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Red Kites. An exciting new birdwatching opportunity to view spectacular red kites in lovely scenery is now attracting the attention of walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers and birdwatchers in Dumfries and Galloway and from much further afield. The 'Galloway Kite Trail' around beautiful Loch Ken promotes the population of kites, recently re-established in Kirkcudbrightshire, as a source of nature-based tourism to benefit local communities in the area. In so doing, the trail is helping to strengthen the 'ownership' of the kites by local communities and tourist operators.
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Developed by RSPB Scotland, with assistance from Making Tracks, SNH, FCS, D&GRSG and local businesses, the trail includes various facilities around the loch such as footpaths, viewpoints, information points, CCTV (in summer), release cages | |||||||||||||||||
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Just click on the buttons on the right or on the map above to learn more about the Galloway Kite Trail and for further information on these fascinating and beautiful birds of prey.
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| and RSPB Scotland’s Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, all of which are good places to see kites and other wildlife. A feeding station with a hide has been established at Bellymack Hill Farm near Laurieston, and over 30 kites have often been seen together over winter months. These have included many of the birds released in 2003, as well as adult birds and two individuals that arrived from other populations. The site also offers good views of raven and buzzard. Large numbers of kites are best seen in late afternoon in the winter months, but there are generally some kites around all day at any time of the year. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Click on Kite Logo above to download latest Galloway Trail Kite Bulletin
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The feeding station is only 10 minutes drive from the Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve and around 30 minutes drive from RSPB Scotland’s Mersehead Reserve, and so can be easily integrated within a good day’s birding at any time of the year. These reserves are already well known for their wintering geese, but are equally attractive for breeding birds in the spring and summer. |
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| Interpretation boards have been installed at key points on the trail and these are highlighted in a promotional leaflet and map that forms a fold-out guide to the trail. A special kids’ trail has also been developed. Some local businesses such as hotels and B&Bs are also partners in the kite trail project and each displays a unique information board on various aspects of the kites’ history and biology. They can also provide up-to-date information on the kites.Several RSPB and other birding groups have already enjoyed visits to the trail and it is likely that more birdwatchers will take the opportunity to come and see kites in this fantastic setting, and to use the businesses involved in this exciting project.
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| Supporting the trail helps the local population of red kites by making them a financial asset to the area. With eight red kites illegally poisoned in South West Scotland in 2003, the birds need all the community support they can get to help them establish a viable breeding population in Dumfries and Galloway. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Information on the Galloway Kite Trail can be obtained from the RSPB Scotland office in Glasgow on 0141 331 0993, or from Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board on 01387 253862. | ||||||||||||||||||
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