Red Kites in South West scotland

Theres good news on Red Kite numbers in South West Scotland.
The Red Kite - Latin name Milvus milvus - is a beautiful part of the local wildlife. It was sometimes called the gled, while elsewhere it was known as the crochet-tailed puttock. It has a reputation as a scavenger and one of its Gaelic names is clamhan (also applied to some other raptors such as the buzzard) which may associate it with gluttony.

In Dumfries and Galloway 17 years of red kite reintroduction have proved successful and is bringing economic benefits to the area.
The Galloway Kite Trail was set up three years ago by a partnership led by the RSPB Scotland, with funding from the local Making Tracks sustainable tourism project, the EU's Leader+ programme and Scottish Natural Heritage. It is estimated that the economic benefit could be worth more than £750,000 a year in terms of local tourist revenue, according to a new study by two Glasgow University students on placement with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland (RSPB Scotland). The trail, which links walks, viewing points and information boards around Loch Ken, is also supported by certain local businesses, such as hotels.

Chris Rollie, RSPB Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway area manager says he is delighted with the current red kite breeding figures for the area, now up to 14 successfully nesting pairs this year, producing 27 chicks. "The whole idea of creating the trail was in response to demand from both locals and visitors, who knew we had released kites in the area and wanted the best chance of seeing them," he says. "Now the birds are doing very well, with the population expanding, providing a superb spectacle for visitors and locals alike." And he adds that two thirds of visitors on the Kite Trail are from out with Scotland.
The success of the Red Kite reintroduction programme and the Red Kite Trail are great news for the local environment.