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Wildlife & Birdwatching
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 those offering tourism related activities.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 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.
More information including trail routes and maps can be found at www.gallowaykitetrail.com |
