DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
MAX MILES ON FOOT: 3 MIN TIME : 2 HOURS
Clear-felled areas plus the possibility of eagles
Craigieburn Forest is run by Forestry & Land Scotland, supplying the timber we would otherwise have to import. The tracks are ideal for walking, and viewing birds and other wildlife.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Like many forests around Britain, the once solid mass of conifers is changing, with clear fell and replanting. To move the timber, you need tracks, and this forest has a number of these, offering easy access and the chance to see a range of species, starting here in the car park with Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Song Thrush and Blackbird.
2 The first track has a steep climb, with a clear fell on your left, with the chance of Stonechat. The right-hand side is a mixture of broad-leaved trees with the odd conifer which has survived due to the terrain’s steepness. Here, you will find Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. There is a chance of mixed tits like Great, Blue and Coal, with Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. Tawny Owls can use old crow nests to nest in here.
3 You come to an open corner where you have a great view over the Moffat Water Glen. Recent reintroduction of Golden Eagle has put the area on the map, and it is worth scanning the far side of the valley to see if you can spot one, as the birds were released close to here. The area is ideal for other raptors, such as Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Goshawk.
4 Moving higher into the forest, you want to look out for some of the conifer gems, like Crossbill. Check the cone crops to find this bird; both Sitka Spruce and Larch are a good bet to supply the birds with food. Other species using the cones are Siskin and Goldfinch. Wet pools along the track
