Today, Loch of the Lowes is alternately shimmering in brilliant sunshine and then flattening beneath pounding sleet and hail stones. Rainbows and dramatic cloud effects are delighting the brave, warmly dressed people who are visiting the hides (the Visitor Centre is closed today) and from time to time snow showers attempt to make the ground as white as the distant hills. A changeable day!

For those of you who remember our ‘fleece-ratings’: this is a 3 fleece, with intermittent white fleece warnings.

With all our thoughts now focused on the year ahead, we are very excited about our ongoing and upcoming projects in the Trust.

The Scottish Beaver Trial results await the decision from the Scottish Executive, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels requires constant, vigilant support from members, volunteers and staff alike to continue its good work. As well as taking care of 120 reserves, contributing to the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan, the Living Landscapes initiative and fighting for protection for Marine habitat and endangered species, we are also planning a full schedule of talks and activities in our Visitor Centres.

As you may have seen in the news, our Chief Executive, Jonny Hughes, is calling for the reintroduction of the Lynx. He said, “It is important that we all understand the potential benefits of bringing back the lynx to our woodland ecosystems, but also to our forestry and tourism industries. At the same time we should understand the challenges that this beautiful once native cat will bring with it.”

What would you like to see the Scottish Wildlife Trust do for Scotland? Please take a moment and consider the question and let us know?  (I am trying to add a link here to take you directly to the survey on this website but technology is flatly refusing to play fair! Apologies if this does not work!)

http://how-you-can-help/50-for-the-future-survey/ 

In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to meeting the new seasonal rangers and discovering what this year will bring. Will our famous female osprey, Lady, return? If she does, it will be her 25th year at Loch of the Lowes. Will her mate return? Whether we are protecting our usual breeding pair or a new ospreys, will there be chicks? And if so, will they fledge successfully? Exciting times!

Have a wonderful, safe and satisfying 2015, thank you for your support and let’s make this a great year for conservation!

Cherry