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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. Sangsvane, Hvitkinngås and Kortnebbgås winter here, having migrated from Iceland and Svalbard. They join the resident Grågås and Kanadagås. There are also many species of ducks: Krikkand, Brunnakke, Gravand, Skjeand, Stjertand, Snadderand and Stokkand.
In the estuary, lagoons and salt marsh areas these birds have been observed: Tjeld, Rødstilk, Gluttsnipe, Knoppsvane, Silkehegre, Storspove, Enkeltbekkasin, Vipe, Vannrikse, Sivhauk, Myrhauk, Tårnfalk, Dvergfalk, Vandrefalk, Glente, Musvåk and Spurvehauk. 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 Blåmeis, Kjøttmeis and Sivspurv. In and near the the harbour area Løvsanger, Gransanger, Tornsanger, Sivsanger, Sanglerke and Måltrost sing in Springtime. In Autumn Rødvingetrost and Gråtrost are seen in shrubbery, raiding the berries.
Details
Access
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.