Galloway Red kite trail
The trail, which is a self-guided tour circling Loch Ken near Castle Douglas, promotes a carefully laid out set of destinations for visitors, including red kite viewing sites, activities and local businesses. The Galloway Kite Trail was set up following the successful re-introduction of red kites into Galloway after an absence of 130 years. These graceful birds were persecuted to extinction in Scotland in the 19th century but have now made a come back, with the estimated local population now standing at over 270 (2010).
Route details: The trail is an anticlockwise route of some twenty four miles around Loch Ken (winter) with an additional fourteen miles of forest drive (summer only). Being out on a bike is a great way to spot red kites and for the energetic, it's a reasonably level route, with cycle racks provided at Boat O Rhone, New Galloway and Mossdale. The west side of Loch Ken is particularly quiet and attractive for cyclists.
Go to the Red Kite Trail website.
Wildlife highlights: Greenland white-fronted and Icelandic greylag geese often winter on Loch Ken, as do whooper swans, wigeon, goldeneye and pintail duck, whilst mallard, goosander, teal and tufted duck are here all year. The woodlands contain flycatchers, great-spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, wood warblers and our shier willow tits.
Scotch Argus butterfly, which appears along sheltered roadside verges in late July/early August, during sunny weather.
Location: About 20 miles south west of Dumfries.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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