Exciting news – the BBC have chosen WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre near Dumfries to be the hosting venue for Autumnwatch 2015.
The 1500 acre wetland site is managed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). It consists of both saltmarsh and freshwater wetlands and houses a working farm, visitor centre and cafe.
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre Manager Brian Morrell is reported to have said:
“We’re really excited to welcome Autumnwatch, especially at such a special time of year. We’ll have thousands of geese and swans arriving from the arctic to fill our wetland with noise and colour.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming all the presenters and production staff. We’re as curious as they are about what they might find – you’ll just have to tune in to find out!”
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre sits on the salt marsh estuary of the River Nith on the Solway Firth. Things to look out for:
- The entire population, around 30,000, of Svalbard barnacle geese overwintering in this area
- The triops – or tadpole shrimp – a wee three-eyed prehistoric animal found only here and at one other site in the UK. It is one of the oldest species in the world
- Whooper swan families, who come to Caerlaverock either as a stopping off point on their migration south, or to overwinter
- Badgers – resident, who enjoy being fed at close quarters
- Natterjack toads – whose population has expanded thanks to the pools created around the mound-sheltered walks.
- Criffel (if its not too cloudy!) – at 570m, the highest hill in the area
Autumnwatch will air on BBC2 the week commencing Monday 2nd November, as well as online and on the red button.