Volunteering with the RSPB on the Galloway Kite Trail

This report was produced and published by RSPB Scotland in 2010 with funding support from Sulwath Connections, a partnership part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage, and delivered through Dumfries & Galloway Council.

RSPB Scotland is part of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.

All images and text © RSPB Scotland, 2010.

Pictures courtesy of: Calum Murray (front cover); Alison Robertson (inside front cover); Angus Hogg (page 1; inside back cover); George Christie (page 6 upper; page 7); Ian Saunders (page 6 lower; page 8); David Henderson (page 11).

Printed by Solway Offset the Printer, 11 Catherinefield Industrial Estate, Dumfries DG1 3PQ

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What fantastic birds, so close to them. Well worth the visit.

Well done to the volunteers. Great talk.Mr & Mrs Chisholm and family, Northumberland

(August 2006)

Between 2007 and 2010, with funding assistance from Sulwath Connections (Heritage Lottery Fund - HLF) and Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB have employed a full time Community Liaison Officer on the Galloway Kite Trail. This has facilitated the organisation and co-ordination of a band of dedicated volunteers from local communities in Dumfries & Galloway. This booklet tells the story of these volunteers, their activity and its value to wildlife and people in the area.

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The flying, gliding display of red kites during feeding was absolutely wonderful. I haven’t

seen anything as spectacular! Close up sightings were outstanding!

Mr & Mrs Bradley, Birmingham (June 2008)

The Galloway Kite TrailAfter an absence of 130 years, red kites are once more masters of the skies above Galloway. Their return is thanks to an exciting reintroduction project managed by RSPB Scotland in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and with logistical support from Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), Dumfries and Galloway Raptor Study Group, and local estates.

The reintroduction of the kites took place between 2001 and 2005, with a total of 104 young birds being released near Loch Ken. This area soon became a hot spot for sightings, and we decided to stimulate the enthusiasm of both locals and visitors for the kites by creating a wildlife viewing experience: The Galloway Kite Trail.

Launched in 2003, the trail is a carefully chosen mix of viewing sites and activities where people can see kites, and learn about their story. Set up and managed by RSPB Scotland with help from Anne Johnstone of Bellymack Hill Farm, Laurieston, the trail involves a growing number of local businesses and has attracted funding from SNH, FCS, HLF, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Making Tracks, a delivery organisation set up by Visit Scotland and LEADER+.

Volunteer ActivityMuch of the success of the Galloway Kite Trail, and indeed the kite re-introduction project, has been built on the effort of our volunteers. Across the UK, the RSPB has volunteers from 16 to 100 years old, who come from all walks of life and take part in a huge range of activities. Currently, more than 1,700 individuals from around Scotland give up a combined total of over 82,500 hours of their precious free

time to volunteer for the RSPB, making them essential to projects such as the Galloway Kite Trail.

Here, our dedicated band of helpers, from local communities in Dumfries & Galloway and neighbouring Ayrshire, have undertaken an impressive range of activities that help to connect the kites to local people, visitors, ornithologists, economists and politicians; and they’ve had a great time in the process!

Volunteer activity includes:1. Interpreting and promoting

kites and the local area at the kite feeding station.

2. Reading, identifying and recording wing tags.

3. Radio-tracking, identifying and recording kites.

4. Collating and analysing questionnaire feedback.

5. Tree climbing and nest monitoring.

6. Wing-tagging nestling kites.

7. Ringing and/or recording nestling kites.

8. Photographing kites and supplying images for their promotion.

9. Repairing and cleaning of interpretation

10. Promoting the work of the RSPB.

Our volunteersVolunteers have been essential to the kite reintroduction project from the outset, when members of the local raptor study group built the Secret Cages near Mossdale, now a popular feature on the Trail. Since then some 24 volunteers have assisted on and around the Trail itself.

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One of the highlights of the holiday – if not the highlight.Ms W Acres,

Darlington (Sept 2007)

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So good we are coming back in September when

the breeding pairs are feeding as well – money

well spent!Mrs A. Neal, Great Ayton

(April 2006)

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Great place and wildlife. Representative was so full

of information. Have always been interested in animal/bird

conservation but now even more so.

Ms K Semkin, Northallerton, North Yorks (Sept 2008)

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Volunteer Profiles

Marion volunteered on people engagement at the feeding station, where she provided a warm, friendly welcome and information on kites. ‘It is lovely to see so many people come and see the beauty of the kites. Meeting people and sharing their pleasure made me very happy.’ (Volunteer activity: 1,2)

Lives in Dumfries and became a placement student during her M.A. in Environmental Studies at Glasgow University Crichton Campus. Allison’s time with the kites led to further voluntary and paid work with RSPB at Mersehead and South Stack. ‘I enjoyed talking to people, enthusing and educating them about the red kites and liked the challenge of trying to read their wing tags. Volunteering helped me gain work experience after completing my degree.’ (Volunteer activity: 1,2,3,4,9,10)

Michael just loves kites and helping out on the project as well as taking on other surveys for the RSPB. He says: ‘The biggest reward is that I am contributing to the conservation of red kites and enjoy educating visitors about these birds, the importance of nature, conservation and its value. I decided to get involved directly rather than being an armchair conservationist.’ (Volunteer activity: 1,2,3,9,10)

Originally from Dalry in the Glenkens, Clare collated and analysed the questionnaire feedback for 2009. She loves kites and can often see them from her window at home - ‘It was great to see the kites close up at the feeding station and to enjoy them with visitors.’ (Volunteers activity:1,2,3,4,9)

Works at SAC Dairy Research Centre near Dumfries on a PhD research studentship with Edinburgh University. Stephen came to RSPB as a final year placement student from Glasgow University Crichton Campus, and immediately got involved in the full range of activities on the project. ‘Volunteering really rekindled a passion for birds and the outdoors as well as confirming my desire to make a career in the environment. No two days were the same, offering visitor interpretation at the feeding station or roaming the countryside to monitor breeding kites.’ (Volunteer activity: 1,2,3,4,8,9)

Marion Burden – A retired office worker, now living in Ashford, Kent.

Allison Davidson – Wildlife Attendant at Wigtown Ospreys with D&G Council.

Michael Cole – Runs an interior designs business and lives in Dumfries.

Clare Rollie – Final year honours student at St Andrews University.

Stephen Ross – Originally from Edinburgh and now living in Castle Douglas

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Additional assistance has been given by Paddy McDonald (1,2), Audrey Grieve (1,2), Ray Hawley (2), Ian Brown (5), David Hunt (8), Angus Hogg (8), David Henderson (8), Tony Simpson (8), Chris & Tim Everett (8), David Morris (8), Debbie Turska (8), Gordon Riddle (8), Karen McKenzie (1,2), Mick Durham (8), Andrew Orr (1,2,10) and Jean Southall (7). Angus McKay of GPX WEB kindly volunteered to build the original web site free of charge. Further support to the GKT has been given at the feeding station, where Anne Johnstone has received help from volunteers, particularly on open days, where they assist with parking, visitor guidance and other logistical support.

Ian has lived in Ayr for over 30 years. Now retired, he formerly worked in IT support at Ayr Hospital. Ian took some of the wonderful pictures in this booklet and has identified literally hundreds of kites over the years. ‘I have always been interested in birds, and I enjoy taking pictures of them and the satisfaction that comes from them being used towards their conservation and promotion.’ (Volunteer activity:1,2,8)

Originally from Newcastle, now retired, but formerly worked with the Magistrates Court Service. Jeff now takes on various roles on community council committees, the local church and golf club. ‘I’ve been interested in wildlife since my days as a boy scout, birds in particular. I enjoyed talking to visitors, promoting the RSPB, Galloway and the red kites. I also loved assisting the team at the feeding station.’ (Volunteer activity: 1,2,9,10)

Ciril is a bird of prey enthusiast and is responsible for goshawk and osprey monitoring in D&G with the raptor study group – all breeding ospreys in the region in 2010 were on platforms erected by Ciril! He also climbs to most of our kite nests during nest monitoring. ‘Kites are beautiful birds and it is great to be involved with such an important project. Their nests are fascinating and you never know quite what you will find, from tea towels to empty cigarette packets!’ (Volunteer activity: 5,7)

Living in Moniaive, Dumfriesshire, Colin is a member of the local raptor group and is a keen bird ringer with Solway Ringing Group, with specialist experience in fitting wing-tags and radio trackers to our nestling kites. ‘It is exciting and very fulfilling to be involved with this project that has brought these brilliant birds back to Dumfries & Galloway. It is most interesting to find out about the birds’ movements through reading wing tags and radio tracking.’(Volunteer activity: 2,3,6,7)

Ian Saunders – Originally from Northumberland.

Jeff Sutcliffe – Lives in Laurieston and sees kites every day.

Ciril Ostroznik – A tree surgeon from Ae Village in Dumfriesshire.

Colin Watret – Work Supervisor with Forestry Commission Scotland.

Volunteer Profiles

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ResultsAs well as providing experience, fulfilment, training and enjoyment for the volunteers themselves, voluntary activity has resulted in an impressive amount of information on both the kites and the people who come to see them. The following section details some of that information and shows just how valuable this help has been.

The KitesThe Trail was launched in October 2003, and this was also the year that kites first bred again in the region following an absence of around 130 years. Four pairs bred that year and one of these was successful in producing a fledged chick, Green Red Z. This bird, a female, went on to breed in 2005 and has since become one of the most prolific mothers in the Galloway population, producing 12 fledged young over the next 6 years. She is regularly seen by volunteers at the feeding station and was photographed there by Ian Saunders on 22 July 2010 (see page 6).

Thanks particularly to the dedicated voluntary assistance of Ciril Ostroznik and Colin Watret, co-ordinated by RSPB Red Kite Officers Kevin Duffy (2003-04) and George Christie (2005-10), the growing breeding population has been successfully monitored and the results contained in Table 1 make impressive reading.

Table 1 Breeding red kites in Dumfries and Galloway: 2003 – 2010Year Pairs

locatedPairs laying eggs

Pairs hatching

eggs

Pairs fledging young

% pairs laying that

fledged young

Total young

fledged

Productivity young/laying

pair

2003 4 4 1 1 25 1 0.25

2004 7 3 2 2 66 3 1

2005 14 12 10 10 83 18 1.5

2006 19 17 14 14 82 27 1.59

2007 22 21 19 19 90 38 1.81

2008 32 30 26 25 83 53 1.77

2009 41 40 33 31 77.5 58 1.45

2010 52 51 49 47 92 98 1.92

Total 191 178 154 149 83.7 296 1.66

This information is vital to our knowledge of the developing population and simply could not have been obtained without the help of volunteers. Radio tracking and wing tag readings at the feeding station and elsewhere around the Trail have thus enabled us to build a picture of survival and movements,

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which has then been communicated to local communities and visitors to the area. The combination of this fascinating knowledge and spectacular views of kites at the feeding station and elsewhere really adds to the overall red kite experience.

This tracking of survival and movements is all made possible by the fitting of coloured plastic wing tags and tiny radio transmitters to nestling kites. These do no harm to the birds, but do allow us to identify them and record what they get up to by way of breeding and movements. Similarly, working in co-operation with other kite release projects in the UK, we have been able to pass on information on visiting kites and have received some information back on our own wanderers, but the Galloway Kite Trail is quite unique in the sheer amount of information generated in this way. This has only been possible due to the help of volunteers, and is so valuable in telling the story of these wonderful birds.

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What an amazing spectacle. The

information was well presented and the volunteer very knowledgeable.

Thanks.Mrs E Marillier, Blyth,

Northumberland (Jan 2009)

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Table 4 Left wing tag colours for kites from different areas

Release Area Left tag colour (first year of release)

Chilterns Yellow (1989)

North Scotland Sky blue (1989)

East Midlands White (1995)

Central Scotland Red (1996)

Yorkshire Orange (1999)

Galloway Green (2001)

Gateshead (Northern Kites) Pink (2004)

Aberdeen Purple (2007)

Ireland Pale blue (2007)

Northern Ireland Brown (2008)

Wales Black (native population)

Cumbria Orange (2010)

“ ”I want wings!Mr and Mrs Payn,

Carlisle (April 2006)

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The Galloway Kite Trail is absolutely amazing and it is inspiring to really see conservation practices working

and making a difference. Miss E Watson, W Yorks (Oct 2008)

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Kite movementsThe combination of wing tag colours and symbols allows observers to identify individual birds and their areas of origin. Radio-tracking allows movements of birds to be followed even when they can’t be seen. Naturally, most of the birds identified individually are from the Galloway population, but now and again a stranger appears and there is always great excitement at the feeding station when this happens.

Most wandering kites that arrive in the region are from the other Scottish release sites in North and Central Scotland or Aberdeen. However, at least two Welsh kites have found their way to the feeding station, and a bird from Yorkshire made a brief appearance near Canonbie before continuing north to breed near Doune in Perthshire.

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This visit has made our holiday – excellent and learnt

so much too!Mrs A Baynton, Kidderminster

(Aug 2007)

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An amazing spectacle to witness so many of these beautiful birds so closely –

a wonderful experience! Thank you.

Mrs C Cross, Stockton on Tees (Oct 2008)

Table 5 Movements of red kites to Dumfries & Galloway 2001-2010Kite Natal year and origin Arrived in

D&GLast seen in D&G

Comments

Blue Red K 2003 North Scotland 6 Oct 2003 Only sighting Arrived on day of GKT launch!

Blue Red F 2003 North Scotland 21 Oct 2003 12 April 2004 Seen at feeding station

Orange White 5 2002 Yorkshire 9 Nov 2003(Canonbie)

15 Nov 2003 Now breeds in Central Scotland

Blue Yellow 70 2004 North Scotland 24 Sept 2004 31 Mar 2005 Stayed all winter

Red Yellow 19 2004 Central Scotland 13 July 2005 14 July 2005 Crieff, 19 Sep 2005

Blue Yellow 73 2004 North Scotland 18 Oct 2004 14 Apr 2005 Stayed all winter

Blue Yellow 53 2004 North Scotland 2 Apr 2006 Bred in 2006 Still present and breeding

Blue yellow 95 2004 North Scotland 18 Oct 2004 4 Mar 2005 Stayed all winter

Red Orange 50 2005 Central Scotland 2 Nov 2005 21 Mar 2006 Back in Central by 29 Mar 2006

Red Orange 52 2005 Central Scotland 15 Nov 2005 20 Mar 2006 Central 13 Feb 2007; still there

Blue Orange # 2005 Central Scotland 10 Jan 2006 10 May 2006 Gatehouse area

Red Green 2J 2006 Central Scotland 20 Sep 2007 Bred in 2008, 2009

Still present?

Black Green X 2006 Wales 15 Dec 2007 27 Feb 2009 Bred in 2008

Red Purple X4 2007 Central Scotland 28 Sep 2007 7 Oct 2007 Seen at feeding station

Purple Purple 2 2007 Aberdeen 28 Oct 2007 27 Feb 2008 Seen at feeding station

Purple Purple 26 2007 Aberdeen 16 Oct 2007 Central Apr 2008

Galloway Jul 08 to 14 Mar 2009

Blue PurpleRed Bar

2007 North Scotland 19 Sep 2007 29 Mar 2008 Seen at feeding station

Black Purple V8 2007 Wales 11 Oct 2007 19 Jan 2008 Dead, Derby Apr 2009

Purple Black 57 2008 Aberdeen 4 Jun 2009 5 June 2009 Seen at feeding station

Purple Pink A2 2009 Aberdeen 20 Jan 2010 13 May 2010 Seen at feeding station

Purple Pink A3 2009 Aberdeen 14 Jan 2010 26 May 2010 Seen at feeding station

Red Pink K9 2009 Central Scotland 1 Nov 2009 10 May 2010 Seen at feeding station

Blue Pink z 2009 North Scotland 30 Dec 2009 3 Apr 2010 Seen at feeding station

Blue Pink ? 2009 North Scotland 9 Jan 2010 21 Apr 2010 Seen at feeding station

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Table 6 Movements of red kites from Dumfries & Galloway 2001-2010

Kite Fledged Last in D&G Dispersal area Comments

Green Blue S 2001 Autumn 2001 Kintyre Found dead 1 Nov 01

Green Blue 4 2001 25 Nov 2002; then 9/12/03 till 4/2/04

Central Scotland

Bred in Central in 2003 – 07, but bred in Galloway 2008-2010

Green White 5 2002 20/8/02 Central Scotland

Bred there ever since

Green Orange 122

2005 Autumn 2005 Barrhill, Ayrshire

Last seen 14 Sep 2009

Green Orange 111

2005 3 Apr 2006 N.Wales 22 and 28 Apr 2006

Galloway 31 Jul 2006 and still present

Green Orange 117

2005 22 Jun 06 Central Scotland 19/9/06 - 21/1/07

Galloway 24 Jan 07; back to Central Feb 07 to date

Green Green G 2006 27 Jul 06 Harrrogate 2/1/07 - 14/2/07

Galloway 23/3/07 - 25/4/07

Green Green 4 2006 Summer 2006 Langleydale 25 Nov 2006

Galloway 9/5/07; then Gateshead Nov 07 on

Green Green R 2006 7 Jul 2006 Derwent Valley4 Sep 2006

Galloway 20 Dec 2009 and bred here in 2010

Green Green E 2006 9 April 2007 Gigrin, Wales 16 Sep 2007

Galloway by 25 Mar 2008 and still present

Green Purple 10

2007 26 July 2007 Gateshead Seen on 17 Sep 2007 and still there on 31 Aug 08

Green Purple W 2007 11 June 2008 Glen Quaich, Perth 27/8/08

Back in Galloway by 13 Sep 2008 and still here

Untagged 884 2008 26 June 2009 Crieff, 1 Sep 2009

Galloway by 10 Sep 2009

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Probably the most remarkable of our own wandering kites is Green Blue 4, a Chilterns bird released in Galloway from the Secret Cages in 2001. This bird went to Central Scotland some time after 25 November 2002 and bred there in 2003, fledging 3 young. However, it was seen back in Galloway later that year on 9 December, before returning to Central to breed successfully in four out of five years until 2007. Then, remarkably, it returned to breed successfully in Galloway in 2008-10. Such switching between areas of a breeding kite has not been recorded before.

Green Green E, a 2006 Galloway bred female stayed around for a year until 9 April 2007. A few days later, it was seen at Gigrin feeding station in Wales and stayed there for a year, before returning to Galloway again on 25 March 2008. She is still in Galloway but has not been found breeding so far.

Black Green X, a 2006 Welsh bird, which was seen regularly at the feeding station, laid eggs in Galloway in 2008. This was the first known breeding of a Welsh kite in Scotland. Unfortunately, however, her mate was a bigamous male who had another female and the nest failed soon after the eggs hatched. Her whereabouts are currently unknown. She may have gone back to Wales, or she may still be breeding at an unknown site in Dumfries & Galloway.

‘We are, of course, becoming more adept at identifying them (kites), especially with Calum and his band of enthusiastic volunteers at the feeding station. The recording of these movements is a valuable insight into the behaviour of dispersing red kites.’ (George Christie, Red Kite Officer, 2007)

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Great views and great commentary

from very keen RSPB agent and volunteer.Mr P Clarke, Prudhoe,

Northumberland (Aug 2008)

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Chart 7: Trend in total spend in D&G attributable to the GKT, 2004 - 2009

PeopleSince the Sulwath Connections project began, the Community Liaison Officer and volunteers have engaged directly with over 17,000 people on the kite trail. It is fair to say that the project has had a huge impact on the area, from the enjoyment that these marvellous birds have brought to local people and visitors, to the economic benefits that have derived from the latter. Some 700 feedback questionnaires have been received from trail visitors and collation and analysis of these by volunteer placement students has provided a wealth of information on people’s origins, profile, spending patterns and enjoyment. In 2010, the RSPB’s economics team applied Scottish Government figures and industry standard methodologies to take a closer look at the economic benefits of the trail to Dumfries & Galloway.

Acknowledgements

Firstly, we are grateful to all of the volunteers on the Trail who have added so much value to the kite project overall. Special thanks also to Anne Johnstone and Pam Ryman at Bellymack Hill Farm feeding station, who have been welcoming and helpful to the Community Liaison Officer and volunteers. The people of Dumfries & Galloway are justifiably proud of their kites and have really taken them to their hearts; their support and engagement in the project are appreciated. None of this work would have been possible without considerable funding support from many organisations and individuals and we are most grateful to all of them.

Chris Rollie, RSPB Area Manager, Dumfries & Galloway.

The European Agricultural Fundfor Rural Development:Europe investing in rural areas

RSPB Scotland is part of the RSPB, which speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.

Galloway Kite TrailThis to me is an outstanding example of how a modestly

funded project, the initial focus of which centered on wildlife, interpretation and enjoyment of rural Dumfries & Galloway, can be transformed into a wildlife tourism project that brings long term sustainable benefits to a wide range of local community and business interests.

Riddell Graham, Director of Partnerships, VisitScotland.

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