Week 1: 29th March - 4th April 2013
Wild Flowers - Port Logan
Daily from 15th March to 31st May, 10am - 5pm
Come see the world of wildflowers at Logan Botanic Garden! Logan Botanic Garden is hosting the Muddy Feet exhibition, "The Hidden Meadow" which explores the role of wildflowers in science, art and well being over the ages in Galloway and wider Scotland.
Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden, NX095424
Further information: Richard Baines 01776 860231
Frog Trail - Stranraer
Daily from 29th March to 14th April, 10am
Throughout the holidays a frog trail organised by the Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Service will be hopping throughout Stranraer Museum, just remember that the hidden frogs might be disguised as frog spawn and tadpoles as well as frogs. The museum is open and free to visit throughout the holidays.
Cost: Free
Meet: Stranraer Museum, George Street DG9 7JP.
Further information: 01776 705088.
Fish Tails - Kirkcudbright
Daily from 29th March to 14th April, 11am
Kirkcudbright is known for its harbour and fishing boats so throughout the holidays Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Service will be hiding fish at Kirkcudbright Museum. Can you spot their tails as they disappear out of sight? The museum is open and free to visit throughout the holidays.
Meet: Kirkcudbright Museum, St. Mary Street DG6 4AG.
Further information: 01557 331643
Good Friday Walk - Wigtown
Friday 29th March, 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 NX445530
Further information and booking (essential): Paul Tarling 01988 402130 paul.tarling@rspb.org.uk
Easter Family Cycle Treasure Hunt - Ae
Friday, 29th March. Start anytime between 1pm and 2pm
Challenge yourself to our self-guided Easter treasure hunt, following the 7stanes bike trail through the beautiful Ae Valley (easy grade trail suitable for beginners). Own bike and helmet required. Tasty prizes for everyone who finishes.
Cost: Free
Meet: Meet at Ae Café and Bike Shop, Ae Forest NX984894.
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland 01387 860247
Easter Egg Hunt at Gallowhill - Stranraer
Saturday 30th March, 2pm – 3pm
How many eggs will you spot on this fun family trail? Don’t forget to bring along your decorated hard-boiled egg for the best decorated egg and the egg rolling competition at 3pm.
Cost: £2 per child
Meet: Gallowhill, Stranraer NX041602
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland 01671 402420 www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark.
Easter Egg Extravaganza - Port Logan
Sunday 31st March, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Come along for a fun day out on Easter Sunday. A range of activities for children including face painting, painting your own egg and the magical Easter Egg hunt!
Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden NX095424
Further information: Richard Baines 01776 860231
Treasure Hunt on Horseback - Dalmellington
Sunday 31st March, 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
Dalmellington Spring Biosphere Event
Sunday 31st March, 2pm - 4pm
Join the East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers on Nature activities for all the family, enjoying the natural and cultural Spring highlights of this historic town.
Cost: Free
Meet: Dalmellington Area Centre
Further information: East Ayrshire Ranger Service: 01563 554743 Rangers@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Watson Birds Egg and Nest Eggstravaganza - St John’s Town of Dalry
Saturday 30th March, 10am - 9pm
Watson Birds is holding a day of Easter egg and nest events for all the family. This will include an art exhibition on eggs and nests, a lecture by Prof. Mike Hansell on nest building in birds, children’s art activities and an evening concert or bird music including performances with members of the Feral Choir and readings by Tom Pow.
Cost: Free
Meet: Town Hall, Main Street, St John’s Town of Dalry
Further information: See www.watsonbirds.org or email sarah@watsonbirds.org
Easter Fun at Kirroughtree - Newton Stewart
Sunday 31st March. Start anytime between 1pm and 3pm
Lots of seasonal fun to be had at Kirroughtree. Don’t forget to bring along your decorated hardboiled egg for the best decorated egg and egg rolling competition at 3pm.
Cost: £3 per child.
Meet: Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, Galloway Forest Park NX452646
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland 01671 402420.
Sunset on the Solway - Southwick
Saturday 30th March, 7pm - 9pm
Join us for a guided walk to discover evening wildlife. Bring your own torch.
Cost: RSPB members free, non-members £2 adults & £1 children
Meet: Mersehead RSPB Reserve DG2 8AH
Further information and booking (essential): RSPB 01387 780579 or mersehead@rspb.org.uk
Easter Scavenger Hunt - Southwick
Sunday 31st March, 11am - 4pm
Explore the Reserve, take part in a fun family activity and you might even win a prize!
Cost: Free
Meet: Mersehead RSPB Reserve DG2 8AH
Further information and booking (essential): RSPB 01387 780579 or mersehead@rspb.org.uk
Stars and Stripes Badger Watching - Caerlaverock
Nightly from Monday 1st April to Sunday 14th April, 8pm start.
Watch wild Badgers feeding just outside our comfortable observatory. Fair-trade tea and coffee available.
Cost: Adults £7.50, Concs. £5, Children £2.50. Refreshments included.
Further information and booking (essential): Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200. Tickets must be paid for in advance.
Explore a Tropical Shore - Southerness
Monday 1st April 9.30am – 12noon
Go on a short Coastal Ranger led walk to discover rocky shore wildlife near Southerness and find fossils which reveal our tropical past. Distance 3 km.
Cost: Free
Meet: Powillimount car park NX989564.
Further information and booking (essential): Making the Most of the Coast 01387 251991.
Red Deer in Spring - New Galloway
Daily from Monday 1st April to Wednesday 3rd April, 10am start
Catch up with our Forest Park Ranger in the hide and discover more about Scotland's largest land mammal.
Cost: Free
Meet: Red Deer Range hide, Queens Way, NX521731.
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland 01671 402420 www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark.
Easter Family Treasure Hunt and Egg Rolling Competition - New Abbey
Monday, 1st April. Activities running all afternoon between 12noon and 3pm
A fun afternoon of traditional Easter activities for all the family to enjoy. Solve the wild treasure hunt, bring a painted egg for the rolling competition – and win tasty prizes! Why not bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful surroundings of Mabie Forest?
Meet: Mabie Forest NX9371. Activities are signposted from the main car park.
Further information: Forestry Commission Scotland 01387 860247
Don’t be an April Fool!
Don’t be an April Fool and miss this event! Dumfries & Galloway Council rangers will be using their facebook and twitter accounts to let you know what is happening so follow Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service to see our jokes and find out clues. QR code below or follow DGCRangers www.facebook.com/DGCRangers or https://twitter.com/DGCRangers.
Explore a Cracking Shore - Rockcliffe
Tuesday 2nd April 10am – 1pm
Go on a Coastal Ranger led walk to discover rocky shore wildlife at Rockcliffe and find evidence of ancient earthquakes. Distance 4 km.
Cost: Free
Meet: Main Rockcliffe car park NX852535.
Further information and booking (essential): Making the Most of the Coast 01387 251991
Camouflage and Patterns - Stranraer
Tuesday 2nd April, 11am - 12.30pm
Join Countryside Ranger, Elizabeth Tindal, in Stranraer Museum for crafts and activities related to camouflage and patterns in the natural world.
Cost: Free
Meet: Stranraer Museum, George Street DG9 7JP.
Further information and booking (essential): 01776 705088.
Barclye Past and Present - Newton Stewart
Tuesday 2nd April, 11am - 1pm
A walk through time at the Wood of Cree/Barclye. From the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution in 2 hours.
Cost: RSPB members free, non-members £2 adults, £1 children
Meet: Wood of Cree (Barclye) RSPB Reserve car park DG8 6SN
Further information and booking (essential): RSPB 01988 402130 crystal.maw@rspb.org.uk
Mull of Galloway Guided Walk - Drummore
Tuesday 2nd April, 1pm start
Join us for a guided walk around the Mull of Galloway looking at the diverse flora and wildlife of the reserve. There will be opportunities to view the seabirds, some of which will be nesting, and to look for harbour porpoise. Bring binoculars if you have them, suitable clothing and stout footwear.
Cost: RSPB members £1, non-members £2
Meet: Mull of Galloway RSPB Visitor Centre, Lighthouse, Drummore, Stranraer, DG99HP
Further information: RSPB 01988 402130 andrew.bielinski@rspb.org.uk
Water Wonders - Lockerbie
Tuesday 2nd April, 2pm – 4pm.
Enjoy pond-dipping with the family at Eskrigg Nature Reserve.
Cost: £2 per person, LWT members £1
Meet: Eskrigg Nature Reserve, Lockerbie NY125803
Further information and booking (essential): Jim Rae. Lockerbie Wildlife Trust 0773 9987009
Fintastic Tales – the Atlantic salmon’s amazing life! - Auldgirth
Wednesday 3rd April, 10am - 12noon
Come and see a wild salmon hatchery where you will learn all about the amazing life of salmon and sea trout and why they are important to our rivers, as well as see thousands of salmon fry feeding in the hatchery. After visiting the hatchery, join us on a field trip where a surveying technique called electrofishing will be demonstrated. You will get to see first-hand the diversity of fish found in our local burns, learn about their role in the food web, their preferred habitats and how the Nith Fishery Management Team works together to help conserve, protect and ensure the diversity of our native fish species. Bring outdoor clothes and wellies.
Cost: Free event but donations to the Trust are welcome.
Meet: Auldgirth Inn car park, Auldgirth DG2 0XG
Further Information and booking (essential): Nith Catchment Fishery Trust, 01387 740043 trust@river-nith.com Please note that a minimum number is required to run this event.
April at Aldouran - Leswalt
Wednesday 3rd April, 10am – 4pm
Walk aroundAldouranWetlandGardenand adjacent Aldouran Glen (owned by the Woodland Trust). Enjoy pond dipping, bird and plant ‘Treasure Hunts’, local photography competition etc. Guides will be on hand. Sturdy shoes are advisable. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
TheWetlandGardenand bird hide are accessible for the disabled.
Soup, sandwiches, drinks, home baking and toilet facilities will be available all day in Leswalt Memorial Hall.
Cost: Voluntary donations to Leswalt Community Association on the day
Meet: Leswalt Memorial Hall (Blue Badge holders will be redirected from here)
Further information: Contact Jane Sloan on 01776870648 or 07919798399 or j.sloan648@btinternet.com www.leswaltwetlandgarden.org.uk
Explore a Remarkable Shore - Borgue
Wednesday 3rd April, 11am – 1.30pm
Go on a short Coastal Ranger led walk to discover rocky shore wildlife at Brighouse Bay and find out why this beach is so special. Distance 2 km.
Cost: Free
Meet: Brighouse Bay car park NX635457.
Further information and booking (essential): Making the Most of the Coast 01387 251991
Wild Wednesday - Southwick
Wednesday 3rd April 12pm - 1pm and 1pm - 2pm
A return of our popular family event with two themed workshops in the day focusing on different aspects of nature.
Cost: Free
Meet: Mersehead RSPB Reserve, DG2 8AH
Further information & booking (essential): RSPB 01387 780579 or mersehead@rspb.org.uk
Meet the Migrants - Wigtown
Wednesday 3rd April, from 3pm to 4pm
This is a great opportunity for wildlife watching and a bit of a chat. There will be binoculars and a telescope as well as someone who knows what they are looking for, waiting to meet you and tell you a bit about the area and its wildlife.
Meet: Wigtown harbour hide, NX438548
Further information: Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Service, 07702 212728.
Guide in the Hide - Caerlaverock
Wednesday 3rd April.
An expert will be in the Peter Scott Observatory to point out the different birds on display.
Cost: Normal admission charges apply, WWT members free.
Further information: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200.
Trek to the Secret Cages - Mossdale
Thursday 4th April, 9:45am - 1 pm
A 5km walk from Mossdale to the Secret Cages where Red Kites were reared and released, taking in views and wildlife along the old railway line and the Raiders Road and returning via Mossdale Loch, with a scavenger hunt for children Please bring waterproofs, stout footwear and binoculars if you have them.
Cost: Voluntary donation
Meet: Mossdale, DG7 2NF
Further information & booking (essential): Calum Murray 01556 670464 calum.murray@rspb.org.uk
Machinery and Mud - Southwick
Thursday 4th April, 11am - 1pm
Guided walk to find out how important machinery and mud is to the management of the Mersehead reserve. Wear wellies and waterproofs. This walk will cover uneven terrain and therefore might not be suitable for everyone.
Cost: RSPB members free; non-members £2 adults, £1 children
Meet: Mersehead, DG2 8AH
Further information and booking (essential): 01387 780579 or mersehead@rspb.org.uk
What Wildlife? - Castle Douglas
Thursday 4th April, 11am – 12.30pm
Explore the park looking for wildlife. They don’t want us to see them so they will probably be hiding and might even run away but who knows what we will find?
Cost: Free
Meet: Ranger’s vehicle, Lochside Park, Castle Douglas
Further information: Dumfries and Galloway Ranger Service 07702 212728.
Explore a dynamic shore - Monreith
Thursday 4th April 12noon – 2.30pm
Go on a short Coastal Ranger led walk to discover rocky shore wildlife at Monreith and find out about crumpled cliffs and shifting sands. Distance 3 km.
Cost: Free
Meet: Back Bay car park NX365395.
Further information and booking (essential): Making the Most of the Coast 01387 251991
Mull of Galloway Guided Walk - Drummore
Thursday 4th April, 1pm start
Join us for a guided walk around the Mull of Galloway looking at the diverse flora and wildlife of the reserve. There will be opportunities to view the seabirds, some of which will be nesting, and to look for harbour porpoise. Bring binoculars if you have them, suitable clothing and stout footwear.
Cost: RSPB members £1, non-members £2
Meet: Mull of Galloway RSPB Visitor Centre, Lighthouse, Drummore, Stranraer, DG99HP
Further information: RSPB 01988 402130 andrew.bielinski@rspb.org.uk
Bugs and Beasties! - Port Logan
Thursday 4th April 2pm – 3.30pm
Come along and join in the famous Logan bug hunt then make a bug house to take away.
Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11
Meet: Logan Botanic Garden NX095424
Further information: Richard Baines 01776 860231
