Steve Knell (rspb-images.com)

A drake smew (above) has been observed on the loch among the rafts of pochard and wigeon. A peregrine falcon has been causing a stir, swooping in from neighbouring crags.

  David Kjaer (rspb-images.com)

There is a flurry of activity over the reserve today as hundreds of lapwing (pictured) swoop, soar and land continuously. There was a count of 80 goosander on the loch and pintail have joined the wigeon and teal on the flood. Earlier in the week, eight waxwing were spotted on a bush in the car park.

  Peter Cairns (rspb-images.com)

White-tailed eagle, wing-marked X, from this year's Fife release has made another appearance at the reserve. Meanwhile, pink-footed goose and greylag numbers continue to be well below traditional levels, although picking out white-fronted geese from the flocks remains an interesting challenge.

   Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

Shelduck have joined the increasing wintering flocks of teal, pochard and tufted duck. There has been an exceptionally high count of 634 Whooper swans on the loch. A flock of 30 fieldfare (pictured) has been spotted in willow scrub on the edge of the reserve.

  Steve Round (rspb-images.com)

There have been good views of a Slavonian grebe in winter plumage close to the loch shore. The Gilman Hide has been an excellent spot to watch the swoopings of a sparrowhawk who has found a new hunting patch.

  Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Two Greenland white-fronted geese (above) have been observed among the fluctuating flocks of pink-footed geese as they swoop in and out of the reserve. Piercing early winter sunshine is showing a wide variety of duck at their best. In nearby Kinross, the first flock of waxwing has been reported.

  Tony Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

A barnacle goose can be found among the pink-footed flocks numbering around 1800 this morning. Whooper swans (pictured) have gathered around the loch shore and there are shelduck and wigeon on the flood fringes.

   Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com)

Today's pink-footed goose count on Loch Leven was rudely interrupted (much to the consternation of those who had totalled close to 4000 up to that point) with the sudden appearance of a white-tailed eagle who tried unsuccessfully to bring down one of the fleeing flock. Numbers of great-crested grebes (pictured) have climbed to around 30.

    Jeroen Stel (rspb-images.com)

Sharp early autumn sunshine is providing a stunning setting for a huge variety of duck - shoveler, wigeon, pochard, teal, gadwall and, of course, tufted. A little egret (pictured) is a more unusual highlight for visitors to the reserve where flocks of pink-footed geese are resting more regularly close to the hides and on St Serf's.

  Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)

Visiting pink-footed geese numbers are growing with each passing day. And there are sizeable flocks of tufted duck, gadwall, teal and mallard all emerging now from their summer moult.

   Richard Brooks (rspb-images.com)

The first of the returning pink-footed geese have arrived at the reserve. A dozen whooper swans are on the loch and a marsh harrier (above) is wheeling around the wetlands close to the Carden hide. One white-tailed eagle remains, flitting from fence post to ground.

   Steve Round (rspb-images.com)

Two young white-tailed eagles, released from Fife last year, have made a welcome return to the reserve. There is also a little egret (pictured) on the flood (where an otter made a brief apprearance today) and sightings of a black tern on the loch shore.

  David Norton (rspb-images.com)

Both marsh and hen harrier have been wheeling over the reserve in recent days. Four ringed plover (above) are scuttling over the sand in Vane Bay where there is a variety of duck, including pintail. Dunlin, greenshank, snipe, common sandpiper and ruff are also visible.

   Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)

One of the recently released white-tailed eagles has been in view for most of the day on the eastern edge of Loch Leven. Closer to the centre, there have been sightings of greenshank, black-tailed godwit and a late departing swift.

   Whinchat, Mike Lane (rspb-images.com)

Numbers of shoveler in moult are growing on the loch edge. There was significant interest earlier in the week with a brief but confirmed sighting of a white-winged tern. A juvenile marsh harrier and whinchat have also been identified.

   Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

A plethora of wading birds can be seen, particularly from the Carden Hide. The pectoral sandpiper, seen only fleetingly earlier in the week, has been in plain view most of the day, along with greenshank (photographed), snipe and dunlin. An osprey flew low over the centre this morning.

    Chris Knights (rspb-images.com)

Rare sightings of a pectoral sandpiper have been recorded over the past few days. While not seen regularly, this migrant wader has been confirmed foraging in various parts of the reserve.

Design a miniature garden and show us what makes a good home for wildlife.

A vegetable patch, a minibeast mansion even a pond with fish; you can have whatever you want in your model garden.

Our competition is open to everyone and entries will be divided into 3 age groups: under 6 years old, 6-16 years old, 17 years plus.

Costs £1 to enter (one entry per person).

Entries should be handed into the reserve by…

  Richard Revels (rspb-images.com)

Wader numbers are on the increase and there has been a relatively rare sighting of a little ringed plover. Snipe and dunlin can also be seen around the pool edges and there are common sandpiper off to the east of the reserve.

     Steve Round (rspb-images.com)

A juvenile ruff has been seen on the edges of the reserve and an osprey spotted from the Waterston hide fishing round the flood and pools. Newly fledged swallows are in evidence throughout the reserve.

  Bob Glover (rspb-images.com)

Both wood sandpiper (above) and green sandpiper are present on the western edges of the reserve. Up on the hill, tree pipits can be seen in parachuting mode while, elsewhere, wheatear are still in evidence.

   Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com)  

Two dunlin have been observed on the Carden flood where redshank, black-tailed godwit and oystercatchers are also in evidence. Young siskin frequent the centre feeders and newly fledged swallows are perching on wires just two feet from the cafe windows.

  David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Newly hatched swallows are peering from their nests in the centre toilet block while neighbouring parents continue to sit on eggs. A cuckoo has been seen on Vane hill and a greenshank has been foraging on the flood edges.

There have been sightings of a red-necked grebe on the south bank of Loch Leven. Five black-tailed godwits have been observed from the Carden hide where the great-crested grebe chicks continue to flourish and grow.

 Mark Sisson (rspb-images.com)

There has been an unseasonal sighting of a moulting drake smew on the loch where an osprey made several unsuccessful fly-bys before departing "fishless". Closer to the centre, siskin have been visiting the feeders.