RSPB Scotland Loch Leven's writer in residence Anita John brings us news from the reserve along with wildlife sightings and upcoming events. Anita is a poet and author who is helping to gather stories of the reserve in 2017 as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Delighted to have my first-ever sighting of a lapwing chick at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven today. So far ten lapwing chicks have been spotted in the Bumblebee Meadow. In the words of a recent visitor, "they look as if they are ready to take on the world - all four inches of them! (Thanks Mary-Clare!).
The parents certainly have their work cut out protecting the little ones from predatory crows. Permanently alert, one parent or other will take to the sky to chase off any crow which comes too close for comfort. It's an exhausting task - I watched one lapwing successfully see off six crows, all at the same time - it may have taken a minute or more but the lapwing was definitely more determined than the crows!
Along the Heritage Trail all the woodland birds were singing - from the newly-leafed trees, from the gorse bushes and the willows - as if summer were finally here! There were willow warblers, chaffinches, goldfinches, reed buntings and wrens. For such a tiny, and often overlooked bird, the wren has a surprisingly loud and beautiful song.
As does the reed bunting!
And it does feel as if summer is almost here. The first flowers are out - red campion and bluebells - and the first butterflies have been seen - several green veined white along the Heritage Trail and two small copper butterflies on the path between the hides.
From the Carden Hide we were treated to an outing of greylag geese and their goslings - thirty in total - all out for a wash and a splash, including the adults! There were also many black-headed gulls, a flock of 20 plus tufted ducks, two great crested grebes, pochards, gadwalls, coots, mallards, shelducks and snipe. Amazing to see so many species from a single viewing point!
50th Anniversary Celebrations!
Our celebrations have started! On Monday, RSPB Scotland Loch Leven threw its doors wide open to teenagers from Kinross High School and threw down the challenge of completing 50 nature-themed activities in just one day! Creating a comfortable home for the solitary bee (see photo below) was just one of those activities.
This weekend (13th & 14th May) is our Family Fun Weekend. Why not come along from 10 am to 4.00 pm and you too could try one of our many nature-themed activities. Hope to see you there! Anita
Photo credits: Lapwing chick (Paul Ashcroft); wren (Paul Ashcroft); reed bunting (Alex Gilfillan); small copper butterflies (Paul Ashcroft); snipe (Alex Gilfillan); solitary bee home (Alice O'Rourke)