UpdateWe're really pleased to annouce that thanks to you, our supporters, we are now the proud owners of our 209th nature reserve: the Crook of Baldoon.
However, this is just the start of our journey. To transform this spectacular stretch of coastal wetland into an exciting new nature reserve for birds, wildlife and people, we have lots of work still to do. And your continued support for the ongoing management of this reserve will help us reach this goal. The Crook of Baldoon is a strip of unspoilt land on the westerly coast of Wigtown Bay, Dumfries and Galloway, that teems with wildlife throughout the year. In spring, you'll find waves of curlews, golden plovers and dunlins mixing with whimbrels and black-tailed godwits to feast on the mudflats and saltmarsh that crawl with worms, molluscs and crustaceans, while in winter, thousands of geese, ducks and whooper swans (nearly 200 at the last count) stop off to refuel after long journeys from Iceland, Scandinavia, Northern Russia and Greenland. Ospreys and peregrines also regularly patrol over Baldoon, while otters play in the bay, and Atlantic salmon, sea trout and lamprey migrate to the estuary as they have done for thousands of years. This really is a vital haven for wildlife. What do we hope to achieve?We will be conserving and enhancing the rich landscapes and habitats that already exist, helping provide a rich food source for exhausted migrating birds, and boosting breeding opportunities for waders. Across the UK, estuary development has greatly reduced the number of places where wading birds can breed, so any chance we have to reverse this trend is precious. Two small nature reserves that neighbour our purchase have already been successful in attracting breeding waders and ducks back to the area - we will be looking to reproduce and complement this achievement on a much bigger scale. We'll also be working closely with the local community to improve access to the site, and hope that by bringing more visitors to the area, our reserve will benefit the local economy. | A gift from you today will help us manage this vital new nature reserve for thousands of birds in a stunning part of south west Scotland. Our targetWith your help we need to raise £60,000 Why we need your helpWith your help, we can turn the Crook of Baldoon into one of our most spectacular nature reserves - a refuge and feeding area for tens of thousands of birds.
A gift from you today will allow us to create areas of shallow pools and temporary floods (ideal as nesting sites for waders), protect the mudflats that are such a vital food source, and help us inspire and inform visitors to this new nature reserve.
Please support us in protecting this magical place. |
3 ways to donate
You can donate by secure online form, by telephone or by post.
1. Secure online form
Donating online is easy and ensures that more of your money is used for conservation.
2. By telephone
Our Membership Services team can also take donations over the phone.
01767 693 680
9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
3. By post
We can accept donations by cheque too. Please make cheques payable to The RSPB and send them to:
Crook of Baldoon appeal
The RSPB
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL
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