''Wink wink''

The familiar 'wink wink' call of the pink-footed goose is with us once again - autumn is well and truly here. Large flocks of geese are moving around Loch Leven and the surrounding fields regularly providing wonderful spectacles throughout the day.

The first NNR goose count took place on Friday morning and, despite the iffy weather, the 5 people stationed around the loch counted a total of 8799 pinkies - slightly up on the same week in 2013. Greylag numbers were down by a couple of hundred, with 481 recorded in the gloom.

The geese have been very visible and very vocal in the last week and we're expecting more geese to be passing through. The 2013 peak was mid-October and peaked at just over 23,000, so we're all very excited to see what turns up this year. The next count is scheduled for the weekend of the 18th, so we'll update you with the results.

Other recent sightings have included the American wigeon, it's been about week since it's been spotted, but it's worth keeping an eye out on the loch amongst the gathering wildfowl. Flocks of lapwing and curlew continue to be seen on the loch shore and surrounding stubble fields, while a flock of around 70 linnet is moving around the reserve feeding in the disturbed areas. A small number of whooper swans have arrived, with a handful seen in Vane Bay last week, the numbers will continue to build in the coming weeks as they arrive from Iceland.

A little closer to the visitor centre, and right outside my window, 2 grey wagtails have been hanging out by the teaching pond. They've been skulking on the edge, dipping down onto the surface to feed and enjoying the easy pickings.