What a change in the weather!

Instead of wall to wall sunshine, barely a breeze shimmering on the water’s surface and lazy, dusty days of fluttering butterflies and birdsong – the rain has arrived.

Thunderstorms brought the first wave of thick billowing cloud, and when this moved through we were allowed a few days of brilliant sunshine.  Now the skies are grey with heavy rain clouds and the hilltops are shrouded in mist.

However, this is actually very good news for our wildlife. The red squirrels seem refreshed and are bounding around the trees while overhead, dozens of swifts (more than we have seen in years) are screaming and swirling in a dizzying display.  Jays, redstarts, whitethroats and our usual crowd of woodland birds are singing loudly through the rain and the scented wildflowers and hedgerows are bouncing under a deluge of fat raindrops. The earth needed a good soaking and it is certainly getting it now!

Yesterday (Sat 11th June) visitors in the hides were treated to the rare sight of a female Marsh Harrier swooping over the reed beds beneath the osprey nest. One of our volunteers had a camera to hand and we may have a photo to post soon.

Our three osprey chicks are growing fast. LF15 seamlessly changed her duties from perching at the side and shading her chicks from overheating, to spreading her wings over them to keep them dry. LM12 surpassed himself by catching TWO FISH in one dive, rising from the loch with a fish clamped in his talons on each foot! We knew he was an excellent provider but this stunning achievement raised him even higher in our estimation. Thrilling for those in the hides, especially one young boy whose amazement was a joy to behold.

It is hard to believe that we are nearly at Midsummer. If you are in the area next week-end please come along to our Wildlife at Midsummer Solstice event which will be running over the Saturday and Sunday.

Cherry