The harsh winter weather over New Year saw overnight temperatures plunge to -12C, with ‘daytime highs’ reaching a balmy -4C. The effect on the loch was stunning, the water being almost completely frozen over, forcing the swans, mallards, goldeneye, tufted ducks etc to share the only small space of open water. Otter tracks were seen on the slushy ice, fallow deer kept coming in to the feeding station to eat the seeds and red squirrels have been guzzling away at the peanut feeders as if they are going out of fashion.

It may appear to be quiet at Loch of the Lowes in these dark months, but we can assure you there is a great deal going on in the background. New seasonal staff are being recruited to the team as well as volunteers and we are working on plans for the coming season which will provide both protection for the breeding ospreys and interesting public events. There will be a wide of array of topics, from talks about ospreys and wildcats to interactive events about bumblebees, dragonflies, moths and red squirrels.

People’s Postcode Lottery Beaver Watches will start in April and, from the second week in March, all eyes will be to the skies to watch out for the return of our pair of ospreys. Will LM12 (the male) return for a seventh year? Will LF15 (our resident female) come back for a fourth year? Will they successfully raise young this year? We’ll just have to wait to find out! If you or someone you know would like to sign up to join our Osprey Watch (full training given), please contact us.

Also, please share the advert below to anyone who may be interested in working with us! (okay, I know I’m biased, but these are really fabulous job opportunities!)

Whatever the weather brings us for February, the days are getting longer and spring is round the corner. You can keep up to date with what’s happening on the reserve and upcoming events through Facebook Loch of the Lowes or Twitter @lochofthelowes. We all look forward to welcoming you to the reserve over the coming months.

Cherry Bowen