Galloway Forest Park

[Rob Jones]

Have any of you chaps any details of this forest? Specificaly where I could find Deer?

Many thanks

Rob

[zan]

I've not been, but the forestry commission have a bit of info on the forest. I think there's even a 'deer trail' to see the Red Deer in there. I'd give that a go first

[Rob Jones]

Originally Posted by zan

I've not been, but the forestry commission have a bit of info on the forest. I think there's even a 'deer trail' to see the Red Deer in there. I'd give that a go first

Thanks Zan. I've seen that but there's not a lot of info there and the forestry commision website is appalingly slow. thanks anyway~!

[wildmanofthewoods]

hi i used to live in a cottage right on the edge of the forest. (wish i was there right now). kirroughtree is good for Roe deer tho very early in the morning is best... search around the edges. there are grazing pastures between creetown & newton stewart generally anywhere in the area is good for Roe deer. i saw fallow too but not so often... the deer range is a bit of a let down as you can only get access on certain days. contact the local tourist information for a leaflet. if you get access it can be very good especially during the rut. viewing is very limited without access.. check out wood of cree also red & roe occur here, i often saw Otters here at the viewing area, just before dusk was best.. there is another forest but forgot the name just through minnigaff before the wood of cree, where roe, red & fallow could be seen. good luck..

[Rob Jones]

Thanks for that wildmanofthewoods. I've spent many a happy hour around the Newton Stewart area (Fishing) Seen an Otter on Loch Maberry in the past and Deer in that area also. Wasn't thinking of going that far east but may change my mind now.

[ChrisJB]

You also have the excellent Red Kite Trail around Laurieston (I think the place is called that anyway). I have also heard, the odd Golden Eagle can be seen from the Laurieston to Gatehouse of Fleet Road, but don't know the exact spot yet (still doing my homework on this one).

Regards, Chris

[wildmanofthewoods]

i agree with chris the red kite trail is definately worth a trip. if you do go, there's a small road that runs behind the small post office at mossdale, if you go down here there's a small paddock with a small herd of Red Deer. i know they're not wild but they're good for close ups. i had two years living in the area saw golden eagles twice, one was blown way of course by a storm and flew over my cottage. the other was a young bird being mobbed by a couple of ravens close to the deer range. one flash of its tallons and the ravens left ...nice.

[Rob Jones]

Looking forward to it already, thanks guys~!

[ron1863]

I just looked it up on the web and didn't realise that it is Britain's largest forest park.

[muldonach]

At the risk of raining on the parade the chances of you seeing wild Red Deer are pretty remote since despite the public image the FC have followed a policy of virtual eradication for many years.

Roe are plentiful in the area and fallow can be found and seen around Newton Stewart, more particularly around Cumloden

Put the wildfowl hide at wigtown harbour on your list

Cheers
mac