It’s a grey, chilly day here today. Low cloud shrouding the surrounding hills darkening the sky, while rain showers fall onto soaked grass, splashing where puddles fill hollows. There’s a Scottish word to describe this kind of day: dreich.

Despite the weather, the red squirrels, chaffinches, great, coal and blue tits are busily stocking up on energy in our feeding station. There were a few moments of panic among the small birds as they fled for cover when a sparrowhawk swooped in and perched for several seconds beside the feeders, After surveying the still, empty scene, the sparrowhawk took to the wing again and sped off towards the loch, expertly weaving between branches, before gaining even more speed over the open water to hunt further along the reserve.

Happily, the woodland birds soon returned and we were treated to a rare sight: 13 brilliantly coloured yellowhammers flew in as a flock. A welcome, sunny spectacle to brighten the day.

Whether rain, shine, snow or frost, the feeding station is always a hive of activity.

Snowdrops are flowering and other signs of Spring are appearing all around us. Have you seen snowdrops yet? Will we have more snow before the winter’s out? Will there be ice on the loch when the ospreys return this year? It won’t long, Osprey season starts next month when everyone’s eyes are to the skies to see what the year will bring!

We are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of the month and then, from 1st March, we’ll be open 7 days a week.

Cherry