Week 3: 12th - 18th April 2013

Fish Up Close - Wigtown

Friday 12th April, 11am – 12.30pm.

A guided tour of Galloway Fisheries Trust hatchery, giving a close up view of wild salmon before they are released into their native river. Other species that may also be on show include sparling, pike, perch, lamprey, roach and salmon smolts. To finish there will be a tour of Torhouse Trout, a fully operational rainbow trout farm that is situated within the same site.

Cost: Voluntary donation
Meet: Torhouse Trout Farm car park, NX399554
Further information and booking (essential): Galloway Fisheries Trust 01671 403011 mail@gallowayfisheriestrust.org www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org

Family Fun Friday - Southwick

Friday 12th April, 11am - 4pm

A return of our popular Family Fun Day. Treasure trails, beach art competition, pond dipping and more. Have fun with nature at RSPB Mersehead.

Meet: Mersehead RSPB Reserve DG2 8AH
Further information: RSPB 01387 780579 or mersehead@rspb.org.uk

The Spring Night Sky - Dalmellington

Friday 12th April, 9pm – 11pm

See the spectacular spring night sky at the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, situated at the edge of the Galloway Forest Park in Craigengillan Estate, Ayrshire. The events will include a talk on what is happening in the skies at springtime followed by a tour of the Observatory and a look through the telescopes – to see what there is to see in the skies! (Please note that the telescopes can only be used for viewing when we have clear skies)

Cost: £10/£8 concessions, Max 30 people per event
Meet: Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington, Ayrshire, KA6 7PZ.
Further information and booking: 01292 551118 www.scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk.

Pond Dipping - Castle Kennedy

Friday 12th April, 11am – 12:30pm

Discover the many weird and wonderful creatures who live in the pond at Castle Kennedy Gardens. Join Elizabeth Tindal of Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service to explore life in and around the Castle Kennedy Garden ponds. Why not enjoy lunch in our tearoom and stay on to explore the 75 acres of garden, or join Elizabeth for her afternoon session ‘The Mini Beast Bug Hunt’ at 2pm.

Meet: Castle Kennedy Gardens
Further information: 01581 4002255 www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk

Walk on the Wildside - Wigtown

Friday 12th April, 12pm - 2pm

Catch the tide with the Warden for an informative walk through the reserve. Learn about the resident wildlife and our ongoing conservation work. Bring binoculars and walking boots

Cost: RSPB members £1; non-members £2
Meet: Crook of Baldoon. RSPB Reserve, Shore Road. NX445530
Further information and booking (essential): RSPB 01988 402130 Paul.Tarling@rspb.org.uk

Mini Beast Bug Hunt - Castle Kennedy

Friday 12th April, 2pm – 3:30pm

Explore the fascinating bug life at Castle Kennedy Gardens and learn all about these wonderful creatures who make the garden their home. Led by Elizabeth Tindal of Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service. Why not come early and explore the 75 acres of garden, enjoy lunch in our tearoom, or join Elizabeth for her morning session ‘Pond Dipping’ at 11am.

Meet: Castle Kennedy Gardens
Further information: 01581 4002255 www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk

Guided Woodland Wander - Glentrool

Friday 12th April, 2pm – 3.30pm

Join our Ranger for a gentle stroll through the woods at Glentrool looking for signs of wildlife as we go.

Cost: £3 per person
Meet: Glentrool, Galloway Forest Park NX731786
Further information and booking (essential): Forestry Commission Scotland 01671 402420. Payment required on booking.

Reptile Ramble - New Abbey

Saturday 13th April, 10.00am - 12.30pm

Join DGERC and Scottish Natural Heritage staff for a walk around Kirkconnell Flow National Nature Reserve looking for some of Dumfries & Galloway's most shy and elusive animals.

Cost: Voluntary donation
Meet: Kirkconnell Flow NNR car park NX963701, signposted from the A710 Dumfries - New Abbey road. The 372 bus runs from Dumfries.
Further information and booking (essential): DGERC 01387 760274 or book online at http://reptileramble2013.eventbrite.com

Ness Glen Guided Walks - Dalmellington

Saturday 13th April

Guided walks through the marvellous Ness Glen river gorge, with its amazing cliffs, trees, mosses and ferns. For all ages, subject to ability.

Cost: £10 per person
Meet: Craigengillan Estate, by Dalmellington, Ayrshire, KA6 7PZ,
Further information and booking (essential): Craigengillan Estate 01292 551818 www.craigengillan.com

Nature Detectives Part 1 - Thornhill

Saturday 13th April, 3pm – 5pm

Join the Ranger Service to learn of the different survey methods that let us see what animals are using the woodlands as their home?

Cost: Entry to country estate.
Meet: Reception, Drumlanrig Country Estate NX 851 993
Further information and booking (essential): Buccleuch Ranger Service 01848 331555

Morning round with the Warden - Caerlaverock

Sunday 14th April, 8am -10am

Join the reserve warden on his morning rounds. A behind the scenes look at his daily routine, checking the reserve to see what’s around and feeding the birds.

Cost: normal admission rates apply, WWT members free.
Meet: WWT Caerlaverock Wetlands Centre.
Further information: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200.

Mammals at Earshaigs - Beattock

Sunday 14th April, 10am to 12noon.

Meet at Earshaigs car park NT050 024 on the Crooked Road out of Beattock.

A chance to learn something about the mammals that frequent the Earshaigs lochans area and look for their tracks and signs. Involves short walk (2km) over uneven ground and boardwalk. Boots or sturdy footwear and waterproofs essential.

Further information and booking (essential): Andy Riches 07792 142446 slioch69@aol.com.

Crook of Baldoon Open Day - Wigtown

Sunday 14th April, 10am - 3pm

Learn about the resident wildlife and our ongoing conservation work on this new reserve. There will be a small exhibition of local voluntary and conservation groups. Bring binoculars and walking boots.

Cost: Free
Meet: RSPB Crook of Baldoon, Shore Road, DG8 9AF
Further information: RSPB 01988 445530 paul.tarling@rspb.org.uk

Wild Wetlands - Castle Douglas

Sunday 14th April, 11am - 4pm

Come along and join the National Trust for Scotland rangers and volunteers for a closer look at the wildlife that thrives on our wild wetlands. If all goes well our ospreys should have returned from spending the winter in Africa and be back on their nest on the reserve. Join us to welcome the birds back and spend a lovely day on the reserve.

Cost: Voluntary donation
Meet: Threave Castle car park, Kelton Mains Farm
Further information: NTS Ranger Service 01556 503702.

Treasure Hunt on Horseback - Dalmellington

Sunday 14th April, 1pm – 2.30pm

Follow the clues through the magical landscape of Craigengillan. Will suit all ages and abilities.

Cost: £20 per person
Meet: Craigengillan Estate, by Dalmellington, Ayrshire, KA6 7PZ,
Further information and booking (essential): Craigengillan Estate 01292 550594 www.craigengillan.com

Nature Station - New Cumnock

Sun 14th April, 2pm - 4pm

Join the East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers on a walk from the New Cumnock Railway Station walking on Core paths to Knockshinnoch Lagoons SWT reserve. The coal shale bing is a unique habitat with a wide range of wildlife calling it home. Take part in some nature activities and enjoy one of Ayrshire’s best reserves.

Meet: New Cumnock Railway Station
Further information: East Ayrshire Ranger Service: 01563 554734 Rangers@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

Spring at Eskrigg - Lockerbie

Sunday 14th April, 2pm – 4pm.

Discover spring wildlife on a guided walk at Eskrigg Nature Reserve.

Cost: Voluntary donation.
Meet: Eskrigg Nature Reserve, Lockerbie NY125803
Further information and booking (essential): Jim Rae. Lockerbie Wildlife Trust 0773 9987009

Nature Detectives Part 2 - Thornhill

Sunday 14th April, 3pm – 5pm

This is the second half to this activity to investigate what signs have been left for us to discover from the nights activities in the woodlands.