Loch of the Lowes

Ospreys have left?
17 August 2019

A brief update – our ospreys have gone . . .  we think! It is always a very difficult call to make, especially with frequent intruder ospreys visiting Lowes, but these are the last confirmed sightings of our birds. Last positive ID of both juveniles on the nest was on Wednesday 14th at 11:32 and the last fish brought to the nest was on the same day at 19:17. With no definite sightings of PT5 after that time, we’re reasonably confident…

Controlling American mink at Loch of the Lowes
14 August 2019

What does 20th Century fashion have to do with wildlife conservation at Loch of the Lowes? Meet the American mink (Neovison vison): American mink © Darin Smith Mink are semi-aquatic predators from the mustelid family, the same group of animals as otters and pine martens. The mink’s coat, or more precisely, human’s desire to wear it, led to this non-native species being introduced to fur farms in the UK from North America in 1929. Mink are…

Invasive Garden Escapes
12 August 2019

Arrays of colourful, fragrant and exotic plants are often displayed in peoples’ gardens, creating a tranquil escape for their cultivators and attracting a monopoly of wildlife. But what happens when these plants escape outwith the realm of the humble garden? This threat is already upon us, with many unwanted invasive species being discovered within Trust’s reserves and their surrounding areas. Persistently seeking them out for removal, is a challenging but essential task in preventing the repercussions of invasive species out-competing…

Osprey Update
11 August 2019

Our young osprey are keeping us on our toes! Yesterday, PT4 was in evidence all day, either perched up on the silver birches, flying around or sitting on the nest deafening visitors with a constant barrage of demands to be fed. However, twice in the last week PT5 has disappeared from view for long periods of time, causing us to question if he has headed south. Then, he appears back in his usual perching spots and even favours us by…

Ranger Round-Up; Invasives, Thunderstorms and Poldark!
08 August 2019

No two days in the life of an assistant ranger are the same. Each day throws something new at us which means it never gets boring! We’ve spent a lot of time at the Tummel Shingle Island reserves working against the clock to control invasive species before they seed. The first task was to control the encroaching lupin which is threatening to stabilise the unique and dynamic shingle banks. Dead heading the flowers and digging up the fully grown plants…

50 years of Loch of the Lowes 1969 – 1971
05 August 2019

Loch of the Lowes was purchased 11th May 1969. It took 2 years to complete the purchase from the first time the idea was conceived to when the ink dried on the deeds. Postcard 1970s Loch of the Lowes Lowes was the first reserve that the Trust, then just 5 years young, had ever bought outright. Their other reserves were either leased or managed on behalf of the owners. Loch of the Lowes and fringing land…