Wigtown Bay Wildfowlers Club was formed by the local wildfowling community to promote the establishment of a Local Nature Reserve on Wigtown Bay, which would take into consideration the tradition of wildfowling on the Bay and safeguard its future. To that end, the Club’s Committee entered into lengthy negotiations which eventually resulted in the formation of the Local Nature Reserve (LNR) on Wigtown Bay.
Members of Wigtown Bay Wildfowling Club after attending a Wardening Training Course, patrol the Bay at flight times to ensure compliance with LNR Byelaws and accepted wildfowling codes of practice, to advise wildfowlers and to help, should anyone be in difficulty on the Bay.
W.B.W.C. runs an annual ‘Young Shots Day’ to encourage and educate young would be wildfowlers. Practical instruction is given in gun safety, marsh etiquette and clay pigeon marksmanship by fully qualified instructors. The course is also an opportunity to instil the ideals of responsible wildfowling to ensure a continued high standard of behaviour on the marsh.
Through the BASC funded W.H.T. fund and SNH the Club was able to secure loans to buy 140 acres of foreshore, 40 acres of this ground has been used to create a successful wetland conservation area. This area provides habitat for wildfowl to breed during the summer and a safe haven to feed during the winter.
The Clubs Committee has further conservation work under discussion and will continue to contribute to the diverse habitat of the Bay for the benefit of its wildfowl population.