Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve

Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve lies on the Solway Firth south of Dumfries, between the River Nith and Lochar Water. It covers 82 square kilometres of mudflats, sandbanks, merse, marshes and neutral grassland. The Duke of Norfolk helped create the reserve in 1957. NatureScot now manages the site under private ownership, with Crown Estate Scotland holding much of the intertidal land. Management balances fishing, wildfowling and farming with wildlife needs. The reserve hosts internationally important numbers of waterfowl and wading birds. Nearly all the world’s Svalbard barnacle geese winter here, with around 38,000 birds. More than 140,000 waders such as pink-footed geese, teals and dunlins gather in winter. In summer about forty-five to fifty bird species breed, including shelducks and curlews. The UK’s most northerly natterjack toads live in shallow pools on the landward side. The site forms part of the Upper Solway Flats and Marshes Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area. Visitors find two car parks and several paths across the reserve. The paths connect to WWT Caerlaverock, a Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centre next door. They also lead to Caerlaverock Castle, managed by Historic Environment Scotland. The network lets walkers explore mudflats, marshes and grasslands at low tide. Views stretch across the wide Solway Firth to the hills of Cumbria. The reserve’s quiet lanes and hides suit birdwatchers and photographers alike.