Following on from the success of the Coastwise Beach Guide a new guide linking place names and wildlife is now available.

The guide is an introduction to the creatures and plants that have inspired place names on the long and varied coast of Dumfries and Galloway. The names we give to places help us describe a location to other people. Place names help us find our way in both the physical and cultural landscape by providing a short description of a place. Place names can provide clues about where to see wildlife and while some, like Juniper Rock, are easy to understand other names need a bit of explaining. 

Take a look at the guide to find out about the wildlife involved in places like Partan Craig or Pyot Hole. The cormorant with its distinctive plumage and habit of standing on rocks with its wings spread has different local names including Black Dookers and Dooky Divers. Dookers Bing, Scart Rock and  Ducker Bay all refer to places along the rocky coast where cormorants can be seen roosting and nesting. 
 
If you would like an introduction to wildlife on the Dumfries and Galloway shore line then visiting one of the many coastal nature reserves shown in the guide is a good place to start.

Click here to download the guide.