December is a brilliant time for birds on the wetland and there have been some unusual and exciting visitors recently. Two short eared owls were the first excitement of the week. Kingfishers, a female smew (known as a redhead), a green-winged teal, a stonechat, peregrines, goosanders and thousands of pink footed geese about continue to keep things interesting.
Now the leaves have fallen it's also a lovely time to appreciate the great visibility in the woodlands with red squirrels visiting the centre daily, robins and great spotted wood pecker tapping high above.
Freshly baked cakes, hot chocolate and soup wait for you in the cosy visitor centre. With the sale now on in the shop you can find great value special gifts and last minute stocking fillers, but without the rush of the busy high street or the need to brave the traffic.
For anyone interested in getting into environmental education we have a new internship opportunity with the learning team. For more info visit http://bit.ly/1Pac3Wh
If you plan on visiting on visiting over the festive season the visitor centre is open every from 10-4pm and cafe till 3pm, closing only on 25-26 Dec and 1-2 Jan. During the week between Christmas and New Year the centre shuts an hour earlier.
Photo credits: Short-eared owl - Lip Kee (Creative commons), Red Squirrel - Allan Brown (Loch Leven)