What to see and where in Southern Scotland

As the days get longer and warmer, there are many great wildlife sights to be seen across Dumfries, Galloway and the Borders.

Ospreys - the return of old friends

Ospreys return to the region in March/April after spending the winter in West Africa and there are several excellent viewing centres, some with live camera links, at  Wigtown  , Threave Estate near Castle Douglas, WWT Caerlaverock  southeast of Dumfries, and Kailzie Gardens  near Peebles.

Coastal cliff top walks

See the variety of bird life along our coasts. Enjoy a spectacular cliff top walk at St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve   on the Berwickshire coast or visit the RSPB visitor centre at the Mull of Galloway  , Scotland's most southerly point, and see the seabirds via CCTV.  Watch the soaring skylarks over the merse at Caerlaverock  (meaning 'castle of the lark'), or listen out for the loud, raucous calls of rare natterjack toads on summer evenings.

A carpet of wildflowers . . .

Springtime brings a dense carpet of wildflowers to our native woodlands and birdsong is at its best. Chiffchaffs are usually one of the first migrant birds to appear, singing their names in a repetitive 'chiff chaff' song from the tops of the trees. Don't miss the magnificent bluebell displays at Wood of Cree  and Carstramon Wood  . Forestry Commission's red squirrel trail in Hyndlee Forest  near Bonchester Bridge is also worth exploring, as is Plora Wood  just east of Innerleithen, part of Tweeddale's ancient native woodland.

. . . and fluffy white cotton

Look out for the fluffy white heads of cottongrass that appears in May and thrives in the boggy conditions of Kirkconnell Flow National Nature Reserve  , on the west side of the Nith Estuary. This fluffy white 'cotton' was once used to stuff pillows, as an alternative to goose down.

Birds of the wild uplands

In the uplands, black grouse are showing off to attract mates, and waders like lapwing and curlew are returning to grassy pastures. Watch nesting ravens and peregrine falcons, visible around the visitor centre at Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve  , or take the inbye walk and discover the sculptures in this remote, wild landscape.

Dramatic landscapes

The quality of light at this time of the year is especially good for viewing the region's outstanding scenery. Southern Scotland has five designated National Scenic Areas that represent some of Scotland's finest landscapes. Walk from Rockcliffe to Castlehill Point  for stunning views of the East Stewartry Coast and Solway Firth. Or visit the famous Scott's View  above the Tweed valley near Melrose, dominated by the dramatic landscape of the Eildon Hills.