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 discover the woodland trail this morning and to view tree pipits for the very first time! The pipits were sighted where the woodland trail opens out towards the viewpoint.  Here the ground is densely covered with heather and bilberries, with the occasional young birch and rowan also growing. We watched the pipits sing at the very tip of these young trees, then climb into the blue before descending, parachute-like, back into the tree tops.

Willow warblers could also be heard, and wrens, and I was delighted to spot a male bullfinch.

The woodland trail is splendid at this time of year with bluebells, bilberry bushes, wood sorrel, lesser stitchwort and early purple orchids lining the path.

On reaching the Viewpoint, there are fine views of St Serf's Island.

From our vantage point we were able to count 20 or more mute swans on the loch and watch a heron take to the sky along the water's edge.

The calls of greylag geese and gulls were ever-present in the background and finally drew us back to the hides. Visitors had spotted tree sparrows and a sedge warbler from the first and middle hides as well as the usual wildfowl. There are now estimated to be around 20 lapwing chicks on the reserve, with twenty nests still to incubate. This week the chicks have been delighting visitors with their antics close to the Waterston Hide.

Last week, three dotterels arrived for a day visit to the reserve and this week an osprey has been seen on the loch. Also, three great crested grebes have been seen from the Carden Hide in their breeding plumage, sometimes displaying.

50th Anniversary Celebrations!

We've had a wonderful story this week from Ian Mitchell of Dunfermline and a photograph of Loch Leven taken on 19th February 1978!

Ian writes: "During the cold winter of 1977-78 there was a continuous frost for over 6 weeks, day and night.  Loch Leven was completely frozen over. This gave an opportunity for adventure to us Venture Scouts from the 13th Fife Rosyth Group.  Armed with an ice axe to test the thickness of the ice, we cycled from Rosyth through snow drifts in the Cleish Hills to Kinross, and then across the ice to Castle Island where we tied our bikes up at the jetty."

Thank you for your story Ian and for the atmospheric photograph!

If you have a story to tell about the reserve over the past 50 years please send it to Lochleven50@rspb.org.uk

Photo Credits: Willow warbler (William Russell); Woodland walk (Anita John); St Serf's Island (Anita John); Great crested grebe (Alex Gilfillan); Boys on frozen Loch Leven (Ian Mitchell)