News and events around Galloway

W igtown's Ospreys are back for 2008! - 01/04/2008, the first osprey (male) was seen at the nest yesterday evening, It is male EP We hope that female H/D is on the way. 04/04/08 EP is currently adding nesting material to the nest. At last female H/D arrives 15/04/08 EP and H/D are getting on well and he is brining her in fish and attempting to mate, hopefully we will have some eggs this year and 07/05/08 three eggs laid!

Work has started on a project to double the size of one of Scotland's most important oak woodlands. A total of 62,000 saplings will be planted to extend the Wood of Cree reserve in Galloway. It is part of a project which will create 670 acres of new woodland in the area. It will create a 12-mile "habitat network" between Glentrool and Newton Stewart.

Friday 9th to Thursday 15th May 2008 newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk/ for a booking. 25 walk routes to choose from during our 7 day festival

• Fully guided walk routes for all abilities
• Hill routes guided by Galloway Mountain Rescue
• More linear, coastal and themed routes
• The return of some old favourite walking routes
• Social Events throughout the week

Saturday, May 10, 2008 Wood of Cree Dawn Chorus and Breakfast at 05:30 - 07:30 Location: Newton Stewart, Meet at the Car Park, RSPB Wood of Cree Cost: £2.50 per breakfast Contact: RSPB Tel: 01556 670 464. Celebrate the return of our spring migrants with an early morning walk in the woods - the best time to hear the birdsong. This will be followed by an optional bacon roll and hot cuppa. Sturdy footwear and suitable clothing essential. Booking essential.

Sunday, May 11, 2008 Mull of Galloway Guided Walk at 2pm - 15:00 Drummore, Mull of Galloway Visitor Centre Free event. Please ring reserve in the morning to check that the walk is going ahead. Contact: RSPB Tel: 01776 840 539 - Join us, weather permitting, on a guided walk of the Mull of Galloway, leaving from the visitor centre. Bring binoculars if you have them, suitable clothing and walking boots with good-grip soles.

Sunday, May 18, 2008 Birdsong and Wildflower Walk 09:00 - 12:00 Gatehouse of Fleet, Cream of Galloway Visitor Centre, contact: 01557 814 040. Walk the nature Trail at Cream of Galloway and listen to the spring warblers and migrant songbirds - and learn how to identify them. Walk down to "The Glen" and see the fine display of spring flowers. Bring stout shoes or walking boots, binoculars and guidebooks if you have them. www.creamogalloway.co.uk

Sunday 18 May Wigtownshire Yesteryear Transport & Machinery Club Annual Rally at Stranraer. Display of vehicles and machinery of years gone by. Free admission.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Bluebells at Camer at 14:00 - 16:00 Meet at the Picnic Site, Wood of Cree on back road from Minnigaff to Bargrennan. Contact: Cree Valley Community Woodland Trust Tel: 01671 401 423 Ancient woodland walk.

World Ceilidh May 22nd May 25th World Knockengorroch Festivals bring roots and world music to a quiet corner of Scotland, created with the express aim of rural regeneration in the Scottish uplands. - Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas. DG73TJ Tel: 01506832121 web site here

Friday, May 23rd Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival - May 31st Contact: A. Rogers Tel: 01387 260447. An exciting 9-day Festival offering music, theatre, literature, youth and children's events and films. www.dgartsfestival.org.uk

24th May 2008 Castle Douglas Food Town Day - Wendy Barrie will be at the Lochside Theatre on Friday 23rd May 2008, demonstrating and talking about our wonderful Scottish Food & Drink, and on Saturday she will help launch the Food Town Day. There will be many food related stalls, cookery demonstrations, tastings and fun events for all the family. Web Site: www.cd-foodtown.org

24 - 26th May - Dumfries and Galloway 'Spring Fling' Scotlands Premier art and studio event Make a weekend of it in dumfries and Galloway. Meet with the regions talented artists. 87 participents across southwest scotland www.spring-fling.co.uk

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Wildlife Photography Workshop 13:00 - 17:00 Cream of Galloway Tickets: £10.00 Booking essential Keith Kirk Tel: 01556 505 479. Join Galloway Wildlife Photographer and writer Keith Kirk for an introduction to the use of digital cameras in capturing the local wildlife.

A short presentation will be followed by a walk around Cream of Galloway's nature trails and the chance to put your skills to the test. Resulting photographs can then be discussed over tea and coffee at the visitor centre. Ideal for beginners or for those who wish to learn some new tricks of the trade. Bring a digital camera.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 Bat Night May 29 at 20:30 - 22:30 Gatehouse of Fleet, Meet: Cream of Galloway Visitor Centre Contact: Cream of Galloway Tel: 01557 814 040. Learn about the mysterious ways of bats with slides, fun activities and games. Follow it up with some real bat spotting in the woods.

Sunday June 1st - Trip to the Isle of Man. £29.95 from Garlieston Harbour. Leaves 10am back 9pm - Contact 0845 130 46 47 or buy tickets on board when you sail.

More Forest Park news, 7stanes mountain bike trails, etc here