Deer Range Diaries

Deer Range tours have now started for the season at the Red Deer Range. The stags antlers are growing at an amazing rate and we are getting great sightings of some of the wee calves who were born early June and are VERY CUTE!

I've attached a couple of photos of one of last years calves but a picture is not as much fun as actually seeing these youngsters for yourself and a Deer Range tour is great for that.

There is a tour next Tuesday and Thursday 11am, then daily - Sundays to Thursdays (11am) from the 3rd July.

Visit our website for more information Galloway Forest Park Red Deer Range

Have a good weekend

Yogi

Home Tweet Home

The swallows at Glentrool have babies!!!

We are not sure how many chicks there are or when they hatched, but we definitely saw a little beak that popped over the top of the nest when I was at the visitor centre today.

Barbara and Shona at the centre said that the parent birds have been back and forth a lot of late, probably with food for the little ones!

Still no pictures of swallows to post yet I'm afraid.

Yogi

Home Tweet Home 2011

Our Swallows have returned to Glentrool visitor centre again this year and have been busily preparing their new home to raise a family. We would love to bring you live footage from the little camera outside streamed to the TV inside the centre, but guess where they have built their nest this year?!!

....That's right, on the little camera!! (we've decided that they have become camera shy!)

I will try and get a couple of photos of their new home and post them here shortly, along with progress of the growing family!

Y

Deer Range Diaries

Newly born Calf!

Yes you read it right, our first 2011 red deer calf has been born at the range. Both mum and calf are doing brilliantly. This is a very early arrival as the calves are not generally born until early June.

Which means our 3 native species in Galloway will be having, or about to be having, their calves too. Please bear this in mind if out exploring woods and hills and keep any dogs you may have with you close by. Being chased by dogs is highly stressful for any wild animal, especially if they are pregnant or with young.

I'll post some pictures of our new arrival when I can. In the first few days they are quite shy and hide in the grass a lot under the watchful eye of mum. But when they are a bit braver I'll see if I can get a photo!

Y

Bluebell update

Whilst I was at Kirroughtree today, leading the Orienteering for Beginners event, I had a quick look at the bluebells and most of them are now in full flower and looking fabulous!

So if you're looking for a a nice woodland walk this weekend I can recommend Kirroughtree or Cally Woods in Gatehouse as a good place to start!

Have a great weekend!

Yogi

Bluebells in the Galloway Forest Park

The Bluebells are early this year and whilst they haven't quite burst in to full flowers just yet they appear to be just days off. There is certainly a nice blue/purple haze going on in some areas of the park including Kirroughtree and Cally woods.

So this bank holiday weekend could be a great time to visit a woodland in the Galloway Forest Park to enjoy a bluebell walk!

Ill try and post a 'flowering' update towards the end of the week.

Yogi

Galloway Dark Sky Park

Galloway forest dark sky park merchandise is now available to buy from our 3 visitor centres Clatteringshaws, Kirroughtree and Glentrool.

Whether it be a new mug for your morning coffee or a key ring to post to friends and family there is something for you. Pop in and have a look next time your passing.

Yogi