We are now right in the middle of Winter. Monday 18th was officially ‘Blue Monday’ which is noted as the most depressing day of the year. This is due to dark days, poor weather, post-christmas blues and the extra pounds that have accumulated from all of the mince pies. However, if you are feeling low, then sometimes getting some fresh-air, vitamin D (If the sun ever shines) and connecting with nature can make a big difference.
If you are local, why not try and come down to watch the geese at dawn or dusk? We did our January Goose count on Monday and had 8389 Pink-footed Geese on the Loch. This is a brilliant number for this time of year, normally numbers would be a bit lower. The higher count is more than likely due to other smaller wetlands being frozen and forcing the geese to come here; they are more than welcome!

You don’t have to come to the loch to watch the geese, a slow mindfulness walk and being out in the fresh air can make all the difference. I snapped this serene scene earlier in the week. It is said that water can have a calming effect on someone, and here at Loch Leven we have got plenty of it!

It has been another cold week! The temperatures have been hovering around the freezing mark and we are on record to have one of the coldest January in many years. The Ice on the loch has retreated now, but there is still a thin layer around various parts of the loch.


We received another dusting of snow on Wednesday and Thursday. Not as much as last week but enough to transform the Reserve into a wintry wonderland! I am really enjoying the winter weather we have been having recently.





It was nice to get up close and personal to some of the Black-headed Gulls at Kirkgate Park. A kind member of the public was feeding them some oat biscuits! I often check for any colour ringed birds when you can see them closely, unfortunately none this time but I will keep my eyes peeled.



They really are lovely, dainty birds. You will notice that the black-headed gulls don’t have black heads. Well, that is because just now they are in their winter plumage. However, it won’t be too long until we see their chocolate brown heads starting to grow in for the breeding season! (Yes, that is right. Black-headed Gulls actually have brown heads!)
Speaking of breeding season, I spotted this mini Pheasant gathering in Kirkgate Park as well. There were 13 males all mingling around each other, maybe they were sizing up the competition for the breeding season ahead?


Try and get out for a winters walk if you can, make the most of the limited daylight. You won’t regret it! Wildlife and nature is out there to be enjoyed.

Or maybe just ‘coorie up’ and hibernate until the sun comes out in March! 🙂