Kites reap the benefits of food and funds

Oct 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

SATURDAY saw a surprising turn out on the Galloway Kite Trail, when about 50 visitors came to the open day at Bellymack Hill Farm red kite feeding station, despite the cold and wet weather and gale force winds.

The event was part of the RSPB ‘Feed The Birds Day’, an annual event across the UK aimed at encouraging more people to get out there and help our feathered friends.

Equally surprising, more than 50 kites, also braving the severe conditions, arrived at 2pm as they cascaded down to food, lain out by Anne Johnstone, the farm owner.

Visitors included tourists to the region as well as local people who often enjoy seeing the kites but who now wanted to learn more about them, and of course to see the large number of these birds attending the feeding station, is in itself a rewarding experience.

These open days are held twice yearly as a kind gesture by Anne, and with the help of the RSPB red kite team.

It has been encouraging for both parties to see so many locals and visiting people come to watch the feed and support the kites.

The family event attracted people of all ages and interests, and was a reflection of an increasing number of people visiting attractions such as the Galloway Kite Trail to enjoy nature in the region.

Calum Murray is the RSPB community liaison officer, based on the Galloway Kite Trail.

He is part funded through the Sulwath Connections Project with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB. He has been organising successful events like these since April last year, to help promote the trail, create links with local businesses and to encourage new visitors into the Loch Ken area.

He has also been working in partnership with officers from Dumfries and Galloway Council to implement a series of co-ordinated improvements on the trail including, new information points, cycle racks and picnic tables. This has all been made possible with new funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Regeneration and Europe Group, which builds on the existing Sulwath Connections landscape project.

It is hoped that all the new improvements will be in place in time for the start of the new tourist season in 2009. Damien Wilson, operations manager for Regeneration and Europe, said: “The Galloway Kite Trail is an excellent example of how the natural assets of Dumfries and Galloway can help develop new ways to support and contribute to the local economy.”

In the last five years since its creation in 2003, visitors on the trail have spent an estimated £2.95million in the region.

Of this sum, £0.7million was spent by people visiting the region specifically to see Red Kites and to visit the trail. Such a boost to the local economy is great news for everyone, and the new developments will continue to enhance people’s enjoyment of the trail and ultimately lead to the success of these protected birds through support by the people of Galloway.