Gatehouse of fleet the gateway to a wildlife-rich Shore
Catehouse is a great place to begin a visit to research Galloway and its shore. It has many habitats available to search for diverse wildlife, and there are some fantastic walks in the region, so it’s not surprising that more and more people are beginning to visit the area.
JOHN MILES
- The A75 takes you from one end of Dumfries to Galloway. Here
It gives you opportunity to look over the Fleet with its many stations and marshland. Waders are a must here, especially in winter, together with many Curlew using the channels to nourish. Little Egrets are also possible, with large tide pushing sawbills hunting the fish. - A smallcar park either side of LCardoness Castle provides a beautiful walk across the canalled Fleet, withreedbeds, woodland and tidal water.
Listen out for Sedge Warblers inspring, with Reed Warbler uncommon in these parts. The two Blackcap and Garden Warbler are possible along with Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. - A large car park offers you the chance to walk into neighborhood woodland and on the Fleet Forest.
Here you’ll find a mixture of trees such as Oak, Beech, Elm and conifers. The river runs near by, using a massive lochan currently taken over by alder and plant. Watch out for Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. The Cally golf course runs around and through the woodland, providing openings to spot thrushes and wagtails feeding in the open. The Cally Loch offers Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen and a Combination of ducks. - Sandgreenis a spot to attempt Tfor more waders, as well as changing tides you will come across species like Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Ringed Plover. This coastline is quite impressive and wild, with lots of gorse and scrub, so look out for Raven, Buzzard as well as Red Kite.
- Out in the bay is found the Murray’s lsles, belong to the National Trust of Scotland.
Here breeding Cormorants, Oystercatchers and blended gulls are available in spring. Assess outwinter sailors and even grebes within this region.
PRACTICAL INFO POSTCODE DG7 2HU GRID REF: NX 603 563
MAPS: OS Explorer 312, OS Landranger 83
PARKING: Several parking places TERRAIN: A mixture of solid paths to rough coastal paths
ACCESS: Open all year FACILITIES: Everything you need in Gatehouse of Fleet
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
Use the open areas to scan for raptors and geese passing
TARGET BIRDS AUTUMN/WINTER
•Pink-footed Goose
•Grey Heron
•Red-breasted Merganser
•Fieldfare
•Redwing
•Brambling
•Red-throated Diver
•Great Crested Grebe
•Red Kite
•Sparrowhawk
SPRING/SUMMER
•Sedge Warbler
•Chiffchaff
•Willow Warbler
• Blackcap
•Wood Warbler
•Redstart
•Tree Pipit
•Nuthatch
•Treecreeper
•Buzzard
•Goshawk
