Look out for the Galloway wildlife
the Grey Mare's Tail near Moffat
Wigtown Bay
Wigtown Bay
Bellymack Farm
From the red squirrels in Dalbeattie Forest to the ospreys of Wigtown Bay, Dumfries & Galloway is full of opportunities to see a variety of animals.
Enjoy a perfect day in the great outdoors by visiting one of the region’s many wildlife spots. Stroll through the forest and look out for squirrels or gaze up above to see graceful birds fly overhead.
The unspoilt countryside of the region protects a wide range of rare and endangered species including a fifth of the Scottish population of red squirrels. Head deep into the Dalbeattie Forest to follow the waymarked Red Squirrel Walk and look out for the curious creatures bounding through the trees.
In the west of Dumfries & Galloway is Wigtown Bay, Britain’s largest local nature reserve. This beautiful nature spot attracts geese, swans, kestrel and buzzards to the saltmarsh and mudflats. This is a great place in the autumn, as you can stand and watch the huge numbers of migrant wading birds and wildfowl arriving. In the nearby town of Wigtown you can also watch live CCTV coverage of ospreys, who have been back in the region for a few years after an absence of over 100 years. Enjoy an unparalleled view of the ospreys sitting on their eggs and bringing up their young.
Take the Galloway Red Kite Trail near Loch Ken and Clatteringshaws Loch to get closer to the elusive red kite. The beautiful chestnut-red birds have been reintroduced to the area and you can now watch them fly high above the trees with their distinctive forked tails. Stop at a feeding station for a close-up view of the majestic birds as they swoop down for their food.
Visit the spectacular Grey Mare's Tail near Moffat where an invigorating walk up to the waterfall will reward you with glimpses of the lime-loving and Arctic-Alpine plants growing nearby. Marvel at Britain’s fifth highest waterfall as it cascades into the Moffat Water Valley.
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