With red kites now thriving across Dumfries and Galloway, RSPB Scotland is stepping back from the Galloway Kite Trail and handing over its on-going management to local businesses.

Founded in October 2003, The Galloway Kite Trail was set up by RSPB Scotland in a partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland and Bellymack Hill Farm. It was created as a community-based wildlife viewing initiative to help raise public awareness of red kites and promote Dumfries and Galloway as a visitor destination.

Red kites were locally extinct in Dumfries and Galloway until 2001 when they were brought back through a re-introduction programme that ran until 2005. There are now around 130 pairs breeding throughout all vice-counties in the region, and over 1000 chicks have fledged in the wild since the project began.

Across the UK, where other successful re-introductions have also taken place, the red kite has gone from a red-listed bird, the highest level of conservation concern, to a green listed bird, the lowest level. Incidents of illegal persecution against kites are still recorded, but their population is stable and growing, and it is hoped that they will continue to spread.

RSPB Scotland’s Calum Murray worked as a community liaison officer on the project for over 12 years. He said: “The Galloway Kite Trail has been a huge part of my life, and it’s been a privilege to be involved in something so worthwhile, with so many tangible and knock-on benefits for wildlife and for people. It’s also been a pleasure working with the businesses and landowners involved, who have all contributed to the trail’s success as a visitor attraction and will, I’m sure, continue to support it. “It’s definitely sad to be stepping back, but as a conservation charity, the RSPB has to prioritise its efforts based on the needs of species and habitats. We’ll continue to monitor the red kite population in Dumfries and Galloway, and we’ll help to support nature-based tourism through other projects, such as our work at Mersehead and the Mull of Galloway.”

One of the aims of the Galloway Kite Trail was to use nature-based tourism to support local businesses and land owners following the devastating impacts of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

An economic survey carried out annually by the RSPB between 2004 and 2015 found that visitors to the trail spent an estimated £54.6m in Dumfries and Galloway, with £8.2m directly attributable to people visiting the area to see the kites. In the same period, the trail attracted over 100,000 visitors and supported, on average, the equivalent of 19 full-time jobs every year.

The Galloway Kite Trail will continue to operate through a leaflet – which can be picked up at local venues – signs, and interpretation at sites around the trail.