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Wigtown Bird Hide

Dumfries and Galloway  >  United Kingdom

Bird hide on the outskirts of Wigtown, near Wigtown Harbour. It overlooks Wigtown Bay and the Galloway Hills, the River Baldoon and marshy lagoons.

Ajouté* par Monica Riden
Dernière actualisation 30 décembre 2023

Description

The Wigtown Bird Hide gives views over a range of habitats: river estuary, coastal, salt marsh, distant mountains, freshwater lagoons fringed by shrubs and trees. It is a beautiful location. There is always something to see and hear, whatever the season. Cygne chanteur, Bernache nonnette and Oie à bec court winter here, having migrated from Iceland and Svalbard. They join the resident Oie cendrée and Bernache du Canada. There are also many species of ducks: Sarcelle d'hiver, Canard siffleur, Tadorne de Belon, Canard souchet, Canard pilet, Canard chipeau and Canard colvert.

In the estuary, lagoons and salt marsh areas these birds have been observed: Huîtrier pie, Chevalier gambette, Chevalier aboyeur, Cygne tuberculé, Aigrette garzette, Courlis cendré, Bécassine des marais, Vanneau huppé, Râle d'eau, Busard des roseaux, Busard Saint-Martin, Faucon crécerelle, Faucon émerillon, Faucon pèlerin, Milan royal, Buse variable and Épervier d'Europe. It is a very good location for observing raptors.

Smaller birds can be heard and seen in the shrubbery nearby, especially in Spring. For example Mésange bleue, Mésange charbonnière and Bruant des roseaux. In and near the the harbour area Pouillot fitis, Pouillot véloce, Fauvette grisette, Phragmite des joncs, Alouette des champs and Grive musicienne sing in Springtime. In Autumn Grive mauvis and Grive litorne are seen in shrubbery, raiding the berries.

Détails

Accès

Drive along the A75 which takes you westwards in Dumfries and Galloway. At the roundabout outside Newton Stewart, turn left and Wigtown is 6 miles along the road. The bird hide is on the outskirts of Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town (well worth a visit for all the lovely book shops, fascinating shops and cafes). This is a small and pretty town with population of less than 1,000. People are outnumbered by birds many times over! You can drive to Wigtown Harbour where there is plenty of parking and follow the footpath to the bird hide. Beware of high tides if parking there. Click on the P in the map for directions.

Or you can walk easily from the town. It's about a mile of a delightful walk. The 'Martyrs' Path Walk' will take you along an interesting route of a disused railway line, then walk down a country lane to the harbour and hide. Or you can walk down Harbour Road, at the side of the impressive County Buildings. This then joins the short country lane walk to the harbour and bird hide. Wigtown is also on the Kirkpatrick C2C, a coast to coast cycle route from Stranraer to Eyemouth. There is a bunk house and very good B&B accommodation in the area plus cottages to rent. Bike or car will give you the best options for exploring Wigtown and the wider area of the Machars coastline and Galloway Hills.

Terrain et Habitat

Zone humide , Vasières , Agriculture , Montagnes , Arbres et buissons disséminés , Prairie , Rivière , Mer/océan , Roselière , Ville/village

Conditions

Plat , Marécageux , Paysage ouvert , Niveau d'eau élevé probable

Boucle

Oui

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Hiver , Migration printanière , Printemps , Migration automnale

Itinéraire

Route pavée , Sentier large , Route non pavée

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Facile

Accessible via

A pied , Vélo , Voiture , Fauteuil roulant

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Oui

Liens

Voir les sites d'observation voisins publiés sur Birdingplaces

Carte

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