“I consider myself very fortunate for volunteering with the Scottish Wildlife Trust in Loch of the Lowes, it has been a great experience thanks to ranger Emma, the staff and volunteers. Like a migratory bird, I arrived late in winter and stayed by the Loch for a while, migrating again at the end of the term. But my nest is not far away, as the experience I got in Loch of the Lowes helped me to find a job in conservation. I have enjoyed every minute spent as Winter Ranger Assistant, learning about the Scottish wildlife, visiting the reserves and helping at the Visitor Centre where I could see many different species such as chaffinches, bramblings, siskins, redpolls, woodpeckers or red squirrels. My favourite birds where in the loch, though, goldeneye and great crested grebes performing the courtship display, beautiful. Seeing the aurora borealis from the hides is a unique experience I will never forget and I even loved my work in the office, researching, entering data and drawing red squirrels for the exhibition! I am sure I will come back to see the ospreys this season because… who wouldn’t?  SARA “