Here in the UK UK the in Elsewhere from Galloway Into Released

station

by Ben Andrew (all images rspb-images.com) 740-0462-16-17 rspb-images.com) images (all Andrew Ben by

kite red Hall, Ben by kites red Gomersall, Chris by cover Front

roost in winter in roost feeding the kites red

in Scotland SC037654. SC037654. Scotland in

gathering to to gathering at sights soaring see

fields by Loch Ken and the River Dee. River the and Ken Loch by fields 207076, Wales & England in charity registered a is RSPB The

Greenland white-fronted geese, as they feed in in feed they as geese, white-fronted Greenland red kites kites red amazing the to trails

Search for Icelandic greylags and scarce scarce and greylags Icelandic for Search the Admire at Wonder the Explore

RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve. Marshes Ken-Dee RSPB

they visit feeding areas near viewing hides at at hides viewing near areas feeding visit they

the heart of Galloway of heart the 3

Discover red squirrels chasing each other, as as other, each chasing squirrels red Discover

A red kite adventure in in adventure kite red A

woodland colours change with autumn. with change colours woodland Working together to give nature a home a nature give to together Working

loch in Dumfries & Galloway, while nearby nearby while Galloway, & Dumfries in loch

2 Take a drive around the largest freshwater freshwater largest the around drive a Take inspiring everyone to give nature a home. a nature give to everyone inspiring

The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, charity, conservation nature largest country’s the is RSPB The

largest land mammals in the UK, during the rut. rut. the during UK, the in mammals land largest

facilities listed around the trail. the around listed facilities

Galloway Forest Park, for a close view of the the of view close a for Park, Forest Galloway

held responsible for any changes in the quality or nature of of nature or quality the in changes any for responsible held

1 In October, pop up to the Red Deer Range in in Range Deer Red the to up pop October, In Please note that the Galloway Kite Trail Partnership cannot be be cannot Partnership Trail Kite Galloway the that note Please

gallowaykitetrail.com the chillier months. chillier the

Tel: 01556 670464 01556 Tel:

during miss to not Things

Crossmichael, Castle Douglas DG7 3AP DG7 Douglas Castle Crossmichael,

RSPB Dumfries & Galloway Office, The Old School, School, Old The Office, Galloway & Dumfries RSPB

Autumn/winter For more information, contact information, more For

or Loch Stroan for a picnic with a view. a with picnic a for Stroan Loch or

continue to spread across the region. the across spread to continue

Pool Otter the at stopping Road, Raiders’

and Germany. They have bred since 2003 and and 2003 since bred have They Germany. and

4 Discover wildlife on the forest drive along along drive forest the on wildlife Discover

released into Galloway from elsewhere in the UK UK the in elsewhere from Galloway into released

Between 2001 and 2005, 104 young kites were were kites young 104 2005, and 2001 Between and fro on the Mossdale Walk. Mossdale the on fro and

as grasshoppers sing and butterflies flutter to to flutter butterflies and sing grasshoppers as

3 farmers, launched a reintroduction programme. reintroduction a launched farmers, Stroll amongst colourful wildflower meadows, meadows, wildflower colourful amongst Stroll

partnership with landowners, raptor workers and and workers raptor landowners, with partnership

woods at RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve. Marshes Ken-Dee RSPB at woods the RSPB and government agencies, working in in working agencies, government and RSPB the

spot woodpeckers and nuthatches in the damp damp the in nuthatches and woodpeckers spot Kite Trail Kite turned around for red kites in the UK. In 1989, 1989, In UK. the in kites red for around turned

Catch the scolding calls of rare willow tits or or tits willow rare of calls scolding the Catch the huge growth of public interest in wildlife, things things wildlife, in interest public of growth huge the

With the spread of more enlightened attitudes, and and attitudes, enlightened more of spread the With

the hills seen by a fugitive king after battle. battle. after king fugitive a by seen hills the

The Galloway Galloway The

The kite’s return kite’s The

Visitor Centre and stop to admire the view to to view the admire to stop and Centre Visitor

1 Rest at Bruce’s Stone, near Clatteringshaws Clatteringshaws near Stone, Bruce’s at Rest

were left in remote Welsh valleys. Welsh remote in left were

and other birds of prey. By 1880, only a few kites kites few a only 1880, By prey. of birds other and

great time for you to explore. to you for time great

were passed encouraging people to kill red kites kites red kill to people encouraging passed were

a and nature for time busy A

and carrion. However, in the 16th century, laws laws century, 16th the in However, carrion. and

towns and countryside, mainly feeding on scraps scraps on feeding mainly countryside, and towns

Spring/summer

In the Middle Ages, kites were a common sight in in sight common a were kites Ages, Middle the In

The kite’s story story kite’s The Other things to do do to things Other

Red Kites Why do I visit Middleton spotters’ guide Lakes? It’s simple really... Spring/summer it makes me smile! A busy time for red kites, with Kim, Lichfield nesting and raising young.

1 Take a close look at kites flying overhead, as they may be carrying all sorts of things back to their nests. 2 Search for kites gathering when farmers Welcome cut silage or hay, as they will scavenge or Come on an adventure along the hunt small creatures found in the fields. Galloway Kite Trail as red kites 3 Explore the Secret Cages, where red kites were first released into the Galloway glide and soar overhead. The Forest Park. 24-mile trail circles beautiful Loch Ken with viewing points along the Autumn/winter way, with an extra 14-mile route through Galloway Forest Park in Kite behaviour not to be missed summer. If you’re after a closer in chillier months. encounter with these spectacular 1 Be amazed at the feeding frenzy of over a birds, a stop at the feeding station hundred red kites at Bellymack Hill Farm, is an experience not to be missed. during afternoon feeds at 2 pm. 2 Watch kites riding the sky as you walk to The area is teeming with wildlife, historical viewpoints overlooking Loch Ken and the attractions and some of the most magnificent Red kites are social birds of prey River Dee, on the Parton Heritage Trail. scenery in south-west Scotland. and make an awesome spectacle. 3 Admire red kites circling over woods on This guide gives you details of many places to Tens of thousands of people travel the trail, when they gather (sometimes in eat, shop and stay while you are here. to sites like this every year to see a flying circus) to roost at dusk. If you’re visiting with children look out for the them. It’s incredible to think that in For more information about the kites look out for special Kids’ Kite Quest and see how many the 20th century they were almost Galloway Kite Trail information boards along the of the six wood carving rubbings your young trail on walks, viewpoints and in local businesses. companions can find! extinct in the UK.

Have a wonderful time and come back soon! The Galloway Kite Trail

The following businesses 3 Airds Farmhouse B&B 7 The CatStrand Arts 11 Mossdale Shop provide support and information Crossmichael, and Visitor Centre Mossdale, on the red kite project as well Castle Douglas DG7 3BG High Street, New Galloway, Castle Douglas DG7 2NF as offering a variety of services 01556 670418 Castle Douglas DG7 3RN 01644 450281 in the area. airds.com 01644 420374 catstrand.com 12 The Gallery at Laurieston 15 Brookford B&B Bellymack Hill Farm 4 Loch Ken Holiday Park Woodbank House, Laurieston, 4 St John’s Way, Kite Feeding Station Parton, Castle Douglas DG7 3NE 8 The Smithy Tearoom Castle Douglas DG7 2PW St John’s Town of Dalry DG7 3UQ Laurieston, Castle Douglas DG7 2PJ 01644 470282 & Craft Shop 01644 450235 01644 430512 01644 450202 Open 1–4 pm lochkenholidaypark.co.uk High Street, New Galloway, pmcphotography.co.uk brookfordbandb.co.uk (kites fed at 2 pm) Castle Douglas DG7 3RN bellymackhillfarm.co.uk 5 Galloway Activity Centre 01644 420269 Open Mar–Oct 13 The Schoolhouse Longshot Holiday Cottage Loch Ken, Castle Douglas DG7 3NQ thesmithy-newgalloway.co.uk Restaurant c/o Craig Farm, Balmaclellan, 01556 502011 The Schoolhouse, Ringford, Castle Douglas DG7 3QS 1 Bengle Tree Shop lochken.co.uk 9 Castle Douglas DG7 2AL 01644 420636 141 King Street, The Clachan Inn 8–10 Main Street, St John’s Town 01557 820250 craigfarm.co.uk Castle Douglas DG7 1DX 6 of Dalry, Castle Douglas DG7 3UW 01556 504443 The Ken Bridge Hotel, 01644 430241 14 themagicbroomstick.com Campsite & Holiday Cottage NTS Countryside Centre The Selkirk Arms Hotel New Galloway, theclachaninn.co.uk Rangers Office, High Street, Castle Douglas DG7 3PR Threave House and Gardens, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JG 2 The Thistle Inn 01644 420211 10 Castle Douglas DG7 1RX 01557 330402 Main Street, Crossmichael, Clatteringshaws kenbridgehotel.co.uk 01556 503702 selkirkarmshotel.co.uk Castle Douglas DG7 3AU Visitor Centre Clatteringshaws, New Galloway, nts.org.uk/threave 01556 670203 Castle Douglas DG7 3SQ [email protected] 01644 420221 Open Mar–Oct (weekends Nov–Dec)

15 N 9 Key St John’s Town

A762 of Dalry Water A713 W E GKT route (all year) Balmaclellan A712 GKT route (Apr–Oct)S Clatteringshaws 6 Walk trails Loch Bruce’s New Galloway Stone Town/village 10 A712 7 1 Service provider 8 (see adverts) HistoricalCorsock landmark Public toilets Car parking

Ra id Good kite viewing e A762 r s ’ Bennan 5 R o Viewpoint Bellymack Hill Kite a d A713 Parton Feeding Station (to l le Heritage d Trail GKT information shelter ) Loch Secret Ken Cages Mossdale Walk 4 Good kite viewing Loch Stroan 11 Parton N Parton Heritage Trail Opposite Loch Ken Holiday Park. Circular walk 3 miles Mossdale (4.8 km), viewpoint ½ mile (0.8 km) from car park. W E RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Bennan viewpoint River Dee Reserve 3 Uphill walk ¼ mile (500 m), steep in places, S to viewpoint. Crossmichael Woodhall 2 The Secret Cages Loch Parking at Bennan Viewpoint car park. Walk to cages ¾ mile (1.2 km), circular walk including Bennan Townhead of A75 Viewpoint 1½ miles (2.4 km). Kite Feeding Greenlaw Mossdale Walk 12 Station From car park near red kite sculpture, follow old Glenlochar railway line under the road bridge and continue Threave following way-markers along the 1½ miles (2.4 km) Laurieston B795 circular trail. Osprey Viewing Retreat A745 Threave Castle Bellymack Hill Kite Feeding Station Wood Follow drive from B795 to car park and Visitor Centre. 1 Café, shop, toilets and nature trail. Kites fed at 2 pm. Admission charges apply. Castle 14 RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Douglas Disabled parking at first hide. Three mile (4.8 km), Neilson's return walk along track from car park to viewing Monument A75 platform and hides. A762 Neilson’s Monument Parking at the Barstobrick Visitor Centre. Half a mile (0.8 km), uphill walk to monument and viewpoint, 0 km 2 km 4 km uneven in places. Ringford 13