The landscape at Barstobrick is so varied it’s the perfect home for a huge variety of wildlife, from red deer, red squirrels and foxes to any bird species such as Mallard ducks, Lapwings, Buzzards, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warblers. It’s advisable that you bring your binoculars since you never know what you might spy! Barstobrick sits on the official ‘Galloway Kite Trail’, a 24 miles circular road trip giving you the best views of the Red Kites reintroduced to Dumfries and Galloway in 2001. The birds are regularly seen swooping through the skies nearby at Barstobrick Hill and wildlife trail maps can be purchased from our Coffee Shop, a great place to start you on your way to discovering all the wealth of flora and fauna at Barstobrick. Slightly further away you can also enjoy a number of wildlife attractions such as the Red Kite Feeding Station, which is only 4 miles away at Bellymack Hill Farm near Laurieston. At feeding time over 100 kites are often seen together.
Nature is in abundance in Dumfries and Galloway with lots of facilities to help you learn and immerse yourself in the wildlife of this part of Scotland: Visit RSPB Scotland Nature Reserves at Mershead, an extensive wetland and saltmarsh area, popular with breeding waders, wintering waterfowl and an year-round bird and wildlife-watching experience; Ken-Dee Marshes, with stunning views across the River Dee and Loch Ken, this reserve has both wetland and woodland to enjoy; Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve, near Dumfries, where the River Nith meets the Solway Firth, it is famous for the Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans who winter here and an abundance of other wildlife all year round and Cairnsmore of Fleet, one of the wildest places in south west Scotland. Cairnsmore is surprisingly accessible and is a paradise for wildlife watchers who may spy Peregrine falcons, red and black grouse, red deer and feral goats. A true taste of Scottish wilderness as you look out over the Cree Estuary stretching towards the Lake District, the reserve is dominated by an imposing granite hill, shaped by the elements.
For an aquatic wildlife experience, visit Logan Fishpond Marine Life Centre, near Stranraer or for a more exotic wildlife encounter how about a visit to Senwick Alpaca Trekking at Borgue? Here you can take a walk out with an alpaca and enjoy the scenery as you stroll. Treks are tailored to all ages and abilities.