We’ve flocked to nature site
Upsurge in visitors to Loch Leven
Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) has welcomed an upsurge in visitors in 2020 and has lots to offer the public over the Christmas period.
There were over a million estimated visitors to NNRs across Scotland and the figure is an increase from an estimated 650,000 in recent years.
The increase, initially due to lockdown, was followed by continued interest and enthusiasm across the nation for spending time in nature in this difficult year.
Visitors to the Kinross-shire reserve were able to enjoy a unique take on the 12 days of Christmas at Burleigh
Sands over the past few weeks.
Visitors followed the signs to find the 12 Birds of Christmas, which ended at a bird hide where visitors try and spot all the birds from the trail and be able to identify them.
Many families, dog walkers and visitors have already enjoyed the trail.
There is plenty to see at Loch Leven during winter, from whooper swans to pink-footed geese to squirrels and deer, and they are often easier to spot at this time of year because of the bare trees.
NatureScot chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “People throughout Scotland have been enjoying spending time outdoors more than ever in 2020.
“Nature is helping us all cope with anxiety throughout this difficult time and strengthening our resilience.
!I’d encourage people to get out and enjoy their local national nature reserves over the holiday season.”
It was not just a good year for people, winged visitors were in abundance too.
The goose count at Loch Leven have been good this year, with 11,407 pink-footed geese in October and 9301 in November.
There have also been sightings of six little egrets, with other notable sightings including eight Slavonian grebes, 1500 coots, 580 goldeneye, 500 mute swans, 2000 tufted ducks and 200 whooper swans.