A misty morning on the loch soon developed into another baking day. Many species are keeping to the shaded areas of the reserve giving our visitors great sightings from the observation window in the visitor centre. Yellowhammers & tree creepers have been especially active around the feeders.

Today was a great celebration of our red squirrel population. Children have been busy constructing squirrel boxes & model dreys & learning about their behaviour throughout the year.

It has been a quiet day for our osprey pair today but our female chick, now 49 days old, has continued stretching & flapping her wings in preparation for her first flight in the coming days. There have been two fish delivered to the nest by the male so far today. I do not think it will be long before we see our female fishing too.

There was an extra special moment for me today, well half hour actually, when our male & female perched together on the Boing Branch. They both scanned the surface of the loch while the chick watched from the nest. There were a few nerve wracking moments as she jumped in & out of the nest centre, wings flapping.

Fallow deer have been sighted today crossing the inlet. The fawns have already lost their spots & are now very active.

In this hot weather, please remember your garden birds. A shallow container with water can be an absolute life saver.

Have you ever considered having a family portrait taken? Well now is the perfect opportunity! Professional Photographer, Dee Clarke, will be at Loch of the Lowes next Saturday, 27^th July 2013. All proceeds will go to the Loch of the Lowes Osprey Satellite Tracking Fund. Immediately after your portrait session, you will be able to view your images & select your favourite five to digitally download with a licence to print. The cost is £40 for SWT members or £45 for non-members. Booking is essential so please ring 01350 727337 or email lochofthelowes@swt.org.uk

With our female osprey chick preparing to fledge, now is the perfect time to visit us here at Loch of the Lowes especially with this great weather set to continue well into next week.

We look forward to meeting you….

Val Gall

Wildlife Interpretation Officer.