April Nature Notes from Loch of the Lowes

lochoflowes At present, Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve are closed due to Covid 19 restrictions.
The staff, volunteers, red squirrels and all the wildlife look forward to welcoming you back when it’s possible.
In the meantime, why not have a look at our live osprey webcam at www.scottishwildlifetrust/thingstodo
Well, we’ve come through a winter of crunchy frost, thick snow, ice-clothed lochs, buffeting winds and floods, let’s see what April brings!
Weather has always been a talking point in Scotland and its changeability is to be embraced (endured) and celebrated. Visitors from hotter climes delight in our fresh air, abundant water and greenery, laughing appreciatively at the phrase ‘Scotland has a lot of weather’.
Where snowdrops and aconites first brought flowers amongst fallen leaves, we will see blossom and bright green new growth on trees and bushes. Forsythia’s yellow flowers (a native of Asia and southern Europe) stand out from the wide spectrum of whites, pinks and crimsons of Scotland’s native trees. Touches of purple start creeping in and then, as the days lengthen, we welcome full blown foliage and a full array of colours.
Migratory birds are returning and the nests of local birds are producing fledglings to hop and scamper around discovering their new world. Everything in Nature is connected to each other and certain flies, caterpillars and bugs hatch just in time to satisfy the demands of new generations of hungry wildlife. Changes in climate mean some wildlife is forced to move location or turn to other food. The Pied Flycatcher and Bluetit, for example, are currently hatching their chicks on average 13 days too late to harvest their staple food of caterpillars.
If you are now seeing Nuthatch in your garden, you are witnessing the steady movement of creatures heading north to seek a cooler climate and the food and shelter associated with those temperatures.
Skylarks
The melodic sound of a Skylark singing high in the sky is wonderful to experience. Do you have them near you? When was the last time you saw or heard a Skylark? Sadly, their numbers are declining due to new farming methods and habitat loss e.g. the new housing development at Luncarty which will cover the old bleaching fields; a favourite place for Skylarks.
Ploughing and seeding a field used to be done in early spring so when ground breeding birds like skylarks were nesting, the crop was tall enough to nestle out of sight. Two or three broods could be raised before the crop was eventually cut. Modern methods sow in autumn, meaning the crop is well grown by Spring and cut earlier, destroying the nests after just one brood.
Taking two or three cuts off a grass field for silage has the same devastating effect.
Thankfully, across Perthshire many farmers retain the old, environmentally friendly practices of early spring ploughing and seeding. If you hear a Skylark – treasure the moment.
Please keep an eye on our website: www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk, social media and local press for news of our re-opening.
Facebook: Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
Twitter: @Lochofthelowes

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