This weekend the assistant ranger team decided to brave the September cold, and enjoy a sunrise at the Loch of Lowes. Armed with blankets and flasks of tea, we made our way over to the hide just after six in the morning. As we approached we were surprised to hear a nibbling noise just to the left of the main hides. To our delight right there on the shoreline was a beaver, chewing away on a branch!

After watching the beaver enjoy its breakfast we settled into the hide where, as always, the view was spectacular. On the loch were a number of mallard ducks, mute swans, and a great crested grebe meandering along. All was rather tranquil until overhead a flock of honking geese passed by.

Soon enough the sun begun to appear over the horizon, creating an array of beautiful reflections along the water’s surface.

Just outside the visitor centre, other wildlife was stirring with the red squirrels jumping from branch to branch, and fallow deer coming out onto the meadow to graze.

The nearby golf course was also looking very photogenic, with the morning dew lit up by the sun, and a mist rising above the trees.

Despite being rather a night owl myself, I feel quite won over by experience, and will definitely try to get out and enjoy the dawn more often. With the hides being open 24/7 why not come along and give it a go yourself!

– Rosie Hurley (Assistant Ranger)