Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest LNR in Britain. It is internationally important for its pink-footed geese population in the winter and these and many other species use the recently created wetlands at Wigtown harbour.

The County Buildings houses the LNR visitors’ room with a live video camera relaying pictures of the breeding and wintering birds all year round. Ospreys have successfully returned to Galloway to breed in the last few years and have become the star attraction between April and September. Last year visitors were able to watch the hatching of the first egg, the chick being fed and learning to fly before leaving for Africa.

There are a range of events for both locals and visitors to enjoy throughout the year including guided walks and wildlife watching drop-in sessions at Wigtown Harbour bird hide.

Proposals for future developments include a ‘beastie hut’, similar to the above, so that locals and visitors can study the smaller forms of wildlife that inhabit this corner of Scotland.