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New twitcher viewing facility
12/09/2008
Birdwatchers coming to the South of Scotland will benefit from a new wildlife viewing hide at Carlingwark Loch, near Castle Douglas.
The hide, opened by Environment Minister Michael Russell today, will give visitors excellent views of local birds, including swans, pochard, tufted duck, wigeon and goldeneye.
Mr Russell said:
"Carlingwark Loch is an excellent example of a wetland bird habitat and its botanical and ornithological interest merits its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
"The new hide will increase the educational and recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors to the area and it is hoped that local schools will also take advantage of the new facility and bring our children closer to nature.
"Fascinating information panels have been also produced for nearby, providing valuable information on the area's biodiversity including the numerous species such as swans and various breeds of ducks and wildfowl that nest around the Loch.
"Of particular interest to birdwatchers is likely to be the arrival in the area of the first breeding spoonbills to be seen in Scotland for over 300 years.
"The new hide is a credit to Carlingwark Loch Advisory Management Committee and Dumfries and Galloway Council and I am delighted to be able to open it today."
Carlingwark Loch is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is well known for its wintering wildfowl in particular ducks and swans. With an increase in nature tourism and the benefits it brings by attracting visitors in the out off season months Carlingwark Loch will now feature as one of the many viewing destinations. The hide will provide shelter in the cold wet winter days. It is also hoped that nearby schools will take advantage of these improved facilities to expand the learning experience and bring our children closer to nature.
Spoonbills are tall white water birds with long spatulate black bills and long black legs. In flight they fly with necks and legs extended, in the water they feed with elegant sideward sweeps of their bill. In the breeding season adults show some yellow on their breast and bill tip. The species is of European conservation concern and a very rare breeding bird in the UK. An adult pair have raised and fledged three chicks on Kirkcudbright Bay in Dumfries and Galloway 2008. It is only the second time that spoonbills have bred in the UK after a pair nested successfully on the Ribble Estuary in Lancashire in 1998, which was the first successful breeding attempt for 330 years. 3 chicks fledged successfully.