We’ve had a busy and exciting week here at Loch of the Lowes. Following LF15’s first egg of the year being laid last Saturday, we’ve had a further two this week, on the 16^th and the 19^th. Ospreys incubate their eggs typically for 5-6 weeks, so we should expect chicks towards the end of May.

We are also very lucky to have a pair of mute swans that are nesting between our two hides. So far they have laid four eggs, one of which has been pushed out of the nest. We suspect this rejected egg was not viable or cracked. Mute swans do not incubate their eggs until their full clutch is laid, which consists typically of up to 13 eggs. We are therefore hoping for more eggs in the coming days, and look forward to when the cygnets emerge! We are very fortunate that the hides give us the chance to see the nest clearly, and it is worth a visit to see. As always, staying quiet on the paths and in the hides will be best for the nesting swans, as we don’t want to disturb them or stop them nesting from here in future years!

With the lighter evenings, this time of year is a great time to see beavers on our loch. Either sign up to one of our Beaverwatch events (on our website, in the centre, or by phone), or come along in the evening with your binoculars, as our double hide stays open all night. We’ve had some questions from our late night visitors regarding the sounds on the loch at night. These noises are most likely Canada geese, tawny owls, or black-headed gulls.

To finish this week we have had Trish from Viking Optical Ltd. here for our optics fair! Thank you for all the help she has given our visitors this Sunday, we look forward to seeing you again.

Exciting sightings at the loch this week include a brambling, a pied flycatcher, sand martins, displaying great crested grebe, and the pine marten! The pine marten has been seen in the day time most days this week, so if you are keen to see one of these elusive creatures, pop along soon to have the chance. Now is a great time to visit Loch of the Lowes to see nesting birds and our increasing number of summer migrants.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/LochoftheLowes) for all our updates and upcoming events.

Thanks for reading,

Olivia Cooper

Visitor Centre Assistant