It has been a glorious week-end at Loch of the Lowes! Clear blue skies, crisp white snow and frost sparkling to the top of every tree! A perfect Christmas Card scene.

While Fallow Deer roamed the reserve, eyeing visitors with curiosity, children learned interesting facts about them by taking part in our Deer Trail Quiz. This is a great time of year to be out and about and it was lovely to meet so many walkers enjoying the countryside.

On the loch, we have been treated to (among others) Mute Swans, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Goldeneye.  While at the feeding station, red squirrels delighted us with their agility, almost flying through the high bare branches before rushing down the tree trunks, headfirst, to skilfully lift the lids of the nut feeders and grab a tasty morsel.   Mallard ducks and pheasants kept a hopeful eye out for any scraps dropped by the host of woodland birds, vying with each other for nuts and seeds.

Not only were the Great Spotted Woodpeckers hammering away at the peanut feeders, they were also drumming in the woods! A bit early? Maybe, but they made a wonderful addition to the sound of birds chattering among the white landscape, gilded by the very low rays of the winter sun.

Please remember  – we are open next week-end, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am-4.00pm.

From all of us at the Loch of the Lowes, we wish you a very happy, safe and healthy New Year and hope to see you in 2015!

Cherry