Firstly, let me wish all our blog readers a Good New Year.
Well, 2014 has started the way that 2013 has ended, wet, wet, wet! With the amount of rain (plus a smidgen of snow) that we've had over the past few weeks, all the regular pools and scrapes are full, and there are a few unintended new ones as well.
Fortunately, the mild damp weather has not deterred our pair of White-tailed Eagles (2009 release birds male Turquoise X and female Turquoise H) from hanging around the loch, and sightings on Reed Bower, Castle Island or St Serf's are almost a daily occurrence. Who knows, we might have a nesting pair on the loch this year. Back to earth now, on the flood, large numbers of Whooper Swans have been congregating, up to 152 on the 16th of December, whilst in Vane Bay, similar large numbers of Goosanders have been regular visitors. A lone Canada Goose has been hanging around the bay, with what appears to be some damage to its right wing.
At the feeders, the usual conglomeration of finches and tits , with the occasional sighting of Redpolls (probably Lesser).
In the upstairs cafe, a new addition is our BookCycle second hand book stall, where you can pick up some light or heavy reading. All book donations are welcome, and all proceeds go directly towards maintaining RSPB Loch Leven reserve.