GENERAL:
The outing can be done as one or two day trips, or as both days with one overnight stay in a hotel.
The outing will be led by Donald Wilson.
The arrangements and times are approximate and carfuls can make their own decisions.
Accommodation for Saturday night is expected to book up quickly.
SOC members will be given priority for accommodation.
PRICE: THE SOC will make no charge, but there are admission charges for non-members at both reserves and there will obviously be travel and meal costs, plus Saturday night accommodation costs if coming for both days.
TIMES:
Drive to Caerlaverock, leaving Glasgow about 8am and aiming for 10.00 on Saturday when the reserve opens. Spend the day birdwatching. Stay overnight nearby (see below).
Drive to Mersehead , arriving about 10.00 when the reserve opens.
Leave Mersehead approx. 15:00 Sunday then drive home.
Early bird options may be available for those who wish to leave earlier on Saturday, or get up early on Sunday. Contact David as below if interested.
TRANSPORT:
It would be preferable if car sharing can be arranged. Anyone who can offer a lift or wishes one should contact David Palmar, stating approximately where they live and suggesting a meeting point.
DAY TRIP INFO:
If anyone wishes to join us on a day trip basis, please let David Palmar know you are coming for a day trip, either for Saturday, or for Sunday.
Meet at Caerlaverock on Saturday at 10am when it opens, or Mersehead on Sunday at 10am when it opens, or if you are later, you should be able to find us by asking at the visitor centre or by contacting the leader at the time. Leader contact information will be shared with those who have booked for the weekend and those who have let David know they are coming for the day.
WEEKEND OUTING BOOKING INFO: Participants should let David know that they plan to attend, and book their own accommodation, stating that they are part of the Clyde SOC group.
We are suggesting that people book the following for the Saturday night 25th March 2023, so that we can be together as a group.
Nith Hotel, Glencaple Call: 01387 770 213 [email protected]
Google maps link
Two twin rooms, two double rooms, two single rooms and two family rooms are all available - 8 rooms accommodating about 12 people in all, depending on sharing arrangements. Family rooms have a double and a single bed.
People are asked to 'pair up' with others to share twin and family rooms.
Twins, doubles and family rooms with two sharing are £95 for two people bed and breakfast, i.e. £47.50 each.
Single rooms are £75 bed and breakfast.
Dinner on Saturday night is extra. Depending on your menu choice, it could be about £25. Menus are online on the hotel's website (see above).
After dinner, there is a lounge and 3 bars where we could meet.
Breakfast is at 8am on Sunday.
Accommodation has been provisionally booked, but hotel space is limited, so it's essential to book as quickly as possible, otherwise alternative accommodation will have to be found.
If the accommodation fills up, we could use the Premier Inn or Travelodge in Dumfries, or if you have a camper van, the Glencaple Quay End motorhome stopover which is opposite the Nith Hotel, the facilities of which can be used.
TERRAIN: Mostly tarmac and gravel paths, on either gently sloping or level ground. Some paths may be tricky due to winter flooding.
RSPB Mersehead's website has a warning about possible winter flooding, so plans may change, and wellies might be needed!
OPTICS: Binoculars essential; scope advised if you have one but please be prepared to carry it for about 1 kilometre.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
NB: Because of accommodation, it would be difficult to postpone, so unless there's an emergency, we'll probably have to go ahead. Check this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The pace of the walks will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. We expect to see a variety of water birds, including wintering ducks, swans and geese, grebes and perhaps even a Kingfisher!
WWT CAERLAVEROCK:
Toilets, drinks and a limited selection of food are available at the Caerlaverock café, but a packed lunch is advisable.
See https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/
The swan feeding is at 1pm at the (heated) Peter Scott Hide. A good place for a packed lunch!
Admission £8.50 or free for WWT members. A number of vouchers are available which give 15% discount on admission to non-WWT members.
RSPB MERSEHEAD:
There are also toilets at Mersehead, but the normal refreshment facilities are closed, so it would be as well to bring a packed lunch for Sunday too.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/mersehead/
£3 car parking charge for non-RSPB members.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING:
3 Chargeplace Scotland rapid charging points (50kW) and 4 slower charging points (22kW or43kW AC) are available at the Brooms Road car park in south-central Dumfries. Currently the cost is 25p per kWh, but this may change.
In addition there are two Instavolt rapid chargers at Tesco in NW Dumfries, and two more Instavolt at the Bannatyne Health Club in north Dumfries.
Currently the cost of these is 75p per kWh.
Several other 22kW chargers are available if necessary.
See Zap-Map for details.
LONG WEEKEND:
There's nothing to stop anyone making a longer weekend of it if they wish. There are plenty of other things to do, e.g. look for Willow Tits and White-fronted Geese at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes and Kite viewing at Bellymack Farm, Laurieston.
The outing can be done as one or two day trips, or as both days with one overnight stay in a hotel.
The outing will be led by Donald Wilson.
The arrangements and times are approximate and carfuls can make their own decisions.
Accommodation for Saturday night is expected to book up quickly.
SOC members will be given priority for accommodation.
PRICE: THE SOC will make no charge, but there are admission charges for non-members at both reserves and there will obviously be travel and meal costs, plus Saturday night accommodation costs if coming for both days.
TIMES:
Drive to Caerlaverock, leaving Glasgow about 8am and aiming for 10.00 on Saturday when the reserve opens. Spend the day birdwatching. Stay overnight nearby (see below).
Drive to Mersehead , arriving about 10.00 when the reserve opens.
Leave Mersehead approx. 15:00 Sunday then drive home.
Early bird options may be available for those who wish to leave earlier on Saturday, or get up early on Sunday. Contact David as below if interested.
TRANSPORT:
It would be preferable if car sharing can be arranged. Anyone who can offer a lift or wishes one should contact David Palmar, stating approximately where they live and suggesting a meeting point.
DAY TRIP INFO:
If anyone wishes to join us on a day trip basis, please let David Palmar know you are coming for a day trip, either for Saturday, or for Sunday.
Meet at Caerlaverock on Saturday at 10am when it opens, or Mersehead on Sunday at 10am when it opens, or if you are later, you should be able to find us by asking at the visitor centre or by contacting the leader at the time. Leader contact information will be shared with those who have booked for the weekend and those who have let David know they are coming for the day.
WEEKEND OUTING BOOKING INFO: Participants should let David know that they plan to attend, and book their own accommodation, stating that they are part of the Clyde SOC group.
We are suggesting that people book the following for the Saturday night 25th March 2023, so that we can be together as a group.
Nith Hotel, Glencaple Call: 01387 770 213 [email protected]
Google maps link
Two twin rooms, two double rooms, two single rooms and two family rooms are all available - 8 rooms accommodating about 12 people in all, depending on sharing arrangements. Family rooms have a double and a single bed.
People are asked to 'pair up' with others to share twin and family rooms.
Twins, doubles and family rooms with two sharing are £95 for two people bed and breakfast, i.e. £47.50 each.
Single rooms are £75 bed and breakfast.
Dinner on Saturday night is extra. Depending on your menu choice, it could be about £25. Menus are online on the hotel's website (see above).
After dinner, there is a lounge and 3 bars where we could meet.
Breakfast is at 8am on Sunday.
Accommodation has been provisionally booked, but hotel space is limited, so it's essential to book as quickly as possible, otherwise alternative accommodation will have to be found.
If the accommodation fills up, we could use the Premier Inn or Travelodge in Dumfries, or if you have a camper van, the Glencaple Quay End motorhome stopover which is opposite the Nith Hotel, the facilities of which can be used.
TERRAIN: Mostly tarmac and gravel paths, on either gently sloping or level ground. Some paths may be tricky due to winter flooding.
RSPB Mersehead's website has a warning about possible winter flooding, so plans may change, and wellies might be needed!
OPTICS: Binoculars essential; scope advised if you have one but please be prepared to carry it for about 1 kilometre.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
NB: Because of accommodation, it would be difficult to postpone, so unless there's an emergency, we'll probably have to go ahead. Check this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The pace of the walks will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. We expect to see a variety of water birds, including wintering ducks, swans and geese, grebes and perhaps even a Kingfisher!
WWT CAERLAVEROCK:
Toilets, drinks and a limited selection of food are available at the Caerlaverock café, but a packed lunch is advisable.
See https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/
The swan feeding is at 1pm at the (heated) Peter Scott Hide. A good place for a packed lunch!
Admission £8.50 or free for WWT members. A number of vouchers are available which give 15% discount on admission to non-WWT members.
RSPB MERSEHEAD:
There are also toilets at Mersehead, but the normal refreshment facilities are closed, so it would be as well to bring a packed lunch for Sunday too.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/mersehead/
£3 car parking charge for non-RSPB members.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING:
3 Chargeplace Scotland rapid charging points (50kW) and 4 slower charging points (22kW or43kW AC) are available at the Brooms Road car park in south-central Dumfries. Currently the cost is 25p per kWh, but this may change.
In addition there are two Instavolt rapid chargers at Tesco in NW Dumfries, and two more Instavolt at the Bannatyne Health Club in north Dumfries.
Currently the cost of these is 75p per kWh.
Several other 22kW chargers are available if necessary.
See Zap-Map for details.
LONG WEEKEND:
There's nothing to stop anyone making a longer weekend of it if they wish. There are plenty of other things to do, e.g. look for Willow Tits and White-fronted Geese at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes and Kite viewing at Bellymack Farm, Laurieston.