Game Park Plantation

Wood, Forest in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Game Park Plantation

Bellymack Fields A large modern [post-2010] house on the B795 just east of Laurieston. — Bellymack Fields Credit: M J Richardson

Game Park Plantation is a sprawling forest located in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 1,000 acres, the plantation is a mix of native woodland and carefully managed commercial forests. The forest is home to a variety of tree species, including oak, beech, and pine, as well as a diverse range of wildlife such as deer, red squirrels, and various bird species.

The plantation is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, offering numerous walking trails and paths for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking, birdwatching, and photography in the tranquil surroundings of the forest. The forest is well-maintained and managed by forestry professionals, ensuring the sustainability of the woodland for future generations.

Game Park Plantation is not only a recreational space but also serves as an important habitat for wildlife and contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in the region. The forest plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Overall, Game Park Plantation is a valuable natural resource that provides both ecological benefits and recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.

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Game Park Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.959427/-4.0339568 or Grid Reference NX6964. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bellymack Fields

A large modern [post-2010] house on the B795 just east of Laurieston.

M J Richardson

Rough ground near Bellymack Fields

Wet and rushy, with a small drain.

M J Richardson

Rough grazing near Bellymack Cottage

With a line of bushes along a drain.

M J Richardson

Kirk Road, Laurieston

A 'no through road' to Dornell Loch. The nearest church is in NX7266.

M J Richardson

Gallery and cafe, Laurieston

Richard Webb

Game Park Plantation

Richard Webb

B795, Bellymack Moss

The wooded hills above Laurieston are in the background after the road crosses farmland and small woods near the outflow of Loch Ken.

Richard Webb

Bellymack Hill entrance

There is a kite feeding station here and it sounded a bit like a sheepdog trial with the kites whistling from the surrounding trees.

Richard Webb

Red kite at feeding station

Taken soon after they opened

David Pashley

Mum and Kid at red kite feeding station

Red kites were once common scavengers around our cities, feeding on scraps and carrion. They were, however, persecuted in the 19C, wrongly thought to take lambs and game. By 1880 only a dozen or so remained in the UK, in valleys in mid-Wales. In 1989 a reintroduction programme was launched and 104 red kites were released in Galloway between 2001 and 2005. They are now well established and have bred since 2003 with increasing success, with 18 young fledging in 2003 to 104 in 2011, and from 4 to 58 nesting pairs over the same period. There are now about 320 in the area. They are encouraged by a feeding station near Laurieston at Bellymack Hill Farm, and large numbers can be seen and heard calling every day as they gather in the trees and wheel about making their whistling calls, waiting for the daily feed at 2pm [road kill and chicken]. For more information see the Galloway Kite Trail and RSPB links – Link