WWT Caerlaverock
Updated 6 October 2026
What birds can you see at WWT Caerlaverock?
Spring (March to May)
Geese and swans leave for the north in spring. Ospreys return and can be seen from the reserve through spring and summer. Natterjack toads breed here, at their most northerly site in the UK.
Summer (June to August)
It is the quiet season for birds. Skylarks sing over the merse, swallows and house martins nest around the farm buildings, and the Walk on the Wild Side meadow trail opens from May to August for orchids, butterflies and dragonflies.
Autumn (September to November)
Barnacle geese arrive from Svalbard, followed by whooper swans from Iceland, and pink-footed geese pass through. Ducks build up on the ponds: wigeon, teal and shoveler. Waders gather on the merse on big tides.
Winter (December to February)
The whole Svalbard barnacle goose population winters on the Solway. It has recovered from a few hundred birds in the 1940s to tens of thousands. Up to 200 whooper swans come to the feed. Scan the merse for hen harriers, peregrines and barn owls, and the ponds for scaup among the tufted ducks.
WWT Caerlaverock recent sightings: where to check
Most people searching for Caerlaverock sightings want today's birds. We do not have a live feed for the reserve. These sources are updated by people on the ground:
- WWT Caerlaverock news: the official blog, with seasonal round-ups, goose arrival news and opening changes.
- WWT Caerlaverock wildlife page: what to expect in each season, from the reserve team.
- eBird hotspot map: zoom to the Solway south of Dumfries and open the Caerlaverock hotspot for recent checklists.
- BirdGuides: national bird news. Some details are for subscribers only.
Our own tools: the sightings map shows what our users have logged nearby, you can log a sighting in under a minute, and species alerts in the app flag birds on your list.
Best time to visit WWT Caerlaverock
Visit between November and March for geese and swans. The swan feed at the Sir Peter Scott Observatory runs from October to March. It is held in daylight, not under floodlights, and the time is posted by WWT. WWT suggests the Glengoyne Hide for barnacle geese in the morning. Tide matters for waders: the Saltcot Merse Observatory is best at high tide, when birds are pushed up the saltmarsh. Note the opening days. From 29 September 2026 the centre is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm, with last entry at 3.30pm.
Hides, trails and viewpoints
WWT says Caerlaverock has the best selection of hides of any Scottish nature reserve.
- Sir Peter Scott Observatory is about 150 metres from the visitor centre, with picture windows on to the Whooper Pond and a lift to the tower. This is where the swan feed happens.
- Farmhouse Tower has three storeys and a view over all 1,400 acres. Good for whooper swans coming in to roost.
- Avenue Tower is at the eastern end, for ducks, waders and barnacle geese.
- Saltcot Merse Observatory is about half a mile out, looking south over the Solway. Go for waders at high tide and for hunting hen harriers, marsh harriers and peregrines.
- Folly Pond Hide is a low log hide with close views of ducks and waders.
- Campbell Hide and Glengoyne Hide overlook the flood ground and Corner Field.
- Sir Peter Scott Trail: a short wet woodland walk with the Newfield and Back Pond hides. Back Pond is the kingfisher spot.
Getting there and facilities
The centre is at Eastpark Farm (DG1 4RS). Follow the tourist signs from the A75 west of Annan or from St Michael's church in Dumfries, the nearest town. The Stagecoach 6A bus from Dumfries takes around 30 minutes and leaves a walk of about a mile along a country lane. The reserve is on National Cycle Route 7.
Facilities are limited at present. WWT's visit page says the cafe and shop are not operating, with tea, coffee and water available for a donation, so bring food. Dogs are not allowed, apart from trained assistance dogs. The centre is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Entry is free for WWT members, under-3s and carers. Others pay £5 per adult with Gift Aid (£4.50 without), £3.50 per junior aged 3 to 17 and £15 for a family of four. You can pay on arrival or book online. Prices were checked on 6 October 2026, but check the official WWT Caerlaverock site before you travel.
What to bring
Bring a scope for the merse, where geese and raptors are often distant. Our spotting scope guide covers the options. Binoculars are fine at the swan feed: see our binoculars guide.
Nearby places to bird
- Scotland birding guide: Speyside, the Hebrides and Shetland.
- Islay: Greenland barnacle and white-fronted geese from October.
- RSPB Leighton Moss: down the M6 on Morecambe Bay, for bitterns and bearded tits.
- Winter wildfowl guide: geese, swans and ducks around the UK.
WWT Caerlaverock FAQ
When do the barnacle geese arrive at Caerlaverock?
In autumn. Flocks arrive from Svalbard during October, and by November the merse is full. They stay on the Solway until spring.
Is the Caerlaverock swan feed floodlit?
No. The swan feed at the Sir Peter Scott Observatory is held in daylight. It runs from October to March, and up to 200 whooper swans attend. Check the feed time and opening days with WWT before you travel.
Do you need to book WWT Caerlaverock?
No. You can pay at admissions on the day, though WWT says booking online saves time. From 29 September 2026 the centre is open Tuesday to Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays.
How much is entry to WWT Caerlaverock?
Adults pay £5 with Gift Aid or £4.50 without, juniors aged 3 to 17 pay £3.50, and a family of four pays £15. WWT members, under-3s and carers go free. Prices were checked on 6 October 2026.