Wildlife watch on side of loch

Nature-lovers will be able to take part in a guided wildlife watch at a Strath loch.

Kim and Fraser Proven from Lochearnhead’s Briar Cottages and Andrea Hudspeath of St Fillans-based Aquila Ecology will be running a series of events at Loch Earn.

The first will take place on Sunday, May 17, at 10.30am.

Binoculars and telescopes will be supplied.

Ornithologist Terry Williams will be leading the tour.

He said: “Spring marks the return of many migrant birds that breed over the summer months – some returning to the same nest every year.”

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 and pied wagtails and seasonal goldeneye ducks, oyster- catchers, swallows and several raptors.

Fraser 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.”

Tickets for the May event cost £6 and can be booked by sending an email to info@aquilaecologyscotland.co.uk

Further similar events have also been scheduled to take place on July 12 and September 13.