After several dramatic storms over the last week, we are relieved to say that there has been no serious damage to the Loch of the Lowes reserve or Visitor Centre. Instead of lashing rain and high winds, we are now being treated to blue sky and sunshine sparkling off snow and ice.

The loch, as you can see from the photos below and on the webcam, is almost completely frozen. It is looking stunning with a good covering of snow on top but the goldeneye and tufted ducks are making use of a small area of open water. The sight of mallard ducks stumbling and sliding as they run about on top of the ice is the cause of much hilarity amongst visitors!

New Season – if you or anyone you know would like the opportunity to work at Lowes, please have a look at the Job vacancies page on the Scottish Wildlife Trust website. Seasonal positions are now being advertised, both for the reserve and in the Visitor Centre.

The weather forecast for the coming week is for even lower temperatures (it is minus 4 degrees C here at the moment – warranting a 3 fleece rating!) and the feeding station is full of woodland birds and red squirrels. It is very important to keep feeders filled during these bitter spells and also to ensure there is fresh water available.

Please come up and enjoy some ‘warm winter wildlife watching’ in the visitor centre, open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cherry