Anna Jemmett, Assistant Warden at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven, gives us an update on this year's breeding season and other news from the reserve.
We are approaching the end of the breeding season here at RSPB Loch Leven. Although we don’t have our final numbers yet, at this point it is looking like the waders are doing well. With plenty of lapwings around and broods of oystercatcher, redshank and snipe we are optimistic that this is going to be a good year. There are still chicks who have yet to fledge so now is the time to come and see them before they find their wings and take to the skies.
William, our seasonal volunteer took this lovely photo of one of our lapwing chicks. If you are also a budding photographer, or have a friend or family member who is, we have an event on that may interest you. On the 15th of July we are hosting our 3rd Annual Photomarathon. This sees teams taking on the challenge of taking 6 photos, of 6 topics, in 6 hours. This is open anyone, all ages and abilities are welcome. The winning portfolios will be displayed in our visitor centre. The topics are kept a surprise until the day, but who knows, you may get a chick picture yourself!
With the early spring sunshine and latterly plenty of rain the wild flowers have grown in force. This is good news for the invertebrates including butterflies, moths and bumblebees. Last week we saw a blaeberry bumblebee, which is one of the rarest in Scotland and was photographed by Glyn from our reserve volunteer team. As its name suggests it feeds on the blaeberry flowers. It is a mountain living species so lives up on Benarty Hill. But our blaeberry bumblebees are special, they also travel from the top of the hill to the bumblebee meadow to forage. That’s quite a journey for such a small creature! With the flowers in colourful bloom you can see the butterflies and bees feeding on the flower nectar. On a sunny day you can come and take a walk up the hill or through the Bumblebee Meadow and have a look for these tiny beautiful lives yourself.
With the schools breaking up for the summer we hope to see lots of you here getting out and enjoying nature. Throughout the summer holidays you can visit the reserve to take part in the Summer Holiday Wild Challenges. With different self led activities to try each day there is plenty to do. These are drop in sessions so there is no need to book. While you are here it’s worth dropping into the shop, with the summer sale on you might just grab yourself a bargain! And as always, the coffee is on and the scones are freshly made each day in the cafe. Summer holidays sorted.