Watson Bird Centre & Celebration: Feasibility Study

Feasibility study of establishing a bird centre and a series of events in Galloway, south west Scotland to celebrate the work of bird artist and writer Donald Watson and the scientific work on raptors of his son Jeff. Working with the Project Director, Roger Crofts, the three-month study assessed the market demand for the project, the levels of support in the local communities in The Glenkens area on Galloway, the potential partners, the use of existing facilities and the development of new ones. An overall vision was developed and a series of supporting objectives identified. The study concluded that a Watson Bird Centre should be developed in the former family home or on the adjacent site in St John’s Town of Dalry. A series of celebratory projects were identified and their development recommended.  The project should be taken forward through a specially established trust. Recommendations for other bodies operating facilities in the wider area were made. The project was funded by the LEADER programme for Rural Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Natural Heritage and the in kind contributions of the Project Director.