We’ve had a real mix of weather at Loch of the Lowes in June. The month has brought everything from dark, wet, stormy weather to long, balmy days filled with midsummer light. For the visitor centre staff this translates into either a run on hot chocolate and dripping umbrellas, or lots of ice cream sales and lost sunglasses.

A trip to the countryside is a wonderful way to spend a summer day and the vast majority of our visitors respect wildlife and the peace of the loch and woodland. However, there is always an element of disruption.  This week we’ve dealt with intoxicated visitors, a fire (under trees beside the path), a motorised boat on the loch, litter and (my bugbear) poo bags thrown on the ground not far from the bin.

As the saying goes, “act like animals – leave only footprints.”

Osprey update

For those who haven’t seen this, here’s PH1, one of LM12 and LF15’s chicks from 2017, visiting Lowes last month.

On the osprey nest our two chicks are thriving. LF15 and LM12 are doing a wonderful job of protecting them from intruding ospreys, sheltering them from heavy rain (a struggle now they’re so big) and keeping a steady supply of fish going in to the nest.

It won’t be long before the young take their first flights. This is an exciting time to watch them learn to fly, practice their landing and perching skills (essential!) and master an exhilarating plunge into the water before pulling back up into the air.

The  woodland is filled with the chirps and calls of hungry fledglings and rich with scents of foliage, flowers and damp, fertile earth. Dragonflies and butterflies are out during hot spells, moths fluttering in the long, late evenings when it’s still light well after 10.30pm.

July at Loch of the Lowes

We have a super programme of events and, to avoid disappointment, booking is essential. Our People’ s Postcode Lottery Beaver Watches are held every Wednesday evening and members of Perth & District Beekeepers Association are coming along on Tuesday 9 July with an observation hive to show the industrious side of honey making.

They’ll give a talk and answer questions on bee-keeping and the importance of conserving all pollinators. They’re also bringing honey to sell!

If you’re local, or visiting the area on Thursday 18 July, an officer from Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels will be with us to give an evening talk about the population of reds in Tayside. The following evening, Friday 19 July, there’s a chance to learn how to use a bat detector and take part in a bat roost survey.

At the end of the month, ’Summer Tracks and Signs’ gives a whole day’s experience with a Woodland Ways Tracking Instructor showing how to distinguish footprints, foraging signs etc to discover local animals and birds.

All these events are listed and can be booked through our website or by calling the centre.

June has been busy but it looks like July will be even busier!

Hope to see you here.

Cherry