Hello, my name is Laura and I am one of the Masters students carrying out their research project at Loch of the Lowes. I am trying to determine whether supplementary feeding affects the density and behaviour of red squirrels by placing new feeding boxes at different points around the reserve. The results will be compared with the feeding station at the visitor centre and sites that do not contain any boxes.
I wake up at 5am, 2-3 days a week to arrive at the reserve for 6am. As you can imagine this is a difficult task for a student! I get up early because squirrels are most active in the morning and also again in the late afternoon. As with any wildlife it is sadly not guaranteed to see them at these times but it makes it all the more rewarding when they do appear. When waiting for squirrels in the woods I also get to enjoy other forms of nature such as the call of woodland birds and I get to follow deer tracks to minimise the chances of me getting stuck in the mud!
Researching at the Loch of the Lowes has been great so far and not only do I get to enjoy watching red squirrels but I am lucky enough to see the weekly changes of the baby osprey and observe the ducklings growing up. I would like to thank Emma and the team for all of their help and for being so welcoming.

Laura