This is a Special Protection Area for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl - pink-footed geese and Greenland white-fronted geese are also regular visitors.

There are delightful woodland walks just beyond the garden and further afield there is the nature reserve (towards Threave Castle and the River Dee), which includes bird hides and an Osprey viewing platform.There is also a designated Bat Reserve - follow the bat trail to spot wonderful rare bats.

Ospreys have been seen regularly throughout the years, either passing through or prospecting for potential nest sites and more recently, within the Dee river system of Threave estate. Trust staff, countryside staff and tenant farmers on the estate can recall seeing Ospreys in the area annually over a number of years.

In 2007 Karl Munday contacted Ciril Ostroznik and asked if he would put up Osprey platforms at Threave Estate in an attempt to encourage the birds to nest.

The following year an osprey (ringed black 80) appeared creating a lot of interest - he was positively ID'd and traced back to Glaslyn North Wales. This was at the time the only successful Osprey nest site in Wales. There was no idea of the origins of the female as she was un-ringed. Our birds during 2008 went through the ritual of pair bonding for the future, with no eggs being laid that year.In 2009 the male, black 80, was back with presumably the same female; and there was a very successful year with the birds continuing behaviour that further cemented their pairing, and demonstrated faithfulness to the Threave nest.

The birds' behaviour, as the season progressed, suggested we had eggs, which was much to everyone's delight. This turned out to be a great success for Osprey conservation and the National Trust for Scotland. Both the chicks were ringed and they fledged shortly afterwards, offering great views to the public.

In anticipation of the coming season, and riding on the success of 2009, we had a public viewing Osprey platform constructed to encourage the wider public to come and see these very special birds.

Main picture: Tenesca

We highly recommend the publications below to compliment your visit to this Region.

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