Good afternoon all,

Wildlife at Loch of the Lowes:

This week has seen the return of Goldeneye back onto the loch as well as Goosander as we enter the forthcoming winter months. In addition we have also seen both juvenile Little and Great crested grebes. Large numbers of Tufted duck are also a common sight on the loch. In addition, good numbers of Grey heron, Cormorants and mallards have been seen this week. Mute swans and Herring gulls have also been spotted on the loch.

Conservation work and sightings on the Perthshire reserves:

This week the conservation team has continued its management of the Perthshire reserves as the summer season draws to a close. At such a time, the practical day-to-day management of these sites will gradually be phased out with the onset of winter as planning begins for next year’s season.

The Conservation team would like to thank all of the volunteers who have contributed their time and effort to ensure that the Perthshire reserves remain as free as possible from invasive species. The likes of bracken and Himalayan balsam are a constant blight on these fragile habitats. Your work in recent years has made a huge, visual and ecological impact and has been very much appreciated.

Two visits were made to Balnaguard Glen this week. This was predominantly due to the fact that the bracken on the site is starting to spore and so management will recommence next year. Red squirrels and roe deer have been seen in the woodland here.

The sites containing the largest amount of Himalayan balsam have been very well managed this season and in previous years. This has meant that there is now very little evidence of the plant on these sites. Sightings on these reserves have included a dipper and fallow deer.

At the Keltneyburn meadow reserve, young willow trees have been removed to prevent the encroachment of larger plants into the wetland areas.

Perthshire Reserves Conservation Team