We are now open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm– the visitor centre team of staff and volunteers are always here to help and share their vast knowledge  of and enthusiasm for wildlife with you!

There is a definite feel of spring in the air here at Loch of the Lowes and we are all busy beavering away with preparations for another bird breeding season. This includes a huge amount of preparation for the ospreys arrival- the new HD nest camera is now streaming online so you can help keep a lookout for the birds. We have had to install a new camera as the old HD one did not survive the winter and had to be replaced.

The ospreys are not back from Africa yet– below is a table of their recent arrival dates so you know what to expect. The adults birds will probably be preparing to leave as we speak, on their 2-3 week migration journeys.  When they will arrive here really depends on the weather on route. We wish them luck, fair winds and safe journeys all!

Elsewhere on the loch, the Great Crested Grebe are already doing their elaborate courtship dances, and the Goldeneye duck are displaying too. The hazel catkins around the shore are coming into bloom and there are buds everywhere in the woods. The Red Squirrels are busy chasing each other, another courtship sign, and there are Brambling and Redpoll of the woodland feeding station in good numbers. There are even tits showing interest in nest boxes already!

Lastly, if you are interested in joining in with the 2014 Osprey nest protection watch, its not too late. We provide full training for anyone wishing to help protect these remarkable birds by doing hide shifts. A new volunteers induction day is on next Monday the 10th , 10am-12noon. If you’d like to join us  just email: ospreys@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk