David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

A large flock of pink-footed geese (above) made a welcome return to the reserve today. Set in beautiful sunshine on a mirror-calm loch, are goldeneye, tufted and teal while curlew are foraging in the scrapes. A white-tailed eagle was spotted over the weekend.

In response to all the enquiries we've had over the last few weeks- yess!- we'll shortly be putting up details of all our events for adults and children happening over the next few months. We'll be starting to take bookings in a couple of weeks time (as soon as details are on the Vane Farm homepage) so nae complaints if you leave it to late and we're fully booked out! You have been warned!

The rain and snowmelt of the last couple of weeks have left the Loch level higher than usual....some of the paths to the hides are flooded, though you can detour through the Bumblebee meadow.

  Steve Knell (rspb-images.com)

One of Loch Leven's more unusual visitors - a black-throated diver (above) - has been seen swimming off St Serf's island. There are four pairs of gadwall on the flood and redpoll continue to be seen on the centre feeders.

  Mark Sisson (rspb-images.com)

Two drake pintail (above) are on the flood amongst teal, mallard and wigeon. Numbers of lapwing continue to grow, making good use of the recently tree-cleared area on the loch shoreline.

  Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)

Female white-tailed eagle H - a 2009 East of Scotland release bird - has made a welcome return to Loch Leven. Although shrouded in mist today, a definite signal has been picked up from one of the islands and hopes of a sighting are high when the weather clears.

  Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)

Lapwing numbers around the reserve are beginning to swell as the breeding season approaches. Brambling are still rooting around below the feeders and a large flock of pink-footed geese, whose numbers have been well down this year, is in the area.

  Roger Wilmshurst (rspb-images.com)

The whooper swan count continues to grow with 68 massed on the flood in glorious sunshine this morning - a perfect setting for budding photographers. A flock of curlew has gathered in the same area and siskin (pictured above) are among the many feeder visitors.

  Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

Redpolls are being seen regularly around the centre feeders and four yellowhammers (above) are foraging at the base of the feeding stations at the Gillman Hide. Teal and wigeon are returning in good numbers to the flood where 38 whooper swans were counted today.

  Steve Round (rspb-images.com)

A drake smew has been observed on the loch and a treecreeper (pictured) spiralling up a trunk just outside the centre. Ten goosander are diving just off the loch shore.

  Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

Goldeneye are active on the increasingly wider expanses of thawed loch. On the reserve, a flock of 90 curlew (pictured above) has gathered to forage, along with 40 lapwing.

  Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Rafts of teal, tufted and wigeon, along with 10 shelduck, have returned to the thawed edges of the loch, despite another overnight drop in temperatures. Whooper swans (pictured) are also back on the reserve as is a flock of around 650 pink-footed geese.

  Niall Benvie (rspb-images.com)

Loch Leven has now thawed, encouraging the return of the usual duck varieties. An otter diving and fishing in the scrapes has been the source of great interest. Our sea eagle is still here but proving far more difficult to spot among the trees on St Serf's island.

Peregrine falcons (pictured) have been seen swooping over the still-frozen wetlands. Female white-tailed eagle H - one of the 2009 release batch, continues to harass the duck on the few open pools of water. Closer to the centre, redpoll have been spotted in the bushes.

The New Year has brought in brighter but still icy weather, restricting much of the bird activity to the feeders around the centre and hides. Nonetheless, a green-winged teal (above) has been identified on the loch and greenshank have also been observed. Long-tailed tits are regular visitors and bullfinches can be seen along the heritage trail.

 Goosander, Steve Round (rspb-images.com)

While the thaw has shifted much of the snow, the reserve, constantly in the shadow of Vane hill at this time of year, remains mostly iced over. Two goosander have joined the teal in some open water close to the loch shore. One of the 2009 released white-tailed eagles continues to patrol the ice both on foot and with brief shallow circling swoops.

Vane continues to offer stunning news in our current icy blast. Visitors venturing out over the festive period should note our opening times.

Christmas Eve - 10am  - 3 pm

Christmas Day and Boxing Day - closed

27th - 30th December - 10am - 4 pm

31st December - 10am - 3 pm

1st and 2nd January - closed

3rd and 4th January - 10 am - 4 pm

  Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

The arctic conditions have seen off many of the varieties normally occupying the loch and wetlands, but an uncommon dipper (above) was reported on the river bank off to the east. A solitary redshank conitues to eke out his living while an immobile flock of whooper swans resemble ice-bound yachts. One almost guaranteed daily sighting continues to be our sea eagle, unmissable against a frozen white…

Chris is currently back in the Isle of Skye....the arrow marks his house....Back at Vane Farm in January!

  Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

A white-tailed eagle has been slithering over the frozen loch for most of the day. Less dramatically, but equally enjoyable, have been the excellent views of brambling (above), siskin and tree sparrows - all from the warmth and comfort of the cafe.

We are open today from 10 to 5.  Coffee shop open for soup and drinks. We are however experiencing power cuts...

Still plenty of bird food in the shop.

Car park is cleared, but paths and trails are still covered in snow, it's thawing fairly quickly though.

Loch Leven is starting to thaw; not many swans and geese about, but our feeding station is very busy...lots of branblings.

Vane Farm will be open today from 11am to 3pm....

The car park has been cleared of deep snow, but is still icy, so take care....

Coffee shop is also open 11 to 3.

Loch Leven is frozen over, looks quite beautiful (unless you're a goose or duck)

Our feeding station is very busy; quite a few Bramblings among the Chaffinches.

Also a Yellowhammer.

  David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

The first biting chill of winter has dusted the reserve with snowy frost and frozen the edges of the shallower scrapes. While numbers remain lower than expected, a large flock of pink-footed geese (above) is feeding on the western fields. Wigeon and teal are abundant on the flood, with only a few tufted, pochard and goldeneye on the loch.