As the ospreys fly south for the winter, so do some of our staff! As autumn steals in the conservation ranger team is winding down, and with another successful bird breeding season over, we can look to other wildlife and conservation work for the winter. Here at Lowes the good work goes on all autumn and winter, however, and we leave you in the very capable hands of the dedicated Visitor Centre staff: Peter, Fiona, Rinchen and Stephen and Charlotte.

As Rinchen mentioned yesterday, I (Emma) am leaving to begin a new post as Warden at Caerlaverock in Dumfries (on the Solway Firth) where winter is the busiest time with 25,000 migratory geese overwintering there. So I am sure to be busy, and there is even a pair of ospreys nearby to fulfil my ‘osprey addiction’. Don’t worry I will be keeping in very close touch with Lowes- it has entranced me too!I just wanted to say thank you all for the wonderful insights and great ‘company’ on the blog this season- I have genuinely enjoyed sharing so much osprey talk with like minded folks, and especially meeting a few of you in person too. Thank you all for your kind words and wishes.Many of you won’t be aware that during the season on the seven reserves I cover, I have been ably assisted by four fantastic volunteer rangers who have done everything from osprey watch shifts, to weeding and surveys on reserves, and helping run events and research. They are a wonderful team who have my eternal gratitude and thanks- Laura, Anna, Andrew and Mathew , you are absolute stars! So much of the hard work in conservation often goes on out of sight and unsung, and I’m sure you will join me in thanking them, and wishing them the very best in their future conservation careers.Emma Rawling Perthshire Ranger