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.
The swallows are definitely back! Returning with the sunshine (after a snowy start to the week!) and small clouds of black flies along the Heritage Trail. Impressive how these migratory birds time their return to coincide with their food source! Their chitterings could be heard loud and clear in the courtyard today and it was a joy to take time out to watch their spitfire flight patterns. They are busy repairing their summer residencies in and around the entrance to the reserve (with mud from outside the waterston hide) in time to start egg-laying.
For the greylag geese the youngsters have arrived already and this pair still have their original quota of eight goslings (for the time being) - although two are not in the picture! Other pairs of greylag had to deal with the antics of calves searching for their mothers on the grassy banks of the wetlands by the Carden Hide - an activity which they mostly ignored. There was, however, much careering back and forth through the water until cows and calves had matched themselves up!
Despite the sunshine, the cold northwesterly meant most waders, geese and wildfowl were sheltering near the Carden Hide - excellent for viewing! There were redshanks, a single snipe and the nine black-tailed godwits that have been with us for a few weeks now - beautiful in their summer plumage and happily probing the water's edge. On the far banks, a flock of 50 or more tufted ducks were active on the water.
Also to be seen were shelducks, mallards, shovellers, potchards and gadwalls. From a distance, the gadwalls look unexceptional but close up, the male's markings are subtly beautiful. It would seem as if the tail has been dipped in the deepest black ink; its breast is finely vermiculated; and the feathers on its back, in sunlight, are streaked the colour of golden sand. According to Robin Hull, the gadwall "has bred on Loch Leven since 1909." (1) It may well become one of my favourite wildfowl!
More unusual sightings this week have included two ruffs on the flood, a single whimbrel and six golden plovers. The cold snap earlier in the week brought in redpolls to the feeders (at home too we had redpolls, siskins and goldfinches all on the feeders at the same time!). The wheatears are back and roe deer and brown hare have been spotted on the reserve in recent days.
50th Anniversary Celebrations!
In October of this year, RSPB Scotland Loch Leven will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. From mid-May onwards we'll be collecting memories, stories and photographs from visitors and workers alike - all those people, in fact, who have helped make the reserve what it is today. Here, Alice O'Rourke, our Visitor Experience Officer, discusses the reserve and our upcoming celebrations with Mark Stephen of BBC Radio Scotland Out of Doors (01:03:47 mins into programme).
And to whet your appetite, here is a photo of the visitor centre in the early 70s!
Until next week! Anita
Photo credits: Swallow (Paul Ashcroft); Greylag geese (Alex Gilfillan); Blacktailed godwits (Alex Gilfillan); Gadwalls (Paul Ashcroft)
References: (1) Scottish Birds, Culture and Tradition by Robin Hull (Mercat Press, Edinburgh, 2001)