Festival Hopes for Record Breaking Wild Spring Homecoming

The Dumfries & Galloway Wild Spring Festival will welcome 39 species returning to their spring homes.

Wildlife experts are hoping for a record number of birds, insects, mammals and fish species to return to their spring home in Dumfries & Galloway this year. And to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014, the region’s Wild Spring Festival (taking place from 5 April to 5 May) is offering over 100 family-friendly events where participants could discover some of these species. Many of the events are free and most hosted by local wildlife guides and experts.

Wildlife watchers are being encouraged to look out for 39 bird, insect, mammal and fish species returning from their wintering quarters to Dumfries & Galloway this spring, one of the biggest wildlife homecomings in Scotland.

Peter Norman, Biodiversity Officer at Dumfries & Galloway Council said: “Dumfries & Galloway is teeming with wildlife all year round, but Spring offers the unique awe inspiring opportunity to see the return of a huge number of migrating wildlife species – some rare. This year we anticipate that the local Osprey population will continue to grow and, after good breeding season weather last summer, fingers are crossed for an increase in numbers of local Nightjars.”

Wilma Finlay, Chair of Destination Dumfries & Galloway said: “What better way to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014 than to come to home of so many migrating wildlife species during the spring months. The Wild Spring Festival’s many fun and unique festival events will get them up close to the wide array of mammals, birds, fish and other fauna.

“From Fulmar, Puffin, Guillemot and Osprey to Basking Sharks, Sea Trout and Salmon to Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow Butterflies – there is a wide array of migrating wildlife for families to discover together throughout Dumfries & Galloway.”

Festival events take place across Dumfries & Galloway and the recently designated Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, which recognizes the outstanding natural environment and the way in which the local community works to conserve it.