RSPB Dumfries and Galloway

12/06/2026

Friday morning is Moth morning at RSPB Mersehead. Eighteen species in total with new species for the year including The Flame, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Large Yellow Underwing, Drinker, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Heart & Dart. The dominant species was Flame Shoulder with over 50 individuals recorded.

12/06/2026

⛔𝐍𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞⛔

The road (National Cycle Route 7) that runs through the Wood of Cree Reserve providing access to both of the RSPB car parks is closed today for resurfacing works. Please do not attempt to travel to the reserve by car today.
We are hopeful that the road will be open as normal from tomorrow (Saturday 13th June).

10/06/2026

⛔𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 ⛔

A sign has been erected on National Cycle Route 7 leading from Minnigaff, Newton Stewart (location of sign - https://maps.app.goo.gl/UjwiwzuWodKrprrAA ) to warn of road closures for resurfacing works on Friday 12th and Monday 15th June. We are not aware of exactly where the road closures are due to be and whether this will impact all access to the Wood of Cree reserve on these dates or just access by road from the South (along NCR7). We will update this post if we receive further information.

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

09/06/2026

Not what you expect to see on an evening walk at RSPB Mersehead!
Moles spend most of their life underground but occasionally emerge to dodge obstacles, escape flooding and cave ins, and when juveniles are dispersing from their mother's territory.
Moles are ecosystem engineers - aerating soil which allows more plants to grow, and improving soil drainage which helps reduce flooding!

📸C. Hutchison

08/06/2026

LOST PRPOERTY FOUND AT RSPB MERSEHEAD

Belonging to local person (lives in Castle Douglas), a purse has been handed into the reserve visitor centre.

If this is yours, then please let us know. We will keep for a few days and then hand in to Dumfries Police Station, if not claimed.

The owners details are in the purse (including photo ID) but sadly, we are unable to call person directly as don't have a contact phone number.

07/06/2026

If planning to visit RSPB Mersehead this week (from Monday 8 June to Friday 12 June), please note that the A710 road will be closed for one day between Mainsriddle and entrance road to the reserve.

For more updates and information, please contact Dumfries & Galloway Council directly (see image). We hope this won't cause too much inconvenience to anyone.

05/06/2026

Fantastic to estimate at least 6,500 Natterjack Tadpoles at RSPB Mersehead today. The majority of these are in the "large" category. Once they start to develop 2-legs, like the individual in the photograph, the yellow dorsal line beings to show.

We also found 2 spawn strings today which demonstrates how protracted the Natterjack Toad breeding season can be. We found our first spawn on the 8th April.

05/06/2026

Another morning, another early morning wader survey at RSPB Mersehead. Ragged Robin in flower on the merse (saltmarsh).

03/06/2026

It was worth the 4am alarm to spend the morning surveying for breeding waders at RSPB Kirkconnell Merse. The merse looked stunning with the amount of flowering plants in bloom. We were lucky enough to find an Oystercatcher nest as the adult flushed directly in front of us, the adult quickly returning to the nest as we moved on to continue with the survey. We even spotted an Otter on the River Nith.