In summer, chiff chaffs and willow warblers add to the resident bird population. There is also a wealth of wildflowers such as red campion, wild garlic and wood sorrel to be seen in spring and summer. There are many minor paths that take you down to the shore, but for the purpose of this walk, continue to follow the main path.

The path leaves the wood and goes along the rocky shore, next to the golf course. This part of the coastline is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the quality and variety of the habitats, for example, it is the only place where perennial flax can be found. Lizards, slow-worms and adders can sometimes be spotted amongst the grasses or soaking up the heat on the rocks in the morning. Watch out for kestrels hovering above, waiting to snatch their prey. Out at sea porpoises and basking sharks may make an appearance. There is always something to see and on a clear day you can see the Isle of Man or across Wigtown Bay to the Machars, a quiet, picturesque peninsula in the west of the region.

Continue following the coastal path until you come to a kissing gate and then a stile. This takes you into farmland where the walk leaves the coast. In summer, listen out for the high, melodic song of the skylark. Flocks of finches are another welcome sight, especially since they and other farmland birds are declining. Rocky outcrops and gorse give the landscape a rugged feel and the strong winds coming in from the sea give hawthorns their windswept look. Following the arrows, you soon reach a field which has a viewpoint and bench. There are wonderful views out to sea and to the north-west, the modest peaks of Cairnharrow and Ben John dominate the landscape. Shortly after the view point, you will reach another stile, taking you onto a track. Here you have the option of taking the shorter route back to the car park.

Option 1
If you wish to take the shorter route, turn right when you reach the track then follow the waymarkers through Southpark Farm steading, past the caravan site and straight on back to the carpark.

Option 2
To do the whole walk, go straight across the track, following the waymarkers. As you head inland, you pass an area of wetland Cairniehill Loch. It is best to stay close to the fence line here where the ground is drier. The most obvious plant associated with the loch is the lesser bulrush with its big, brown spikes.
Also, look out for the large gold-ringed dragonfly hunting for insects hovering above the surface or along the margins of the loch. Swallows and grey wagtails take advantage of the wealth of insects and can be seen swooping or darting to catch them in mid flight. The path soon meets a farm track that you follow uphill, bearing right. Stay on the track and follow the waymarkers, which take you through Cairniehill Farm steading and onto a minor road. Follow the road downhill and cross two stiles to reach the car park where you started.