fed from a nearby hide.

For more information about the Galloway Red Kite Trail visit: www.gallowaykitetrail.com

Ken Dee Marshes (Bat Hide)

The Ken Dee Marshes, alongside the River Dee and Loch Ken provide a home for many migrating birds from Greenland white fronted and greylag geese during the winter to redstarts and pied flycatchers in the spring. The Marshes are also home to otters, herons, swans and bats which roost in one of the bird watching hides (you can actually hear them as the scuffle about inside the walls of the hide).

On site there is car parking at the entrance, a nature trail and two hides.

For more information about the Ken Dee Marshes reserve visit: www.rspb.org.uk/kendeemarshes/

Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park

The park has 27 acres of mixed woodland and is home to 150 animals from around the world which can be viewed in their peaceful natural enclosures.

The park which is under an hours drive away has car parking, a shop and small cafe on site as well as a picnic area. For more information visit: www.gallowaywildlife.org.uk

WWT Reserve at Caerlaverock

A spectacular 1,400 acre wild reserve on the north Solway coast.  During the winter months the reserve is home to thousands of wintering barnacle geese from Arctic Svalbard, pink footed geese and whooper swans. During the summer the reserve is visted by Ospreys which can be seen hunting over the solway. The reserve is also home to Barn Owls, Badgers, Bats, Natterjack toads and the rare tadpole shrimps to name just a few.

During the Winter months you can come watch the Whooper Swans be fed everyday at 11am and 2pm. Guided walks through the reserve take place daily

On site there is an observatory with views across the sea and reserve, a shop and cafe serving light lunches, homebaking and refreshments. There are also webcams set up for you to watch the Osprey nest during the summer in the visitor centre. Close to the reserve is Caerlaverock Castle a unique triangular shaped castle with a moat and fascinating history.

For more information about the WWT Reserve visit: www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/caerlaverock/