Loch of the Lowes

lochoflowes This is the time of year when we want to be inside, cosy, sipping a cup of something and watching the birds on our feeders. Recently at Loch of the Lowes we were incredibly fortunate to see Goldfinch on the sunflower hearts The Goldfinch has such striking colours that they manage to brighten up even the dullest of days. At the centre we see many Chaffinches. However, all is not as it seems. Look again, carefully at the chaffinches, especially when its cold possibly with snow on the ground. If you are lucky you may spot a Brambling (Fringilla Montifringilla). As you see in the photograph, taken at Falls of Clyde by a volunteer called Jim Ness, Brambling and Chaffinch are really very similar. The Brambling is on the left and the Chaffinch on the right. The Brambling is a type of finch which eats seeds, beech mast (a mast is when a tree produces a large volume of nuts in a year) and berries. Some Brambling are locals but others may have migrated from Russia or Scandinavia in search of food.
A few tips about feeding the birds. Consider which birds you have or want to attract as their beaks and food preferences differ. The finch type birds crunch down on seeds like sunflowers, niger seeds and millet. Birds like blackbirds, thrushes, fieldfare, redwings and robins have a “soft bill” so don’t eat the hard seeds. They eat worms, insects, suet, rolled oats, sunflower hearts and fruit.
Woodpeckers and Tits like peanuts and suet. Watch out for the Coal Tit taking a small piece of nut or seed and stowing it away for later.
It is important to clean feeders regularly with bird specific cleanser. We have tube brushes and bird safe cleaner in the shop. Unfortunately without hygiene birds can get diseases such as Bird Flu (a virus), Trichomonosis (caused by a parasite) and Salmonella (a bacterial infection).
Water is important for birds to wash and drink.
Remember to melt any ice with warm water. Salt or grit is toxic for birds.
Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am to 4.00pm at this time of year. Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, PH8 0HH
Tel: 01350 727 337
Email: lochofthelowes@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
For any events of the Scottish Wildlife Trust see https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlifeevents/
It is important to note that the paths are never treated so take care not to slip, especially if there is ice. The paths can also be uneven.

Image Credit: Jim Ness

Loch of the Lowes

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