Autumn leaves

Some trees are really starting to stand out from the crowd. Horse Chestnuts, Sycamores, Birch and Larch are putting in a good display.

So if you're out and about exploring the Galloway Forest Park this weekend then be sure to remember your camera!

Have a great weekend

Yogi

ps only a few spaces left on the Autumn Colours Photography event at Glentrool (27th October 1.30pm - 4pm) Booking essential 01671 402 420. Charges apply.

Wild Autumn

Glentrool

Photo copyright LJHadley

Autumn is upon us and I for one am very excited. Not only is it time for spotting migratory birds such as red wings, field fares and wax wings but also we become surrounded by stunning Autumn colour and light.

There are also heaps of wildlife events happening across the region from the 15th to 30th October as part of Wild Autumn. Art exhibitions, small mammal safaris, deer range tours to mention a few. Visit the Wild Autumn website for full event listings.

As part of Wild Autumn we have some great events lined up too including 'Autumn Colours Photography' being led by our Ranger and photography enthusiast Lucy as well as extra 'Red Deer Range' tours. Details of these events can be found on our website

So Wrap up warm and watch Autumn happen right here!

Until next time, Yogi

Going Wild this Autumn!

Dumfries and Galloway is a great place to enjoy wildlife at any time of the year, better still there are heaps of events planned to help you get closer to some of the amazing wildlife that lives here.

Want a taster of what wildlife to expect to see this Autumn in Dumfries and Galloway? Check out the Wild Autumn video featuring some of the highlights!

Yogi

Dark Sky Park - Astro Fest

Tonight is the first of a 3 day event this weekend on all things astro! The weekend plans to deliver a very interesting line up including talks, planetarium shows, comet making and night sky viewing with the experts.

Tonight

7pm Dark Sky Scotland Planetarium Show (45mins)

9pm Stargazing led by Dark Sky Scotland.

Both activities are being held at the Douglas Ewart High School in Newton Stewart and places are given on a first come first served basis so make sure you arrive nice and early. And its free!

For more information visit our web page www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway


Yogi

Winter opening for Kirroughtree visitor centre

Kirroughtree visitor centre is now open weekends only and will close for the winter on Monday 13th December (last day open will be 12th December).

There is still plenty to do and each weekend there is an event on at the centre. This weekend is Savour the flavours of Dumfries and Galloway. Come along to sample and buy some yummy locally produced food direct from the producer.

For details on this event and other events coming up before Christmas visit our website www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark and click on events.

Clatteringshaws and Glentrool visitor centres have now closed for the winter and will re-open April 2011.

Hope you're enjoying the fantastic show of Autumn colour in the forest park at the moment!

Yogi

Autumn colours!

Many areas in the Galloway Forest Park are starting to look truly stunning as the leaves of braodleaves and larch start to die back and produce some amazing colour.

We had a frosty morning a couple of days ago and I think that has really fired the trees into action. From my observations the silver birch seemed to turn first in many areas and the beech trees shortly followed. The oaks are starting to change and I think give it a few more days and by mid next week we will have a great colour show!

So if you have the weekend off then get those walking boots out and shuffle them through piles of dead leaves on a woodland path near you. If you do, lets us know which wood in the park you visited and what you enjoyed most about your autumn walk.

Happy Autumn everyone!

Yogi

Autumn is here, enjoy!

What a pleasure it is to go exploring at the moment, the woods are full of colour! Remember we have 27 way marked trails here in the Galloway Forest Park, details of which can be found in our walk trail leaflet. If you would like a copy let us know or click on the walkers leaflet icon on our main Galloway Forest Park page www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

Don't forget to wrap up warm!

Yogi

Wrap up warm and enjoy the show!

If you haven't had a walk in the woods for a while then I can strongly advise one just now. I headed out to Barhil Woods in Kirkcudbright yesterday afternoon and walked the circular route from the car park. Crispy leaves that had fallen from the surrounding trees crunched under foot as I made my way along the trail.

Whilst the full throws of Autumn hasn't quite happened in this wood yet, the warm light from the late afternoon sun filters through the trees and provides anticipation and a subtle glimpse of great things to come.

It's a similar story for many of our other woods within the Galloway Forest Park, whilst many trees have started to show signs of transforming, we yet have to see their full Autumnal glory.

Silver birch started to turn back in September and so in some places throughout the park they are looking quite yellow. However, some of our bigger trees like the Oak and Beech are taking their time, some might argue mother nature is 'saving the best to last'!

Ill help you keep a track of what's happening out there this Autumn right here on our blog. I can't promise to update every day, that wouldn't be very helpful anyway, but I will try my best with a couple of entries a week.

I cant wait to get back out there to see how the Autumn colours are coming on. Now where did i leave my gloves?...

Yogi

Seasons are fab!

Penninghame Pond which isnt far from Glentrool is a fantastic place to go for a short stroll or walk the dogs. Whilst I was there earlier today, in the rain, I noticed that the leaves on one of the silver birch trees had started to turn yellow. Then when I opened my eyes a bit more I noticed that all of the birch trees had started to take on a magical golden glow.

As the wind blew yellow heart shaped leaves along the path I zipped up my coat to keep out the chilly breeze. I then got quite excited realising that autumn is just around the corner, where woodlands are transformed into magical places of vibrant colours and lochs take on the appearence of mirrors reflecting the surrounding trees and stunning colours in all directions.

I love this time of the year and cant wait to get back out there.

If you like Autumn colours too keep an eye on our website www.foresty.gov.uk where we will be listing all of the Forestry Commission Scotland woodlands that you can visit which have great Autumn colours.

Yogi

First signs of Autumn in the Galloway Forest Park

Some say a heavy crop of autumn fruits is a sign of a bad winter to come, whilst others claim that a calm spring allowed the trees to flower successfully.

Whatever the cause, the Rowan berries we are seeing certainly make an impressive sight set against the blue skies we are enjoying at the moment.