Did you know, Loch of the Lowes is amongst the top places in Scotland to view Red Squirrels?
More than seven individual squirrels come in to our feeding station (we tell them apart by their differently coloured tails). Some people have never seen a red squirrel before, others remember them hazily from childhoods of the 1940s-60s because their dwindling numbers mean most people never have a chance to see them. Looking out onto our feeding station (and surrounding woodland) gives excellent opportunities for close up photos of them leaping through the trees, charging headfirst down tree trunks or sitting calmly munching nuts in typical ‘squirrel pose’.

It is always a pleasure to hear the cries of delight from visitors when they first glimpse these little russet animals. Even staff and regular volunteers who see them every day, never take a red squirrel sighting for granted.
So, how are Red Squirrels doing in Tayside? Further south in Scotland an outbreak of the pox (a virus carried by Grey Squirrels) has been reported in the Solway area which is being urgently addressed by Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) officers and volunteers. Red squirrels die within days of contracting the pox.
What is being done to save these iconic, plume-eared arboreal creatures whose numbers have plummeted across the entire UK?
On Thursday 18th July (19:00 – 21:00) Join a Conservation Officer from SSRS at Loch of the Lowes for an evening talk about “Red Squirrels in Tayside”. This is a great opportunity to have your questions answered, hear the project’s latest news and, if you wish to take part, discover how you can play a vital role in securing the future of our reds.

This is a FREE event but booking is essential. Book your free place
There are still some places available on the Woodland Ways Summer Tracks and Signs Walk on Tuesday 23rd July, 10.30am-3pm. Wear outdoor clothes, sturdy boots and spend a great day with Stuart Wedge a Woodland Ways Tracking Instructor. He will teach ways to identify the tell-tale indications of local wildlife while discovering the differences in skulls, footprints and feeding For further information and to book, call the Visitor Centre (01350 727337) or go online Book for Woodland Ways
We are all gearing up for the week-end of 3rd / 4th August when entry to the Visitor Centre will be free to everyone to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! More details to come.
Cherry