Nothing evokes the sound of winter at Caerlaverock quite like the sound of thousands of Barnacle Geese rising and flying overhead!
These beautiful, small geese have migrated all the way from Svalbard in the Artic Circle to over winter at Caerlaverock – a phenomenal feat of nature – truly awe inspiring! It is a magical sight and worth wrapping up in your winter woolies to hear!
Listen out for the pink feet geese at this time of year too – they sound like small pigs and seem to say ‘wink wink’ (I’m a pink!) compared to the ‘yapping’ sound of the Barnies.
Whooper Swans can also be heard around Caerlaverock – unlike the mute swans who tend to be resident year round – the whoopers can make themselves heard!
See here for more information about the Barnacle geese: https://www.wwt.org.uk/conservation/saving-wetlands-and-wildlife/saving-wildlife/science-and-action/uk-species/barnacle-goose/
This video was taken by Malcolm Laurie on a particularly still day on the River Nith at Glencaple.