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.
A spell of glorious blue-day skies has put a spring in everyone's step at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven - including the wildlife!
A buzzing has been heard - and spring's first bumblebee seen - in our unique bumblebee meadow - the world's first sanctuary designed specifically to encourage rare and threatened bumblebees to thrive!
And a fabulous day was had at our recent wildlife writing workshop. The calls and antics of great tits, robins, sparrows and red squirrels provided inspiration for many on the day. Down by the Gillman Hide, in nest box P5 we were treated to a splendid nest-building display by a very diligent sparrow. It carried dried grasses to the nest, making numerous journeys. I watched this busy bird squeeze itself into the small circular hole, its feathers condensing to the tiny size of it. After depositing its nest material, it turned immediately to look from the nest box, its dark black head markings most prominent.
From the very small to the very large. The irresistible yammer of geese drew visitors to the Gillman Hide to discover a sky alive with the thrill and squall and clamour of greylag and pinkfoot! Airborne skeins dropped below the snow line of the distant hills to land and take-off again, land and take off, filling the air with restlessness. There is something magical about flocks of birds preparing to make their long journeys north and south - a magic captured in the shimmer of white, grey and silvered-black feathers on the wing.
Geese prepare to depart as lapwings arrive in ever-increasing numbers, enthralling visitors with their cries and flamboyant flying displays. Curlews too are abundant on the reserve just now as are many species of wildfowl: pintails, tufted ducks, goldeneyes, mallards, teals and moor hens to name just a few. Pairs of wigeons have been particularly easy to sight on the water with the chesnut heads of the males ablaze in the sunshine. And our Little Egret, who has been with us since November, seems content to stay for a while longer!
Photo credit: Anna Jemmett - toads; Alex Gilfillan - Geese; Alex Gilfillan - Lapwing