Dumfries and Galloway (1 Viewer)

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Elizabeth Bigg

Addicted member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #1

I've never been there, and I am wondering if mid-June would be a good time to go? (Probably can't get away before then).

All comments welcome - thanks.

 

PaulAshton

Well-known member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #2

I've not spent time there, but I'm told its lovely and wild.

Not many eagles in the area though. If that is any interest. Should be plenty of othe wildlife and good scenery.

It's on my list of places to go. Are you going to write up a report of your trip?

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 12, 2004

• #3

I've never done it in the Summer, Elizabeth - winter being the best/traditional time to visit. But it's certainly a beautiful area.

 

Steve G

RAINBIRDER

• Jan 12, 2004

• #4

Well worth a visit at that time Elizabeth. There are numerous sites worth visiting. The local SOC group have in association with the RSPB & other agencies produced a free booklet which list over 40(+??) sites in the region which are worth visiting with instructions on access,etc. If you write to the RSPB reserve at Mersehead enclosing a large SAE I'm sure they would send you a copy. Failing that send me a PM with your address & I'll send one down.
Best wishes,
Steve

 

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tomreid24

Well-known member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #5

Hi Elizabeth,
In summer the area is is beautiful.I've mentioned the guides available in another thread the other day.The woods of cree near Newton Stewart is great for breeding passerines.The mull of galloway is a good place for the seabird colonies ,peregrine and there's often puffin in the sea.Forest enterprise have walks to see nightjar.There are lots of things to visit apart from birding.Also,up the road a bit at New Lanark (beside Lanark) there is the scottish wildlife trust reserve where breeding peregines are watched 24/7 and are only c.150feet away!

 

IanF

Moderator

• Jan 12, 2004

• #6

Certainly a marvellous scenic area. I have stayed in New Galloway, Newton Sewart and Dalmellington in the past. Loads of locations to visit. Clatteringshaws Loch on the A172 between New Galloway and Newton Stewart I recall has a visitors centre with details of forest drives and local wildlife and of course walks. Loch Ken and Loch Doon are easily accessible. I still have fond childhood memories of staying at Rockcliffe or Kipford where there was an island reachable by a causeway at low tise. It was a haven for birds.

 

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Elizabeth Bigg

Addicted member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #7

PaulAshton said:

I've not spent time there, but I'm told its lovely and wild.

Not many eagles in the area though. If that is any interest. Should be plenty of othe wildlife and good scenery.

It's on my list of places to go. Are you going to write up a report of your trip?

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Not sure about a write up, I don't know many birds other than ordinary garden ones. I'll have to do an awful lot of learning before I go, or try to eavesdrop on some knowledgeable birders.

 

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #8

VERY GOOD time & place for Barn Owls.....

We allways try a January visit to that area, huge variety of habitats & birds.
Red Kite, G.Eagle, Hen Harrier, R.LPartridge, Peregrine, White front Geese etc etc

S

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 12, 2004

• #9

I know Clatteringshaws is good for a couple of rare dragonflies - Highland Darter and Azure Hawker, I think.

 

digi-birder

Well-known member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #10

What a coincidence! I have been trying to sort out the accommodation for the Minsmere trip and Keith came in and said that he thinks we ought to go to Dumfries and Galloway for a weekend break, maybe at the end of January!

If we go I'll let you know how we get on.

 

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Elizabeth Bigg

Addicted member

• Jan 12, 2004

• #11

Thanks Diane - and I must sort out somewhere to stay for the Minsmere do too!

 

Kiki

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2004

• #12

Hi Diane,
If you are going to go to Dunmfries and Galloway, I could recommend a place to stay. We were there last year and going again in Feb. Huge, home cooked breakfasts, good evening meals using organic meats from local suppliers etc, good beer, B run by friendly people. Don't know if I should mention the name here so, check out the trip report from last year at:- http://www.homepages.mcb.net/wormwell/Solway Index.htm

Have a good time!

Keren

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 13, 2004

• #13

Kiki said:

Hi Diane,
If you are going to go to Dunmfries and Galloway, I could recommend a place to stay. We were there last year and going again in Feb. Huge, home cooked breakfasts, good evening meals using organic meats from local suppliers etc, good beer, B run by friendly people. Don't know if I should mention the name here so, check out the trip report from last year at:- http://www.homepages.mcb.net/wormwell/Solway Index.htm

Have a good time!

Keren

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Isn't it good to see communication between husband and wife! I've just done all that in a Private Message to Diane, Keren!

 

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Elizabeth Bigg

Addicted member

• Jan 13, 2004

• #14

CJW said:

Isn't it good to see communication between husband and wife! I've just done all that in a Private Message to Diane, Keren!

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But you didn't PM me - so I was pleased to see Keren's post!

 

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mcdowella

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #15

Can't say much about the bird life, because I wasn't birdwatching when I was there a few years ago, but I can recommend Wigtown book town (the main street is full of second hand bookshops - see http://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk/booktown_bookshops.asp) and Logan Botanic Gardens.

 

digi-birder

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #16

Thanks Kiki and CJ - don't fall out now!

Thanks also mcdowella for the link to the bookshop, although once I get in there I may not get much birding done!

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 14, 2004

• #17

digi-birder said:

Thanks Kiki and CJ - don't fall out now!

Thanks also mcdowella for the link to the bookshop, although once I get in there I may not get much birding done!

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Too late Diane! But they tell me my wounds should be healed enough to allow me back out in public in a month or so......

 

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Elizabeth Bigg

Addicted member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #18

CJW said:

Too late Diane! But they tell me my wounds should be healed enough to allow me back out in public in a month or so......

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You got off lightly then, CJ!

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #19

CJW said:

Too late Diane! But they tell me my wounds should be healed enough to allow me back out in public in a month or so......

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Just how long have you been married?

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #20

digi-birder said:

Thanks Kiki and CJ - don't fall out now!

Thanks also mcdowella for the link to the bookshop, although once I get in there I may not get much birding done!

Click to expand...

You should consider Hay-on-Wye in Wales for books. 35 second hand bookshops and the food in the Old Black Lion is excellent.