Chance to take part in wildlife watch on banks of Loch Earn
Nature lovers will be able to take part in a guided wildlife watch at a Perthshire loch later this year.
Kim and Fraser Proven from Briar Cottages and Andrea Hudspeath of Aquila Ecology will be running a series of lochside nature viewing events at Loch Earn as part of Scotland’s year of coasts and waters.
The first event will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 10.30am.
Binoculars and telescopes will be supplied by St Fillans-based Aquila Ecology, and those taking part can learn more about the loch’s resident wildlife.
OrnithologistTerry Williams will be leading the tour.
He said:“May is an excellent time for this event as spring marks the return of many migrant birds that breed over the summer months - some returning to the same nest every year.
“Aquila Ecology’s base is in St Fillans on Loch Earn where we organise nature watching excursions all year round.
“We are also delighted to work with individuals and groups on bespoke nature tours and sessions.”
The tour group will meet at Briar Cottages in Lochearnhead, which is right on the banks of Loch Earn.
Guests at the cottages have reported seeing a number of different creatures at the lochside, including otters, slow worms, pine martens, deer and stags, red kites and red squirrels, as well as garden birds such as robins, bullfinches, pied wagtails and seasonal goldeneye ducks, oystercatchers and swallows.
Fraser Proven from Briar Cottages hopes those taking part might even be able to see an osprey or an eagle.
He said:“We are looking forward to hosting lochside nature watch events and welcoming new guests.
“It will be helpful to learn from Andrea and Terry about the species that are attracted to our garden on Loch Earn.”
To book onto the May nature watch, tickets cost £6 and can be booked by emailing info@ aquilaecologyscotland. co.uk
Summer and autumn nature watches at Loch Earn have also been scheduled from July 12 and September 13.