On this walk around the hill on well-laid out paths, you may see golden eagles or peregrines
The views from the top of the hill allow us to see up into the Moffat Hills and across to the Lowthers. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Solway Firth and the mountains of the Lake District.
In September, most of our migrant birds will have left but among the young trees and in the various layers of the older woodland, we could hear and see some year round residents. These include, great, long-tailed, blue and coal tits; great spotted woodpeckers; jays, carrion crows, jackdaws and rooks. In the sky above the summit there is a chance we may see buzzards, ravens and kestrels and, if we’re really lucky, a sparrowhawk or a passing red kite.
Gallow Hill attracts soaring birds and, by early October, flights of geese – greylag, pink-footed and barnacle geese are a daily spectacle to be heard heading to, or from the Solway Coast. Roe deer and brown hares are regularly spotted too.
Although we will be on well-made paths throughout the walk, some parts can be muddy so we recommend walking boots and waterproof clothing.
Top tip bring binoculars
This is Dave...
Local bird conservationist, Dave Dick has been a resident of Moffat since 2007 when he retired from his post as Senior Investigations Officer with RSPB Scotland. Since childhood, Dave has been fascinated by nature in his native Scotland and enjoys showing others the rich wildlife of places such as Gallow Hill. He is a specialist in birds of prey, having worked on golden eagle and peregrine falcon surveys. Initially in charge of monitoring many species of rare birds, including setting up the Scottish Raptor Study Groups, he eventually specialised in working with the justice system to help prevent such crimes as the poisoning and trapping of birds, egg and chick theft and the international trade in wild birds. Read more in his autobiography Wildlife Crime. He is also a musician and plays guitar regularly in Moffat.
