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Wildlife at Drumlanrig

The rivers, lochs, woodland, farmland and parkland located in Drumlanrig Country Estate are teeming with wildlife. With so many different habitats for plants and animals to call home, Drumlanrig Country Estate is a worthwhile trip for anyone with an interest in wildlife, at any time of the year.

One particular highlight arising from a visit to Drumlanrig is the opportunity to see the native Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The best time to catch a glimpse of this exceptional animal is during the summer months when the adults are busy with young and therefore more preoccupied with the jobs of parenthood than the many eyes of the public watching them.

The woodland at Drumlanrig is a fantastic mix of species, both native and introduced. The woodland is managed in such a way that only individual trees or small areas of woodland are ever felled at one time, mirroring the process of natural glades opening up as mature trees die.

The farmland around the Castle is managed sympathetically with wildlife in mind. Hedgerows, small farm woods, field margins and ponds will forever feature in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, long after they have disappeared throughout much of the country.

The Parkland is open grassland peppered with mature trees of different ages and is a favourite hunting ground for the many Barn Owls found in the area.

The mixture of habitat found at Drumlanrig provides food and a home for a very diverse population of animals and plants. Home to a wide variety of bird life from the smallest Goldcrest through to the much larger Buzzard, Drumlanrig consists of an interesting variety. All the usual suspects, Finches, Tits, Thrushes, Warblers are all well represented with memorable woodland species including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Pied Flycatcher and, unusual in Scotland, the Nuthatch. The farmland and parkland plays host to breeding Lapwing, Green Woodpecker, Oystercatchers and holes in mature trees provide nest sites for Tawny and Barn Owls. The unpolluted rivers and lochs play host to Heron, Dipper, Little Grebe and the ever-popular Kingfisher. Mammals other than the ever-present Red Squirrel include Roe Deer, Badger, Stoat and its larger cousin the Otter who regularly fishes the many lochs. Amphibians include the Palmate and Smooth Newt and on dry land reptiles are represented by the Slow Worm.

Plant life at Drumlanrig is as diverse as you may expect with many ancient woodland indicator species including Sanicle and Dogs Mercury. A visit to Drumlanrig in spring or early summer best illustrates the plant life spectacle when the forest floor can be found ablaze with wildflowers.

To uncover the wealth of wildlife to be found at Drumlanrig, why not take a leisurely stroll on one of our four way-marked trails and enjoy the scenery through our beautiful woodlands.