Help with places to go in Dumfries and Galloway

Nicola Main · #1 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 12:39 PM

We will be going down to Dumfries and Galloway for a holiday in the last of week of September/beginning of October and wondered if anyone knew of any key places to watch wildlife or any walks? We will be staying in a cottage near Loch Ken and I have a few places on the list already including the Bellymack Red Kite feeding station, Mersehead, and numerous places in the Forest Park, but does anyone know of any 'hidden gems' in the area? Thanks in advance

ChrisJB · #2 (**permalink**) 21-07-2009, 04:27 PM

Nicola, try grid ref' NX 650 650 on the Laurieston - Gatehouse of Fleet road (not that far from the kite feeding station). Golden Eagles can sometimes be seen from here. Pick a clear day and scan north, with a 'scope ideally. The birds are far ranging and it's a bit of a lottery, but worth a try.
Alternatively if you like dragonflies, try Silver Flowe, just NW of Clatteringshaws Loch for Azure Hawker.
Have a good time.

Regards, Chris

FUDGEY · #3 (**permalink**) 30-07-2009, 06:18 PM

Hi Nicola, I am actually from the area. What type of thing are you looking for?I know of a few beautiful locations. Is it birds, mammals or scenery you like best? Guarentees I can put u on to are red squirrels, grey seals & daytime badgers. Can also put you onto a few places wheteyou have a good chance of seeing some rare birds.

ron1863 · #4 (**permalink**) 30-07-2009, 06:22 PM

Nicola, look in the reference section of WAB under "Wild Places" I added a few places for Dumfries & Galloway and southern Scotland a while back.

Nicola Main · #5 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Thanks Ron will go and have a look

Fudgey, I'm interested in most things but I do particularly like birds and butterflies, moths and dragonflies. Would love to know where those day-time Badgers are

I should tell you however that I have a big fear of heights so some mountainous or coastal areas would be a no-no!

Thanks everyone for replying xxx

muldonach · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 02:01 PM

Mull of Galloway for seabirds although it is a fair drive from Loch Kenside, cliffs are normally well populated and there are peregrines to be seen as well. On a good day there will be a spotting scope available to view the Scaur Rocks offshore which have a good population of both Gannets and Seals.

Steep at the edges but plenty of flat ground in between.

Call at Monreith Animal World on the way back.

Observation hut at Wigtown Bay for waders, alternatively Caerlaverock.

Feral Goats and wild deer in the forest park but you will need to get well away from the normal paths, and it is possible to view both from the roadside.

Cheers
mac

northeast · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 04:18 AM

caerlaverock wildlife for birds nicola there is bird sancturay there, you can hide in and get some good pictures. loch lomond isnt as far as it looks, but would advise travelling up very early as glasgow can be nightmare at times traffic wise.
talkin tarn a69 towards newcastle off m6 jct43 in cumbria is prob about a hr and a bit from where your staying also great water park with cafe and watch the swans,ducks etc at leisure.great on a sunny day. dont forget good repellant although the midges should have died down by then, but they can still nip harshly. keilder is another nice drive or your not far from lakes either but im sure there is plenty for you to do where your staying. ask the hotel.

FUDGEY · #8 (**permalink**) 15-08-2009, 11:19 PM

Sorry for the late reply Nicola, let me know what species of birds you would particularly like to see & I'll get back to you on them. Regarding the badgers, they are on top of a pretty steep banking and you have to sit 5ft up a tree. Let me know if you could cope with this, if yes I would have to take yous to the sett myself as it's private land. A maximum of two others apart from me.